Chiayi County
嘉義縣
Ka-gi, Chiai
County
Flag of Chiayi County
Flag
Official seal of Chiayi County
Logo
Coordinates: 23°29′46.34″N 120°38′30.75″E / 23.4962056°N 120.6418750°E / 23.4962056; 120.6418750
Country Republic of China (Taiwan)
Province Taiwan Province (government dissolved)
RegionSouthwestern Taiwan
SeatTaibao City
Largest cityMinxiong
Boroughs2 cities, 16 (2 urban, 14 rural) townships
Government
 • County MagistrateWeng Chang-liang (DPP)
Area
 • Total1,901.67 km2 (734.24 sq mi)
 • Rank10 of 22
Population
 (January 2023)
 • Total488,012[1]
 • Rank14 of 22
Time zoneUTC+8 (National Standard Time)
ISO 3166 codeTW-CYQ
Websitecyhg.gov.tw
Chiayi County
Traditional Chinese嘉義縣

Chiayi County (Traditional Chinese: 嘉義縣 Pinyin: Jiāyì xiàn;[2] Peh-oe-ji: Ka-gī-koān) is a county in Taiwan. Located in southwestern Taiwan surrounding but not including Chiayi City, it is the sixth largest county in the island of Taiwan. Its major tourist destination is Alishan National Scenic Area.

Name

The former Chinese placename was Tsu-lo-san[3] (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 Chiayi (嘉義; lit. 'commended righteousness') by the Qianlong Emperor to acknowledge the citizens' loyalty during the Lin Shuangwen rebellion.[4]

History

Qing dynasty

Chiayi County was originally part of Zhuluo County during the Qing dynasty. It was given its modern name by the Qianlong Emperor after the Lin Shuangwen rebellion in 1788 for its role in resisting the rebels.[4]

Empire of Japan

From 1920, 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.[5] In October 1950, Chiayi County was established as a county of Taiwan Province. Chiayi City was designated as the county seat.[6]

In July 1982, Chiayi City was upgraded to a provincial city, thus in December 1981, Chiayi County government relocated the county seat to Dongshiliao Farm in Taibao Township.

In March 1989, Wufong Township was renamed Alishan Township. In July 1991, Taibao Township was reorganized as Taibao City. In November 1991, Chiayi County government relocated the county seat from Dongshiliao Farm to Hsiangho New Village in Taibao City.[7] Puzi Township was reorganized as a county-administered city in September 1992.

Geography

Chiayi County borders 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 (735 sq mi), about 5.35% of the area of Taiwan. Chiayi County is located along the Tropic of Cancer.[8]

Administration

Weng Chang-liang, the incumbent Magistrate of Chiayi County
Chiayi County Government
Chiayi County Council

Chiayi County is divided into 2 cities, 2 urban townships, 13 rural townships and 1 mountain indigenous township.[9][10][11] 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. Weng Chang-liang of the Democratic Progressive Party is the incumbent Magistrate of Chiayi County.

TypeNameChineseTaiwaneseHakkaFormosan
Cities Taibao City太保市Thài-póThai-pó
Puzi (Puzih) City朴子市Phoh-chúPhú-chṳ́
Urban
townships		 Budai布袋鎮Pò͘-tēPu-thoi
Dalin大林鎮Tōa-nâThai-lìm
Rural
townships		 Dapu大埔鄉Tōa-po͘Thai-phû
Dongshi (Dongshih)東石鄉Tang-chio̍hTûng-sa̍k
Fanlu番路鄉Hoan-lō͘Fân-lu
Lioujiao (Liujiao)六腳鄉La̍k-khaLiuk-kiok
Lucao鹿草鄉Lo̍k-chháuLu̍k-tshó
Meishan梅山鄉Mûi-sanMòi-sân
Minxiong (Minsyong)民雄鄉Bîn-hiôngMìn-hiùng
Shuishang (Shueishang)水上鄉Chhúi-siāngSúi-song
Xikou (Sikou)溪口鄉Khe-kháuHâi-khiéu
Xingang (Singang)新港鄉Sin-kángSîn-kóng
Yizhu (Yijhu)義竹鄉Gī-tekNgi-tsuk
Zhongpu (Jhongpu)中埔鄉Tiong-po͘Chûng-phû
Zhuqi (Jhuci)竹崎鄉Tek-kiāTsuk-khì
Mountain
indigenous
township		 Alishan阿里山鄉A-lí-sanÂ-lî-sânPsoseonganaTsou

Color indicates statutory language status of the Formosan language in the respective subdivision.

