Handan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Handan
邯郸
Prefecture-level city
邯郸市
Location of Handan City jurisdiction in Hebei
Handan is located in Hebei
Handan
Location of the city centre in Hebei
Coordinates: 36°36′N 114°29′E / 36.600°N 114.483°E / 36.600; 114.483
Country People's Republic of China
Province Hebei
Area
 • Prefecture-level city 12,087 km2 (4,667 sq mi)
 • Metro 619 km2 (239 sq mi)
Population (2010)
 • Prefecture-level city 9,174,679
 • Density 760/km2 (2,000/sq mi)
 • Metro 1,371,399
 • Metro density 2,200/km2 (5,700/sq mi)
Time zone China Standard (UTC+8)
Licence plate prefixes D
Website hd.gov.cn

Handan (simplified Chinese: 邯郸; traditional Chinese: 邯鄲; pinyin: Hándān) is a prefecture-level city located in the southwestern part of Hebei province, People's Republic of China. It borders Xingtai on the north, and the provinces of Shanxi on the west, Henan on the south and Shandong on the east.

History[edit]

Handan was the capital of the State of Zhao during the Warring States period (475−221 BCE), after the capital moved from Zhongmu. The city was conquered by the State of Qin after the virtual annexation of Zhao by Qin except for the Dai Commandery. The first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang visited the city once and ordered all enemies of his mother to be buried alive.

Handan was still regarded as a commercial centre during the Western and Eastern Han Dynasties (206 BCE−220 CE) but slowly it declined, perhaps because of the numerous battles that ravaged northern China following the Han Dynasty. Handan is now mainly an industrial city. It still has some attractions, most derived from Zhao folklore such as the road into which Lin Xiangru, courier of the precious jade He Shi Bi, backed in order to let his nemesis Lian Po pass first as well as the location in which Lian Po begged for Lin Xiangru's forgiveness.

Administration[edit]

The population at the 2010 census was estimated at 1,371,000 for the built up area and 9,174,679 for the entire Prefecture-level city area of 12,087 km2 (4,667 sq mi).

The municipal executive, legislative and judiciary are situated in Congtai District (丛台区, Cóngtái Qū), as well as the CPC and Public Security bureaux.

Map
Handan mcp.png
# Name Hanzi Hanyu Pinyin Population (2004 est.) Area (km²) Density (/km²)
1 Congtai District 丛台区 Cóngtái Qū 330,000 28 11,786
2 Hanshan District 邯山区 Hánshān Qū 310,000 32 9,688
3 Fuxing District 复兴区 Fùxīng Qū 250,000 37 6,757
4 Fengfeng Mining District 峰峰矿区 Fēngfēng Kuàngqū 500,000 353 1,416
5 Wu'an City 武安市 Wǔ'ān Shì 720,000 1,806 399
6 Handan County 邯郸县 Hándān Xiàn 400,000 522 766
7 Linzhang County 临漳县 Línzhāng Xiàn 590,000 744 793
8 Cheng'an County 成安县 Chéng'ān Xiàn 370,000 485 763
9 Daming County 大名县 Dàmíng Xiàn 750,000 1,052 713
10 She County 涉县 Shè Xiàn 390,000 1,509 258
11 Ci County 磁县 Cí Xiàn 640,000 1,035 618
12 Feixiang County 肥乡县 Féixiāng Xiàn 310,000 496 625
13 Yongnian County 永年县 Yǒngnián Xiàn 860,000 898 958
14 Qiu County 邱县 Qiū Xiàn 200,000 448 446
15 Jize County 鸡泽县 Jīzé Xiàn 250,000 337 742
16 Guangping County 广平县 Guǎngpíng Xiàn 250,000 320 781
17 Guantao County 馆陶县 Guǎntáo Xiàn 290,000 456 636
18 Wei County 魏县 Wèi Xiàn 810,000 862 940
19 Quzhou County 曲周县 Qǔzhōu Xiàn 410,000 667 615

Economy[edit]

Industrial growth in the city was due to its communication and transport activities. Coal mines at Fengfeng provide power for Handan's iron, steel and textile mills. Chemical and cement plants along with other industries also benefit. The GDP per capita in Renminbi (), aka yuan () was estimated at ¥13,449 in 2005.

Handan3.jpg

Notable people[edit]

External links[edit]

Coordinates: 36°36′N 114°29′E / 36.600°N 114.483°E / 36.600; 114.483