Chusan'

Chusan', the principal of the group of islands known as the Clusan Archipelago, lies about a mile off the east coast of China, opposite Ningpo. It has an area of over 230 sq. mi., and a pop. of 200,000 to 250,000; and although mountainous in the centre, it is generally fertile, and everywhere carefully cultivated. Ting-hai, the capital, a walled town about 3 miles in circumference, is, from its position on the route between Canton and Peking, close to the great ports of Shanghai and Ningpo, a place of both strategic and commercial importance, and its land-locked harbour is a busy shipping centre. There are few manufactures, but its carved work and silver wares are in repute, and cordage, matting, and fans are exported. It was taken by the British in 1840, and held till 1841, the close of the war; and in 1860 it was again occupied by an English force. Pop. 30,000 to 40,000.—The most remarkable of the surrounding group is the sacred island of Pu-tu, a mile E. of Chusan, covered with Buddhist temples, pagodas, and monasteries, and inhabited by upwards of a thousand monks. The chief monastery is one of the richest in China.