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Teochew Prefecture

Teochew (Tio`<sub>10</sub>Ziu<sub>3</sub>) Prefecture is in the northeast region of Guangdong Province (广 东 省 Kng<sub>42</sub>Tan<sub>3</sub>Se`₄), China. Teochew Prefecture was first named Tio`₁₀Ziu₃ (潮 州 Chaozhou) in 591 A.D. Teochew language and culture evolved in Teochew City and spread to other parts of Teochew Prefecture and beyond to Shanwei Prefecture and southern part of Fujian Province.

Now this region is more popularly called Chaoshan (潮 汕 Tio`<sub>10</sub> Sua`₃) because, for a while after 1949, Teochew Prefecture was administered jointly by Chaozhou City and Shantou City.

Before the People’s Republic of China, Teochew Prefecture had 8 counties:

• Raoping (饒 平 Jiao₁₀Phen₁) county (县 kui`<sub>0</sub>) , administered by Huanggang Town (黄 冈 镇 Ng<sub>10</sub>ken<sub>3</sub>Ten<sub>5</sub>) which is now called Raoping Town.
• Chenghai (澄 海 Then<sub>10</sub>Hai<sub>4</sub>) county (县 kui`₀), administered by Chengcheng Town (澄 城 镇 Then₁₀Sia`<sub>10</sub>Ten<sub>5</sub>) which is now called Chenghai Town.
• Chaoan (潮 安 Tio`₁₀An₃) county (县 kui`<sub>0</sub>), was administered by Hucheng (府 城 Hu <sub>42</sub> Sia`₁) which is now called Chaozhou City (潮 州 市 Tio`<sub>10</sub>Ziu<sub>3</sub>Chi<sub>2</sub>).
• Jieyang (揭 阳 Keg<sub>10</sub> Io`₁) county (县 kui`<sub>0</sub>), was administered by Rongcheng Town (榕 城 镇 Sen<sub>10</sub>Sia`₁₀Ten₅), now Jieyang City.
• Jiexi (揭 西 Keg₁₀Sai₃) county (县 Kui`<sub>0</sub>), administered by Hepo Town. (河 婆 镇 Ho<sub>10</sub>Po<sub>10</sub>Ten<sub>5</sub>) which is now called Jiexi Town.
• Chaoyang (潮 阳 Tio`₁₀ Io`<sub>1</sub>) county (县 kui`₀), was administered by (棉 城 镇 Mi₁₀Sia`<sub>10</sub>Ten<sub>5</sub>) which is now called Chaoyang Town.
• Pu'ning (普 宁 Phou<sub>42</sub>Len<sub>1</sub>) county (县 kui`₀), administered by Liusha Town (流 沙 镇 Lao₁₀Sua₃Ten₅) which is now called Puning City (普 宁 市 Phou₄₂ Len₁ Chi₂ )
• Huilai (惠 莱 Hui₂₀Lai₁) county (县 kui`<sub>0</sub>), administered by Huicheng Town (惠 城 镇 Hui<sub>10</sub>Sia`₁₀Ten₅) which is now called Huilai Town.

and the port city of Shantou (汕 头 Sua`₃Thao₁) which had separated from Chenghai in 1921.

Teochew Prefecture was administered from Chaozhou City in the old days, hence in the old days Chaozhou City was called Hucheng (府 城 Hu₄₂Sia`₁) because “Hucheng” meant “government city”.

After 1949 there were a number of changes in the administrative structure of Chaoshan. Prior to the current administrative structure, Shantou City ( 汕 头 市 Sua`<sub>3</sub>Thou<sub>1</sub>Chi<sub>2</sub>) administered all the Teochew counties except Chaoan county which was administered separately by Chaozhou City. Shantou also administered Nan’ao (南 澳 Nam<sub>10</sub>O`₅) Island which was previously administered by Guangdong Province.

Since Dec 1991, Teochew Prefecture (Chaoshan) is divided into 3 regions:

• Shantou City which also administers Chenghai, Nan’ao Iand and Chaoyang counties.
• Jieyang City which also administers, Jiedong (main part of old Jieyang county), Jiexi, Puning and Huilai counties.
• Chaozhou City which also administers Chaoan and Raoping counties.

The Teochew (Chaoshan) Prefecture covers 10,400 sq km and has a population of 10 million (including Teochews working in other parts of mainland China, excluding Hong Kong). In addition, it is guestimated that another 5-10 million Teochews live outside mainland China, including those living in Hong Kong.

Chaoshan is populated mainly by Teochews and a minority of Teochew Hakkas who lives mainly in Jiexi.

Maps

• Teochew Prefecture: Within Guangdong Province
• Teochew Prefecture: Old Counties
• Teochew Prefecture: Currently 3 Administrative Regions

Condition of Use

While I try to ensure accuracy, users shall not hold me responsible for any inaccuracy or oversight.

©Copyright 2009, Tan Peng Boon, Singapore.
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