Nanjing (also spelled Nan-ching or Nanking), city, eastern China, capital of Jiangsu Province, a port on the Yangtze River. Principal manufactures include cement, fertilizer, chemicals, electronic equipment, iron and steel, motor vehicles, and machine tools. Nanjing University, Nanjing Union Theological Seminary (1952), and a noted astronomical observatory are here. Landmarks include a bridge (1968) over the Yangtze, the tomb (built 1925-1929) of Sun Yat-sen, and remnants of a 14th-century Ming emperor's tomb.
Nanjing was founded in the 8th century BC. Under various names, it was the national capital from the 3rd to the 6th century AD and for parts of the 10th, 14th, and 15th centuries. When Beijing became the imperial capital in 1421, the city took the name Nanjing, meaning Southern Capital. It was renamed Chiang-ning during the Qing (Ch'ing) dynasty (1644-1911) and reverted to Nanjing in 1912. The city was heavily damaged (1853-1864) during the Taiping Rebellion. It was declared a treaty port and opened to foreign trade in 1860.
Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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