Wheat is the major crop, and Henan leads all of China in its area of cultivation and production. Millet, sorghum, soybeans, corn, rice, cotton, tobacco, and oilseeds also are grown. Yellow oxen, pigs, sheep, and goats are raised. Henan is one of China's oldest centers of silkworm raising and silk export. Mineral deposits include coal, iron, and lead.
Chief industries are tractor assembly, textiles, cigarettes, and food processing.
Archaeological findings of Neolithic and Shang Bronze Age cultures indicate that Henan was an early center of the beginnings of Chinese civilization. Anyang, Kaifeng, and Luoyang have been national capitals of several Chinese dynasties. The Learning Company, Inc.