AN-K'ANG

Pinyin Ankang, formerly Hsing-an, city in southeastern Shensi sheng (province), China. Situated in the narrow valley of the Han River between the Tsinling and Ta-pa mountain ranges, it has been an important trade centre since antiquity, being situated at the junction of the east-west route via the Han River valley and the route to the north over the mountains to Sian (Ch'ang-an). A rail line, completed in 1978, links An-k'ang with Chungking (in Szechwan province) and Hsiang-fan (in Hupeh province) via the Han River valley. It is also in an important strategic area near the borders of Szechwan, Shensi, and Hupeh provinces. It first emerged as an independent administrative centre in the 3rd century AD, under the name Liang-chou. Later, in the 5th century, it took the name Chin-chou, the county town bearing the name Hsi-ch'eng. In 1583 the prefecture was renamed Hsing-an. The county town was renamed An-k'ang in the early 18th century. In 1912 the superior prefecture of Hsing-an was abolished, and it reverted to county status once more. An-k'ang comprised two separate walled towns and was a flourishing centre of trade, having been intimately linked since the 18th century with Han-k'ou. The city became the collecting centre for the agricultural produce of the surrounding area, which had been extensively colonized only since the 17th century. The main products of the area are grains, various types of oilseeds, sesame, hides, and forest products (notably lacquer). Pop. (1990 est.) 142,170.