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. Archived from the original on 2017-12-16. Retrieved 2016-05-01.

The current population of Chiayi County as of May 2022 is 490,423 people. The county has been experiencing a population decline since 2009 due to higher migration out of the county and a higher death rate than birth rate.[1] In 2013, the birthrate in the county was 5.89, lower than the average in Taiwan of 8.91, and the second lowest after Keelung.[12]

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.[12][13] 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.

Incinerator in the county is Lutsao Refuse Incineration Plant.

Tourist attractions

Alishan National Scenic Area
High-Heel Wedding Church

Museums

Notable museums, cultural centers and monuments in Chiayi County are the Dongshi Natural Ecological Exhibition Center, Mei-Ling Fine Arts Museum, National Radio Museum, Ping Huang Coffee Museum, Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum, Xikou Township Cultural Life Center 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.[14] It also houses the Chukou Nature Center, Haomeiliao Wetland and Meishan Park.

Dams

Renyitan Dam and Zengwen Dam are located in the county.

Buildings

The county houses the Dongshi Fisherman's Wharf, Chiayi Performing Arts Center and High-Heel Wedding Church.

Transportation

Chiayi Airport
THSR Chiayi Station

Air

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

Rail

Taiwan High Speed Rail stops at Chiayi HSR Station in Taibao City. Taiwan Railways Administration stations include the Dalin Station, Minxiong Station, Jiabei Station, Nanjing Station and Shuishang Station. The Alishan Forest Railway leads to Alishan National Scenic Area, with stations in Zhuqi Township, Meishan Township and Alishan Township.

Water

Budai Harbor in Budai Township provides ferry services to Magong City, Penghu.[15]

Relative location

References

  1. 1 2 "Welcome to Chiayi County Government-Population-Population". cyhg.gov.tw. Archived from the original on 2014-03-28. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  2. ↑ 教育部重編國語辭典修訂本 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 15 October 2019. 字詞 【嘉義縣】 注音 ㄐㄧㄚ ㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄢˋ 漢語拼音 jiā yì xiàn
  3. ↑ 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. ISBN 9789576380839. OCLC 644323041.
  4. 1 2 "Taiwan in Time: Rebels of heaven and earth - Taipei Times". 17 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "Rezoning Taiwan". Taiwan Today. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  6. ↑ "Welcome to Chiayi County Government-History-Republic of China Era (1945－)". cyhg.gov.tw. Archived from the original on 2014-03-28.
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. ↑ "Welcome to Chiayi County Government-Geography-Geography". cyhg.gov.tw. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  9. ↑ "Geography". Chiayi County Government. Archived from the original on 21 November 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2019. Chiayi County(2 cities, 2 towns, 14 villages )
  10. ↑ 地理區域 [Geography]. 嘉義縣政府全球資訊網. Archived from the original on 9 July 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  11. ↑ 1.7-鄉鎮市區戶口數 [Population for Township and District]. Ministry of the Interior (in Chinese (Taiwan) and English). August 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020. 嘉義縣 Chiayi County太保市 Taibao City朴子市 Puzih City布袋鎮 Budai Township大林鎮 Dalin Township民雄鄉 Minsyong Township溪口鄉 Sikou Township新港鄉 Singang Township六腳鄉 Lioujiao Township東石鄉 Dongshih Township義竹鄉 Yijhu Township鹿草鄉 Lucao Township水上鄉 Shueishang Township中埔鄉 Jhongpu Township竹崎鄉 Jhuci Township梅山鄉 Meishan Township番路鄉 Fanlu Township大埔鄉 Dapu Township阿里山鄉 Alishan Township
  12. 1 2 "Chiayi's low birthrate is problem for education". taipeitimes.com. Archived from the original on 2015-07-12. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
  13. ↑ "Chiayi county government, Invest in chiayi county-Dapumei Intelligent Industrial Park". Archived from the original on 2015-07-12. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
  14. ↑ "Attractions > Hot Spots > Chiayi County >". taiwan.net.tw. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  15. ↑ Liao, George (1 October 2017). "An amazing trip to Taiwan's Penghu County in three days". Taiwan News. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
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