Miaoli County

Miaoli County (Mandarin Pīnyīn: Miáolì Xiàn; Hakka PFS: Mèu-li̍t-yen; Hokkien POJ: Biâu-le̍k-koān or Miâu-le̍k-koān) is a county in western Taiwan. Miaoli is adjacent with Hsinchu County and Hsinchu City to the north, Taichung to the south, and borders the Taiwan Strait to the west. Miaoli is classified as a county in central Taiwan by the National Development Council, while the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau classifies Miaoli as a county in northern Taiwan. Miaoli City is the capital of the county, and is also known as "Mountain Town", owing to the number of mountains nearby, making it a destination for hiking.

Miaoli County

苗栗縣
County
Top:A night view of Tongluo, Second left:Lonteng Ancient Bridge, Second right:Liyu Reserve Lake, Third left :Chunhsiang Strawberry Farm Park, Third right:Hakka Cultural Park, Bottom left: Osmamthus Street in Nanchuang, Bottom right:Mount Huoyen
Flag
Logo
Coordinates: 24°33′48.29″N 120°49′32.98″E
CountryTaiwan
Regionwestern Taiwan
SeatMiaoli City
Largest cityToufen
Boroughs2 cities, 16 (5 urban, 11 rural) townships
Government
 • County magistrateHsu Yao-chang (KMT)
Area
 • Total1,820.3149 km2 (702.8275 sq mi)
Area rank11 of 22
Population
 (December 2014)
 • Total567,132
 • Rank11 of 22
 • Density310/km2 (810/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+8 (National Standard Time)
ISO 3166 codeTW-MIA
Websitewww.miaoli.gov.tw
Symbols
BirdEuropean magpie (Pica pica)
FlowerCamphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora)
TreeTea olive (Osmanthus fragrans)
Miaoli County
Traditional Chinese苗栗縣
Simplified Chinese苗栗县

Name

The name Miaoli was coined using two Hakka Chinese words, meu (貓; 'cat') and li (狸; 'raccoon dog') to phonetically approximate Pali (Bari) from the Taokas language. The resulting word (貓狸) is a widespread but non-orthodox variant referring to Viverridae. In 1889, during late Qing rule, the name was modified from various forms (貓裏, 貓裡, 貓里) to its current form.

History

Evidence of settlement in Miaoli dates back a thousand years. Many archaeological artifacts have been found showing that during the prehistoric era, people lived in the river terrace. They mainly led an agriculture life and engaged in hunting and fishing for their extra food source. About a thousand years ago, an indigenous group Taokas settled here.

In the mid-17th century, Han Chinese began to migrate into the area, beginning a gradual process of deforestation and establishment of permanent settlement sites. The prior inhabitants of Miaoli were either assimilated into the dominant Han population, or migrated deeper into the mountainous range. After several hundred years, Miaoli had become the home of people from different origins, such as Hakka, Hoklo, Atayal and Saisiyat.[1]

Kingdom of Tungning

After Koxinga took over Taiwan from the Netherlands, he placed Miaoli into Tian-Sing County (天興縣) and started an immigration plan to develop this area.

Qing Dynasty

After the last Tungning Ruler Zheng Keshuang surrendered to the Qing Dynasty, Tian-sing County was renamed Zhuluo County. In 1889, Miaoli Hsien (苗栗縣) was established as an independent county under Taiwan Prefecture. At the end of the 19th century, thousands of acres of high-quality fertile fields had been reclaimed in the area of Nanzhuang, Shitan, Dahu and Zhuolan. Public and private schools were also established all over Miaoli which made the area a place of gathering intellectuals and elites in northern Taiwan.

Empire of Japan

The county was at first eliminated under Japanese Imperial rule. Byōritsu Chō (Japanese: 苗栗廳) existed from ca. 1901 to 1908, but was split over Shinchiku Chō (新竹廳) and Taichū Chō (臺中廳) in 1909. From 1920 to 1945, Byōritsu Town (苗栗街), Enri Town (苑裡街) and six villages were under the jurisdiction of Byōritsu District, under Shinchiku Prefecture.

Republic of China

After the handover of Taiwan from Japan to the Republic of China on 25 October 1945, the present day area of Miaoli County was incorporated to Hsinchu County. On 16 August 1950, the government re-established Miaoli county on 16 August 1950 with Miaoli township as the county seat. On 25 December 1981, Miaoli Township was upgraded from township to a county-controlled city.

Geography

Miaoli County is considered to be located in the central northern part of the island of Taiwan, contiguous with Hsinchu county, Hsinchu City, and Taichung City. The Xueshan Range is located on the border between Miaoli county and Taichung City. Miaoli county north to south averages about 50 kilometers and east to west averages about 64 kilometers. It is roughly diamond-shaped in appearance. The overall coastline of Miaoli is about 50 kilometers long.

