Heze, formerly known as Caozhou, is the westernmost prefecture-level city in Shandong province, China, bordering Jining to the east and the provinces of Henan and Anhui to the west and south respectively. The total area is 12238.62 square kilometers and the population is 10.58 million. It governs Mudan District and Dingtao District, 2 districts and 7 counties including Caoxian, Chengwu, Shanxian, Juye, Yuncheng, Juancheng and Dongming.