- Shangchuan Island
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Shangchuan Island (Chinese: 上川岛; pinyin: Shàngchuāndǎo) also written (Schangschwan, Sancian, Sanchão, Chang-Chuang or St. John's Island) is the main island of Chuanshan Archipelago on the southern coast of China. Its name originated from São João - Saint John in Portuguese. It is part of the Guangdong province, in the South China Sea. Located 14 km from the mainland, it is the largest island in the province which was formerly the island of Hainan which was carved out of Guangdong to became a province in 1988.
The population of the island is 16,320.
It is known in history for having been the place of death of St. Francis Xavier.
Administratively, Shangchuan Town (上川镇) is one of the 20 towns of Taishan prefecture-level city.
Contents
History
Shangchuan Island was one of the first bases established by the Portuguese off the China coast, during the 16th century. They abandoned this base after the Chinese government gave consent for a permanent and official Portuguese trade base at Macau in 1557.
The Spanish (Navarre) Jesuit Catholic missionary St. Francis Xavier died there on December 2, 1552, on his way to Guangzhou, having died without ever reaching the mainland.
Geography
The island has been isolated from the mainland since the last ice age. It is located near Xiachuan Island, which lies west of Shangchuan. The two islands, together with smaller islet, form Chuanshan Archipelago.
Shangchuan Town covers the main Shangshuan Island, as well as 12 islets. The total area of the town is 156.7 km². Shangshuan Island has an area of 137.3 km². The island has a 217 km long coastline.
Towns include:
- Dalangwan
- Shadi (沙堤), a fishing port on the southwestern coast
Economy
Shangchuan along with Xiachuan have been established as a Tourism Open Integrated Experimental Zones (旅游开发综合试验区, pinyin: lǚyóu kāifā zōnghé shìyàn qū).
Feisha Beach Resort (飞沙滩旅游区) is a commercial tourist resort located on the island's eastern shore.
Transportation
Shangchuan Island is linked by ferry to Guanghai, Haiyan (Shanju) and Xiachuan Island.
See also
- Chuanshan Archipelago
- List of islands of the People's Republic of China
- List of islands in the South China Sea
External links
General
- Satellite view on Google Maps
- Website about Shangchuan (Chinese)
- Shangchuan on taishan.com (English)
- Shangchuan on tsinfo.com.cn (English)
- Pictures of the island (click on the links on the left to view more)
- Weather
Maps
- Map of the island (Chinese)
- Old map
Francis Xavier Chapel
- Picture of Shangchuan island. The chapel marks the location of Francis Xavier's death
- Another picture of the chapel
- Satellite view of the chapel
Coordinates: 21°39′55″N 112°47′44″E / 21.66528°N 112.79556°E
Islands of Guangdong Changzhou Island • Chuanshan Archipelago • Datansha • Er Sha Island • Guanzhou • Haixinsha Island (Haizhu District) • Haixinsha Island (Tianhe District) • Haizhu District • Hengqin New Area • Jinshazhou • Luoxi Island • Nanpu Island • Nei Lingding Island • Pazhou • Shamian Island • Shangchuan Island • Wanshan Archipelago • Xiachuan Island • Xiaoguwei • Zhongshan DaoCategories:- Taishan
- Islands of Guangdong
- Islands of the South China Sea
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