Chiayi County

Chiayi County
嘉義縣
County

Flag
Coat of arms
Coordinates: 23°29′46.34″N 120°38′30.75″E / 23.4962056°N 120.6418750°E / 23.4962056; 120.6418750Coordinates: 23°29′46.34″N 120°38′30.75″E / 23.4962056°N 120.6418750°E / 23.4962056; 120.6418750
Country Taiwan
Region Southwestern Taiwan
Seat Taibao City
Largest city Minxiong
Boroughs 2 cities, 16 (2 urban, 14 rural) townships
Government
 • County Magistrate Helen Chang (DPP)
Area
 • Total 1,901.67 km2 (734.24 sq mi)
Area rank 10 of 22
Population (December 2014)
 • Total 524,783[1]
 • Rank 14 of 22
Time zone National Standard Time (UTC+8)
Website www.cyhg.gov.tw
Chiayi County
Traditional Chinese 嘉義縣

Chiayi County (Chinese: 嘉義縣; pinyin: Jiāyì Xiàn) is a county in southwestern Taiwan surrounding but not including Chiayi City. It is the sixth largest county in Taiwan.

Name

The former Chinese placename was Tsu-lo-san[2] (Chinese: 諸羅山; pinyin: Zhūluóshān; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Chu-lô-san), a representation of the original Formosan-language name Tirosen. A shortened version, Tsulo, was then used to name Tsulo County, which originally covered the underdeveloped northern two-thirds of the island. In 1704, the county seat was moved to Tsulosan, the site of modern-day Chiayi City. Following the 1723 Zhu Yigui rebellion, the county was reduced in size. In 1787, the county and city were renamed Kagee (嘉義; literally: "commended righteousness") to acknowledge the citizens' loyalty during the Lin Shuangwen rebellion.

History

Empire of Japan

During the Japanese rule of Taiwan, the area of Tainan Prefecture covered modern-day Chiayi County, Chiayi City, Tainan and Yunlin County.

Republic of China

After the handover of Taiwan from Japan to the Republic of China on 25 October 1945, the area of present-day Chiayi County was administered under Tainan County. In October 1950, Taiwan Provincial Government formed the Chiayi County Government and Chiayi County was established as a county of Taiwan Province in the same month. Chiayi City was subsequently downgraded from a provincial city and designed as the county seat of Chiayi County.[3]

In December 1978, the Executive Yuan approved the upgrade of Chiayi City to become a provincial city, thus in December 1981, Chiayi County government relocated the county capital to Dongshiliao Farm in Taibao Township and Chiayi City finally became a provincial city in July 1982.

In March 1989, Wufong Township was renamed to Alishan Township and in July 1991, Taibao Township was restructured to become Taibao City. In November 1991, Chiayi County government relocated the county capital from Dongshiliao Farm to Hsiangho New Village in Taibao City.[4] Puzi Township was restructured to a county-controlled city in September 1992.

Geography

Chiayi County is bordered with Mount Yu to the east, Taiwan Strait to the west, Tainan City to the south and Yunlin County to the north. It spans over 1,903 km2, about 5.35% of Taiwan area. Due to its location along the Tropic of Cancer path, Chiayi County has a unique landscape with other regions in Taiwan.[5]

Administration

Chiayi County Government
Chiayi County Council

Chiayi County is divided into 2 cities, 2 urban townships, 13 rural townships and 1 mountain indigenous township. Taibao City is the seat of Chiayi County and is home to Chiayi County Government. The Chiayi County Council is however located in Puzi City. Helen Chang of the Democratic Progressive Party is the incumbent Magistrate of Chiayi County.

Name (Hanyu Pinyin) Hanzi Wade-Giles Tongyong Pinyin Taiwanese (POJ) Hakka Pha̍k-fa-sṳ
City
Taibao City 太保市 T'ai-pao Taibao Thài-pó Thai-pó
Puzi City 朴子市 P'u-tzu Puzih Phò-chú Phú-chṳ́
Urban townships
Budai Township 布袋鎮 Pu-tai Budai Pò͘-tē Pu-thoi
Dalin Township 大林鎮 Ta-lin Dalin Tōa-nâ Thai-lìm
Rural townships
Dapu Township 大埔鄉 Ta-p'u Dapu Tōa-po͘ Thai-phû
Dongshi Township 東石鄉 Tung-shih Dongshih Tang-chio̍h Tûng-sa̍k
Fanlu Township 番路鄉 Fan-lu Fanlu Hoan-lō͘ Fân-lu
Liujiao Township 六腳鄉 Liu-chiao Liujiao La̍k-kha Liuk-kiok
Lucao Township 鹿草鄉 Lu-ts'ao Lucao Lok-chháu Lu̍k-tshó
Meishan Township 梅山鄉 Mei-shan Meishan Bôe-san Mòi-sân
Minxiong Township 民雄鄉 Min-hsiung Minsyong Bîn-hiông Mìn-hiùng
Shuishang Township 水上鄉 Shui-shang Shueishang Chhúi-siāng Súi-song
Xikou Township 溪口鄉 Hsi-k'ou Sikou Khe-kháu Hâi-khiéu
Xingang Township 新港鄉 Hsin-Kang Singang Sin-káng Sîn-kóng
Yizhu Township 義竹鄉 I-chu Yijhu Gī-tek Ngi-tsuk
Zhongpu Township 中埔鄉 Chung-p'u Jhongpu Tiong-po͘ Chûng-phû
Zhuqi Township 竹崎鄉 Chu-Ch'i Jhuci Tek-kiā Tsuk-khì
Mountain indigenous townships
Alishan Township 阿里山鄉 A-li-shan Alishan A-lí-san Â-lî-sân

