Shanxi, which means 'west of the mountains', is so called due to its location west of Taihang range. For centuries Shanxi was a centre of trade and banking; the term "Shanxi merchant" was once synonymous with wealth. The province is one of China's traditional industrial centres, accounting for two thirds of China's coal reserves.
Administration Type | Province |
Area | 156,800 km² (1.6% of China's total area) - twice the size of Scotland |
Capital City | Taiyuan |
Population (2004) | 33 million (19th) 1 - seven times Scotland's population |
GDP (2004) - Per Capita | US $36.8 billion (18th) -a quarter of Scotland's output US $1107 (19th) |
Consumption per capita (2004) | US $574 (23rd) |
Foreign Direct Investment (2003) | US $214 million (22nd) |
Exports Imports | US $7.2 billion (1.2% of China's total exports) US $1.9 billion (0.3% of China's total imports) |
Number of Universities (2004) Number of higher education graduates (2004) | 56 51,000 |
Source: China Statistical Yearbook 2005 | 1 Regional rankings within China, 1st = highest, 31st = lowest |
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The Executive is developing its database of Scottish links with each of China's regions. Do you know of any Sino-Scottish regional link that we have not included above or that is in need of updating? If so, please let us know by completing the regional links form.