Cao County or Caoxian is a county in Heze City in southwestern Shandong Province, China. It borders Henan Province to the west.

History

Bo, one of the capitals of the Shang dynasty, lay in what is now Cao. Prior to the Boxer Rebellion, Cao was an area noted for its lawlessness. When local garrisons were weakened during the First Sino-Japanese War, a militia known as the Dadaohui ("Great Sword Company") was set up. It operated until 1895 and may have inspired some of the Boxer Rebellion.

Administrative divisions

As of 2012, this County is divided to 5 subdistricts, 19 towns, 1 ethnic town and 2 townships.

Demographics

Cao County, under Heze City in Shandong Province, China, according to the latest statistics, had a population of 1,682,369. The county covers an area of approximately 1,970 square kilometers with a population density of 854 people per square kilometer. The population comprises mainly the Han Chinese ethnic group; however, it also has other ethnic groups. Cao County is an extensive agricultural producer from wheat and cotton to an expanding industrial base of manufacturing and textiles.

Climate

Transport