Yu is the shortened form of Henan Province, with Zhenzhou as the provincial capital.

Henan has a continental climate of the North Temperate Zone, with hot, rainy summers, dry, inclement winters and windy springs. It has a mean temperature of 13℃-15℃, increasing from north to south, an annual frost-free period of 6-8 months, and a mean annual precipitation of 600-900 mm., also increasing from north to south.

As one of the major birthplaces of the Chinese civilization, Henan has several epoch-making archeological discoveries, including the Peiligang Culture Site dating back 7,000 years, Yanshao Culture Site of some 6,000 years ago, and Dahe Culture Site of more than 5,000 years ago. In ancient China, more than 20 dynasties established their capitals in Henan. Three of China's seven great ancient capitals are located in Henan: Anyang of the Shang Dynasty, Luoyang of nine dynasties and Kaifeng of seven dynasties. Three of ancient China's four great inventions, the compass, paper-making and gunpowder, were made in Henan. Over 1000 thinkers, statesmen, militarists, litterateurs, artists and scientists, etc were born in Henan Province. The province numbers first in the whole country in terms of underground cultural relics, and the second in existing cultural relics on the ground.

Henan has highly developed agriculture and industries. Its agricultural products of wheat, cotton, tobacco, sesame and peanut are among the most important in the whole country. Its output of coal and petroleum holds an important position in China.

Henan, holding a very important position in Chinese history, abounds in tourist resources. The places of interest include Songshan Mountain, Jigong Mountain, the Imperial Mausoleum of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256BC), the White Horse Temple in Luoyang, the Longmen Grotto, the Chancellor Temple in Kaifeng, the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, the Zhongyue Temple and so on.

Luoyang City of Henan is a renowned historic city, which was once the capital of 13 dynasties. It is recognized as the Capital of Poems for its abundance in literati and the Capital of Flowers for its typical flower peony.