州 (Zhou) was first used as an administrative division in Pre-QIN era during 2607 BC to 2110 BC, it was most similar to the meaning of STATE. China was divided into 9 州 (states) at that time. read more
when "zhou" is at the end with a location name (like a city name, county name), it means "city, or town, or county,,,". for example, Suzhou, means Su-city, Yangzhou means Yang-city, Changzhou means Chang-city. read more