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1985 569,932—    
1990 552,277−3.1%
1995 565,804+2.4%
2000 562,305−0.6%
2005 553,841−1.5%
2010 543,248−1.9%
2015 519,839−4.3%
Source:"Populations by city and country in Taiwan". Ministry of the Interior Population Census. 

The current population of Chiayi County as of December 2014 is 524,783 people. The county has been experiencing a population decline since 2009 due to higher migration out of the county and higher death rate than birth rate.[1] In 2013, the birthrate in the county was 5.89, lower than the average Taiwan of 8.91, the second lowest after Keelung.[6]

Education

National Chung Cheng University

Chiayi County is home to the government-owned National Chung Cheng University and National Chiayi University. Private universities and colleges including Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Nanhua University, Toko University and WuFeng University. Education-related affairs in the county is managed by the Educational Department of Chiayi County Government.

Economy

Over the past 20 years, Chiayi County had often been left out in the regional economic development due to its less strategic location, lack of infrastructure and appropriate industrial land to attract manufacturers to set up factories in the area. All of the existing industrial parks in the county were built before 1981. Class 2 and class 3 industries have been developing slowly throughout Chiayi, thus the economic development is sluggish as well, resulting in slow urban development.

Three industrial parks named the Dapumei Industrial Park (大埔美工業區), Ma Chou Hou Industrial Park (馬稠後工業區) and Budai Intelligent Industrial Park are currently under planning in the county.[6][7] Industrial parks in the neighboring counties and cities also contributed to the difficulty of industrial developments in Chiayi County.

Energy

The Zengwen Hydroelectric Plant and Chiahui Gas-Fired Power Plant boasted the total national grid capacity of 50 MW and 670 MW respectively. Both of the power plants are located in the county.

Tourist attractions

Alishan National Scenic Area
High-Heel Wedding Church

Museums

Notable museums and monuments in Chiayi County are the National Radio Museum, Ping Huang Coffee Museum, Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum and Tropic of Cancer Monument.

Natural

Bordered by mountains on one side and sea on the other side, Chiayi County holds three major national parks, which are Alishan National Scenic Area, Southwest Coast National Scenic Area and Siraya National Scenic Area, each represents a unique view of nature's wonders, from mountains, plains to ocean views.[8] It also houses the Haomeiliao Wetland.

Dams

The county also has the following dams, which are Renyitan Dam and Zengwen Dam.

Buildings

The county houses the Dongshi Fisherman's Wharf and High-Heel Wedding Church.

Transportation

Chiayi Airport
THSR Chiayi Station

Air

Chiayi County is served by Chiayi Airport located at Shuishang Township, Taibao City and neighboring Chiayi City.

Rail

The Taiwan High Speed Rail destination to Chiayi County stops at Chiayi Station in Taibao City. Taiwan Railways Administration stations include the Dalin Station, Minxiong Station, Nanjing Station and Shuishang Station. The county also houses the Alishan Forest Railway leading to Alishan National Scenic Area.

Relative location

  Yunlin County
Taiwan Strait (South China Sea)
 Penghu County
Fujian,  China		  Kaohsiung
    Chiayi County  
 Tainan

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chiayi County.

References

  1. 1 2 "Welcome to Chiayi County Government-Population-Population". cyhg.gov.tw.
  2. ↑ Campbell, William (1903). "Explanatory Notes". Formosa under the Dutch: described from contemporary records, with explanatory notes and a bibliography of the island. London: Kegan Paul. p. 549. OCLC 644323041.
  3. ↑ "Welcome to Chiayi County Government-History-Republic of China Era (1945－)". cyhg.gov.tw. Archived from the original on 2014-03-28.
  4. ↑ "Welcome to Chiayi County Government-History-Republic of China Era (1945－)". Cyhg.gov.tw. Archived from the original on 2014-03-28. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  5. ↑ "Welcome to Chiayi County Government-Geography-Geography". cyhg.gov.tw.
  6. 1 2 "Chiayi's low birthrate is problem for education". taipeitimes.com.
  7. ↑ http://invest.cyhg.gov.tw/english/CP.aspx?s=67&n=10125
  8. ↑ "Attractions > Hot Spots > Chiayi County >". taiwan.net.tw.
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