He Who Controls the Central Plains Will Control the Whole Country
There are a couple of idiomatic Chinese phrases expressing the idea that he who controls the Central Plains will control the whole country. This proves the important position of the Central Plains, where Henan Province is located, in China for thousands of years.
In ancient China, the Central Plains region was thought to be the political, economic, cultural and transportation center, boasting the largest number of capitals of the most dynasties for the longest history. Four of the eight major ancient capitals – Luoyang, Kaifeng, Anyang, and Zhengzhou – are located in Henan Province. In addition, with its favorable geographic position, convenient transportation to other places, and fertile land, Henan was an important breadbasket in ancient times.
The Central Plains region is the cradle of the Chinese nation. The profound cultural heritage and ancient civilization of the region have nourished and powered the birth, growth, and prosperity of the Chinese nation. Because of the unique geographical and cultural advantages, the Central Plains remained a strategic stronghold that ancient statesmen and military strategists had vied for, and the region's rise and fall, peace and chaos bore on the destiny of the entire country and nation. The saying that "he who controls the Central Plains will control the whole country" well demonstrates the irreplaceable core position of the region in state governance and the Chinese civilization.
得中原者得天下
“得中原者得天下”這一古語意為得到中原這塊地區的人，就可以得到天下。 “逐鹿中原”“問鼎中原”等古語都闡明了一個道理，即河南省所在的中原地區，是中國幾千年來的核心地區，執政并治理好中原，方可鼎立天下。
在古代，中原地區被視為政治、經濟、文化和交通中心，是中國建都朝代最多、建都歷史最長、古都數量最多的地區。在中國建都時間較長的八大古都中，河南省占據4個，包括洛陽、開封、安陽和鄭州。河南地理位置優越，通往各地的交通都比較便利，大部分地區都處在華北平原上，土壤肥沃，是中國古代的重要糧倉。
在中華民族綿延不斷的歷史進程中，中原地區是華夏民族的搖籃，是中華民族產生、發展的核心區域，其深厚的文化積淀和悠久的文明為中華民族的茁壯成長提供了充足營養和不竭動力。中原地區由于獨特的區位與文化優勢，成為古代政治家、軍事家爭奪的戰略要地，其治亂興衰直接關系到整個國家和民族的命運。“得中原者得天下”就是反映了中原地區在國家政治和中華文明中無可替代的核心地位。
