T'ainan, formerly Taiwanfu, city, southwestern Taiwan, on Taiwan Strait, near Kaohsiung. The city is a major economic and cultural center, containing rice and sugar mills and ironworks. It is the site of National Cheng Kung University (1927). Founded in the late 16th century, it became the capital of the island under the rule of Cheng Ch'eng-kung, better known to the West as Koxinga, and his sons. The city remained capital of the island until 1885, when the government was transferred to Taipei. Population (1997 estimate) 710,954.
