By using principal component analysis and cluster analysis,we evaluated economic development levelsof 11 cities in Shanxi Province during 2006-2012. The results showed that the level of regional economicdevelopment is expanding in Shanxi. Basing on the scores of regional economic development levels,the differencesof the regional economic development of the province are divided into four types:excellent,good,average and poor.Finally,the findings put forward to change the coal industry development mode,ration...