a maritime province of China, bounded on the N. by the gulf of Pe-che-li, E. and S.E. by the Yellow Sea, S. by Kiang-su and Honan, W. and N.W. by Pe-che-li. Area, 65,216 square miles. The eastern portion forms a peninsula projecting into the sea, and separating the gulf of Pe-che-li from the Yellow Sea. This part is mountainous, but the rest of the province consists of a plain traversed by the Imperial Canal. It is intersected by several rivers, but none of any great size fall into the sea, if we except the Hoang-ho, which only forms the boundary for a short distance. The coast is bold, and has many harbours, but no large seaport towns. The chief productions are wheat, millet, indigo, coarse silk, and carpets. Pop. (1812) 28,958,764, (1843) 30,000,000.