- Sinhua, Tainan
Sinhua (zh-cpw|c=新化|p=Xīnhuà|w=Hsin-hua;
Pe̍h-ōe-jī : Sin-hòa) is an urban township in centralTainan County ,Taiwan . In the past, the Siraya indigenous tribe called this place Tavocan (大目降,POJ : Tāi-ba̍k-kàng), meaning the land of hill and forest.History
Early history
Before the Dutch and
Han Chinese invaded, this region was home to a community ofTaiwanese aborigines , the Siraya. In1624 , the VOC occupied Tayuan (modern dayAnping, Tainan ). After1627 , the VOC sent missionaries into neighboring districts. In1635 , Candidus, a Dutch pastor, advised Nuyts, the leader of the VOC in Taiwan, that the VOC would have to conquer the aborigines before they could be controlled. In1636 , eighteen tribal groups, including the inhabitants of Tavocan, submitted to Dutch rule.Recent history
Since the early part of the 20th century, Sinhua has been an important fruit wholesaling center. Around 1920, dozens of baroque-influenced store buildings were constructed along what is now Jhongjheng Road. Most of these buildings survive in good condition, and the street, known as "Sinhua Old Street," has become a tourist attraction.
The
Taiwan Livestock Research Institute is located in Sinhua, northeast of the downtown.The
Taiwan High-Speed Rail track passes through the western part of the township; no station is planned, however.Geography
*
Area : 62.06 km²
*Population : 45,192 people (2003)Much of the township is rural, with large areas devoted to
pineapple cultivation. Sinhua is located on Taiwan Highway No. 20, also known as theSouthern Cross-Island Highway , and Freeway Nos. 3 and 8. It bordersYongkang City ,Shanshang ,Sinshih andGuanmiao townships.External links
* [http://shinhua.tainan.gov.tw/ Official website]
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