Why is Nanyang called the second largest city in China?

Why is Nanyang called the second largest city in China? The reasons are as follows:

Nanyang has a permanent population of 9713112 people and Zhengzhou has a permanent population of 12600574 people. The difference between the two is 2887462 people. Nanyang still ranks second in the province. Although Nanyang has a large population, its economic development is not particularly good. In 2020, Nanyang's total GDP was approximately 392.586 billion yuan, ranking third in the province, second only to Zhengzhou and Luoyang.

In the same year, Zhengzhou’s GDP was about 1.2003 billion yuan, about three times that of Nanyang. Luoyang’s GDP was about 512.836 billion yuan, about 120 billion yuan more than Nanyang. Although Nanyang's economic development is not very good, this does not affect Nanyang as a good place with convenient transportation, profound cultural heritage, and it is also a famous tourist city in the Central Plains.

Nanyang, also known as Nandu, Imperial Township, Jade Capital, and Medicine Capital, is named after it is located south of Funiu Mountain and north of Han River. It is mainly located in the southwest of Henan Province, at the junction of Henan, Hubei, and Shaanxi provinces. , an important transportation hub in the central region. The special geographical location makes Nanyang connect the east and the west, connecting the north and the south. The transportation is particularly convenient, integrating highways, railways and aviation.

Although Nanyang is not one of the eight ancient capitals of China like Luoyang and Zhengzhou, it still has a rich history and culture. It is an important birthplace of Chu-Han culture. About five to six thousand years ago, agriculture, animal husbandry, etc. appeared here. Famous historical stories such as Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage, Cowherd and Weaver Girl, and Pangu Myth all originated in Nanyang.

The long history has left Nanyang with a dazzling culture, especially the culture of the Han Dynasty. Some scholars once said, “To study the culture of the Han Dynasty, you can only go to Nanyang, Henan Province.” Nanyang is the representative of the culture of the Han Dynasty.