Fujian (福建 Wade-Giles transliteration Fuch'ien) is one of the provinces on the southeast coast of China. The name Fujian comes from the combination of Fuzhou and Jian'ou, two cities in Fujian. Name was coined during Tang Dynasty.
| Province Abbreviations: 闽 min3 | |
| Capital | Fuzhou |
| Area - Total - % water | Ranked xth 121,400 km2 xx% |
| Population
- Density | Ranked xth
286/km² |
| Administration Type | Province |
History
Because Fujian's mountainous terrain, it was the most secluded province in eastern China before People's Republic. There was no railroad in the province and paved roads did not reach most areas. Sea route was the main mean of transport into and out of the province. For this reason, modern industry was rare in Fujian until People's Republic. During early People's Republic, Fujian's transportation was further hampered by US blockade of Taiwan Strait. First railroad to the province was completed in mid-1950s connecting Xiamen to the rest of the nation.
Geography
The province is located on the southeastern coast of China. It borders Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west, and Guangdong to the southwest.
The provincial is mostly mountainous. Mount Wuyi borders Fujian and Jiangxi. Mount Wuyi contains the highest point in the province, which is 2100 meters above see level. The widest river in the province is Min River, which is where the province get its abbreviation. The province facest East China Sea to the east, South China Sea to the south, and Taiwan Strait to the southest.
The provincial government has immediate jurisdiction over 9 administrative prefectures and municipalities, made up of 64 counties and cities.
Fujian is separated from Taiwan by 180 km wide Taiwan Strait. Some of the small islands in the Taiwan Strait are also part of the province. Small parts of the province, namely the islands of Quemoy and Matsu are under the administration of the Republic of China on Taiwan. Within the ROC, the administration of Fujian province has been frozen.
Major cities:
Economy
Xiamen is one of the first cities to be classified as Special Economic Zone.
Demographics
Han Chinese makes up most of the population. She is the largest ethnic minorities.
Culture
Tourism
Places of interest include:
- Mount Wuyi, listed by the UNESCO as one of the World Heritage Sites (1999)
- Kaiyuan Temple, Quanzhou
- Yongquan Temple, Fuzhou
- Guanghua Temple, Putian
- Nanshan Temple, Zhangzhou