Suizhou


Suizhou, formerly Sui County, is a prefecture-level city in northern Hubei province, People's Republic of China, bordering Henan province to the north and east.

Etymology

The Sui in Suizhou is derived from the ancient 'Suishizu' .

Administration

The prefecture-level city of Suizhou administers 5 county-level divisions, including 1 district, 1 county-level city, 1 county and 2 other areas.
These are further divided into 54 township-level divisions, including 36 towns, 11 townships and 7 subdistricts.
Map

Geography

History

Suizhou has a long history. During the Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States Period, it was the territory of the State of Sui/Zeng and within the cultural sphere of the State of Chu. As a prefecture-level city Suizhou has a short history with its current status only granted by the State Council in June 2000.

Religion

The Catholic minority is pastorally served by its own pre-diocesan Apostolic Prefecture of Suixian which is exempt, i.e. directly dependent on the Holy See, not part of any ecclesiastical province.
It was established on 1937.06.17 as Apostolic Prefecture of Suixian / Suihsien / Suihsienen, on territory split off from the Apostolic Vicariate of Hankou.
It is vacant since 1951, without apostolic administrator since 1981, having had only the following incumbents :
Suizhou is served by the Hankou–Danjiangkou Railway.