Shanhua District
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Shanhua 善化區 |
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|---|---|
| District | |
| Shanhua District | |
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 Location of Shanhua District in Tainan |
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| Country | Republic of China (Taiwan) |
| Special municipality | Tainan |
| Area | |
| • Total | 55.31 km2 (21.36 sq mi) |
| Population (January 2016) | |
| • Total | 46,931 |
| • Density | 769.25/km2 (1,992.3/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CST (UTC+8) |
| Postal code | 741 |
| Website | http://web2.tainan.gov.tw/shanhua/ |
Shanhua District (Chinese: 善化區; pinyin: Shànhuà Qū; Wade–Giles: Shan-hua; literally: "amelioration") is a suburban district of Tainan, a special municipality located in southwestern Taiwan, about 20 km northeast of Anping. Until December 25, 2010, it was an urban township in the dissolved Tainan County, which is now merged with the original Tainan City to form a single special municipality.
Contents
History
Shanhua was inhabited by the Taiwanese aboriginal tribe of Siraya, who called it Bakaloan (Chinese: 目加溜灣社; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Ba̍k-ka-liù-oan siā) (see also Anding, bordering to the southwest). It was one of the four major towns (Chinese: 社) established by the tribe.
In 1625, the Dutch East India Company was driven back by the aborigines while trying to collect bamboo. The Dutch, however, were able to conquer the town in 1635, and started setting up schools and churches in the area, calling the place Tevoran[1] (see modern-day Yujing). They encouraged Han settlers to cultivate the place.
In the Siege of Fort Zeelandia, Koxinga drove the Europeans out of Taiwan. Under the Kingdom of Tungning, Bakaloan was governed as Shanhua Village of Tien-hsing County (Chinese: 天興縣) of the Kingdom of Tungning. According to the Shanhua Urban Plan Total Review Report, the old name for the region is Wanli (灣裡) before it was changed back again to Shanhua Village (善化庄) under Japanese rule in 1920.[2] In 1940, the village was upgraded to Zenka Town (善化街), Shinka District (新化郡), Tainan Prefecture.
Government
Until December 25, 2010, the chief executive of Shanhua Township was the popularly elected magistrate (Chinese: 鎮長). The township also had a council (Chinese: 善化鎮民代表會) consisting of councillors elected from the township.
Since the current administrative arrangement came into effect on the above date, a director (Chinese: 區長) appointed by the mayor of Tainan City is in charge of the administration of the newly created district.
Economy
Shanhua has an agricultural economy. Major products of the township include rice, sugarcane, strawberry, and watermelon.[3]
In 1973, the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC) was co-established by eleven nations including the United States, Japan, and the Republic of China (Taiwan). It has the goal to improve agricultural techniques. The headquarters of the organization is located in the southern part of Shanhua, and is the first and only headquarters of an international organization located in Taiwan.
The National Science Council of the Executive Yuan founded the Tainan Science Park based in Sinshih. Part of the park lies within Shanhua, and brings job opportunities to local residents.
Notable natives （當地著名人物）
- Shen Guang-wen (沈光文) (1612–1688), Scholar, Poet, Educator and the founder of Taiwanese literature. another name Taiwanese Confucius.
- Huang Ta-chou (黃大洲) (1936) Taiwan politician, The former mayor of Taipei, The chairman of the Chinese Taipei Olympic committee.
- Deng Feng-Zhou (鄧豐洲) (1949), Taiwanese poet, Local history writer, Nedan academics.
Tourist attractions
Qing-An Gong
The Qing-An Gong (simplified Chinese: 庆安宫; traditional Chinese: 慶安宮; pinyin: Qìng-ān gōng) is a temple, which is almost 300 years old, dedicated to goddess Matsu. According to oral tradition, the Dutch set up a Dutch language school here when they ruled Taiwan.[2]
Transportation
- Taiwan Railway Administration
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Formosa Freeway
- Shanhua Interchange
- Provincial Highway No.1
See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shanhua District, Tainan. |
References
- About Shanhua Township: Industry, Shanhua Township Government
- Tang Te-chien (唐德塹). Local Records of Shanhua Township (《善化鎮鄉土誌》), 1982
