Anshan, China
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largest centers of production anywhere in China. Other branches of industry include chemicals, textiles and electronics, as well as agricultural machinery and ceramics. Attempts have been made to improve the appearance of this typical industrial town by the growing of trees and flowers and by general landscaping.

Anshan can trace its history back to the 2nd century BC. It is believed that the region's first local ''iron industry'' was formed here during the reign of Emperor Han Wudi (140-87 BC). Iron smelting flourished during the Tang period (AD 618-907). A postal station was set up nearby in 1395. After Anshan had been burned down during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 and then suffered further serious damage during the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05), the new town was built 10km/6mi to the north of the old. It developed economically following the discovery of fresh iron-ore deposits in the early 20th C. During the Civil War Anshan was occupied alternately by the Guomindang (Kuomintang) and the Communists, until the latter finally took control in 1948.