Guangzhou (Chinese: 广州; Mandarin pronunciation: [ku̯ɑ̀ŋʈʂɤ́ʊ̯]), known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about 120 km (75 mi) north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port.[