Taiyuan, also Taiyüan or T'ai-yüan, formerly Yang-ch'u, city, northern China, capital of Shanxi Province, on the Fen River. It is a transportation and industrial center for China's major coalfield. Principal manufactures include fertilizer, chemicals, iron and steel, industrial machinery, cement, and aluminum. Shanxi Agronomy College is here.
Taiyuan was founded in the 3rd century BC near the ancient city of Chin-yang, a part of the Chao state (453-221BC). It was an important Buddhist center in the 6th century AD and was at times the northern capital of the Tang (T'ang) emperors (618-907). In 982 a new city was established west of the old center. Taiyuan became capital of Shanxi during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). The city was known as Yang-ch'u during 1912-47. An early industrial center, Taiyuan was expanded into a major metallurgical and chemical center after 1949. Population (1991) 1,711,709.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Taiyuan Information info
|
