Hanzhong - Kanchu

A prefecture-level city in the southwest of Shaanxi Province, China. It governs one city district and 10 counties (as of 2016). Its population was 3,416,196 (2010). It is located in the center of the Hanzhong Basin. Bounded to the north by the Qinling Mountains, this region is naturally part of the south, but it is strategically important because it is on the route connecting the Wei River Plain in the north and Shaanxi with Sichuan and Hubei in the south. Historically, it has alternated between being part of the south and being part of the north, forming a unique regional character. During the Spring and Autumn period, it belonged to Shu, but during the Warring States period, it was divided into Qin and Shu, and eventually all of it was handed over to Qin. During the Qin dynasty, Nanzheng County and Hanzhong Commandery were established, making it a fortress. At the end of the Qin Dynasty, Liu Bang established the Han Dynasty here as its base, and during the Three Kingdoms period, it is well known that Shu and Wei fought over this area. Since then, it has been the site of many historical events. In 1949, Nanzheng City was established, but in 1953 it was renamed Hanzhong City, and Nanzheng County was established separately to the south of the city. In 1964, it was reverted to a county, but in 1980 it became a city again.

The hot and humid climate allows the city to grow rice on the alluvial plains, and the city is blessed with other agricultural products such as rapeseed and fruit. Commerce developed as a distribution center for goods from both the north and south, and a large population migrated to the city from the Sichuan region in particular. Industries such as aircraft manufacturing, uranium enrichment, and metallurgy support the city's economy. There are many ruins related to the Han dynasty within the city, including the Ancient Hantai, which is said to be the remains of the palace when Liu Bang became the Han king.

[Motohide Akiyama, Editorial Department, July 19, 2017]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

中国、陝西(せんせい)省南西部の地級市。1市轄区、10県を管轄する（2016年時点）。人口341万6196（2010）。漢中盆地の中央にある。北を秦嶺(しんれい)山脈でくぎられ、この地域は自然のうえでは南方に属するが、北方の渭河(いが)平原、陝西と南方の四川(しせん)、湖北(こほく)を結ぶルートにあるため、戦略上きわめて重要な地域で、歴史的には南方に帰属する時代と北方に帰属する時代が交互し、独特の地域性を形成した。春秋時代には蜀(しょく)に属したが、戦国時代には秦(しん)と蜀に分属し、ついには全部が秦に帰した。秦代に南鄭(なんてい)県と漢中郡を設け要害の地とした。秦末には劉邦(りゅうほう)がこの地を本拠地として漢王朝を創設し、三国時代にはこの地をめぐって蜀と魏(ぎ)が争ったのは有名である。その後も多くの歴史的事件の舞台となった。1949年南鄭市を設けたが、1953年漢中市に改名し、南鄭県は別に市の南に設けた。1964年県に戻されたが、1980年ふたたび市となった。

　高温多湿な気候により沖積平野では水稲が栽培されるほか、アブラナ、果物などの農産物に恵まれる。南北両地域からの物資集散地として商業が発達し、とくに四川地方から移住してくる人口も多かった。航空機製造やウラン濃縮、冶金などの工業が同市の経済を支えている。市内には漢代にゆかりのある遺跡が多く、劉邦が漢王になったときの宮廷の遺跡といわれる古漢台などがある。

［秋山元秀・編集部　2017年7月19日］

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