Zhejiang, also Chekiang, province in eastern China, bordering on the East China Sea. One of the smallest of the Chinese provinces, it includes the southern half of the populous Yangtze River delta in the north; a complex of rugged mountain ranges, with heights of more than 1,900 m (6,200 ft) in places, in the south; and the offshore islands of the Zhoushan Archipelago, situated at the entrance to Hangzhou Bay. Hang-chou is the largest city and serves as the capital of the province.

After the Chinese Revolution (1911-12), Chekiang became a power base for the Nationalist Party of Chiang Kai-shek, who was born in the province. During World War II, most of Chekiang was occupied by the Japanese. It was little affected by the 1946-49 civil war.

Rice and silk are important lowland crops, with tea a major product in upland areas. Leading industries are fishing, traditional handicrafts, and the manufacture of cotton and silk textiles, machinery, and chemicals. Important cities include Hangzhou and the ports of Ningbo and Wenzhou.

Major industrial towns are Hangzhou, Huzhou, Jiaxing, Yuyao, Ningbo, Jinhua, Quzhou, Wenzhou, Linhai and Zhuxi.

Area 102,000 sq km (39,400 sq mi); population 46,770,000.

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