Amoy

Amoy is the historical English name for Xiamen, a port city on the southeast coast of China in Fujian Province. The term also refers to the Amoy dialect, a variety of Southern Min spoken in Xiamen and nearby areas.

Geography and administration: Xiamen sits on Xiamen Island and surrounding areas facing the Taiwan Strait. It is a sub-provincial city in Fujian and includes several districts. In 1980, Xiamen was designated as one of China's first Special Economic Zones, aiming to attract foreign investment and boost export-oriented industry.

Amoy dialect: The Amoy dialect (Xiamenese) is part of the Minnan branch of Southern Min; widely used historically in Xiamen and some nearby counties; it has influenced the Taiwanese Hokkien language.

Cultural-historical context: Xiamen grew as a maritime trading center in the late imperial era; Gulangyu Island off its coast is known for its historic architecture and piano culture; The city remains a major port and tourist destination with a modern economy.

Name usage: Throughout modern times, the English term Amoy has mostly fallen out of official use, though it remains in historical and cultural contexts. The modern Chinese name is Xiamen.