Miaoli has little flat lands (plateau) and very mountainous due to the Xueshan Range.[2] Miaoli has rich rainfall along with abundant rivers.

Administrative divisions
Hsu Yao-chang, Magistrate of Miaoli County
Miaoli City, the county seat of Miaoli County
Miaoli County Government
Miaoli County Council

Miaoli County is divided into 2 cities, 5 urban townships, 10 rural townships and 1 mountain indigenous townships.[3][4] Miaoli County has the second highest number of urban townships after Changhua County. Miaoli City is the county seat which houses the Miaoli County Government and Miaoli County Council. The incumbent Magistrate of Miaoli County is Hsu Yao-chang of the Kuomintang.

TypeNameChineseTaiwaneseHakka Area
(km²)		Number of
Villages		Number of
Neighborhoods		PopulationDensity
(per km²)
City Miaoli City苗栗市Biâu-le̍k or
Miâu-le̍k		Mèu-li̍t37.88722870290,0632,401
Toufen City頭份市Thâu-hūnThèu-fun53.3232538102,6541,925
Urban
townships		 Houlong後龍鎮Āu-lângHeu-liùng75.80722336738,360506
Tongxiao (Tongsiao)通霄鎮Thong-siauThûng-sêu107.7682439436,941343
Yuanli苑裡鎮Oán-líYen-lî68.24722536048,589712
Zhunan (Chunan; Jhunan)竹南鎮Tek-lâmTsuk-nàm37.55922551583,6222,226
Zhuolan (Jhuolan)卓蘭鎮Tah-lânCho̍k-làn75.3161117618,353240
Rural
townships		 Dahu大湖鄉Tōa-ô͘Thai-fù90.83921218015,549171
Gongguan (Kungkuan)公館鄉Kong-koánKûng-kón71.4521928134,847488
Nanzhuang (Nanchuang; Nanjhuang)南庄鄉Lâm-chngNàm-chông165.4936918410,67465
Sanwan三灣鄉Sam-oanSâm-vân52.2968937,132136
Sanyi三義鄉Sam-gīSâm-ngi69.3424716117,235249
Shitan (Shihtan)獅潭鄉Sai-thâmSṳ̂-thàn79.43271004,72559
Tongluo銅鑼鄉Tâng-lôThùng-lò78.381021818,909241
Touwu頭屋鄉Thâu-okThèu-vuk52.504812011,377217
Xihu (Sihu)西湖鄉Se-ô͘Sî-fù41.075291087,589185
Zaoqiao (Zaociao)造橋鄉Chō-kiôCho-khièu47.9976911813,456280
Mountain
indigenous
townships		 Tai'an (Tai-an; Taian)泰安鄉Thài-anThai-ôn614.59368646,15710
County total1,820.31492744,679567,132312

Colors indicate the common language status of Hakka within each division. Note that Nanzhuang and Tai'an are also indigenous areas of Atayal people.

Demographics and culture
See also: Taiwanese aboriginals and Hakka
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1985 550,343—    
1990 547,609−0.5%
1995 560,128+2.3%
2000 559,703−0.1%
2005 559,986+0.1%
2010 560,968+0.2%
2015 563,912+0.5%
Source:"Populations by city and country in Taiwan". Ministry of the Interior Population Census.

Population

The main population of Miaoli County is comprised by the Han Chinese and the Taiwanese aborigines. The Taiwanese aborigines constitute about 1.9% of the total population where the rural areas is where the Hokkiens are the main group in western urban areas of Miaoli, while the Hakkas comprise the main group of Han Chinese in the rural southern and central parts of Miaoli county

Taiwanese aborigines

The Saisiat currently reside in the Wufeng Township of Hsinchu County and the Nanzhuang Township of Miaoli County.[5] Due the oppression by initial Han immigrants, the Atayal aboriginal group and the Nanzhuang Incident, the population of the Saisiat people have decreased to 5,000 people. It is the least populous Taiwanese aboriginal group after the Thao people. The traditions and culture of the Saisiat is greatly impacted by the Atayal aborigines and Hakka people in the region.

Han Chinese

During the Qing Dynasty, Miaoli was inhabited by Hokkiens in the coast and Hakka in the rural peasant mountainous areas. Currently, the inhabitants of the four coastal townships of Miaoli (Nanzhuang Township, Houlong Township, Tongxiao Township, and Yuanli Township) consists of primarily Taiwanese Hokkien speakers. With the exception of the four coastal townships and Tai'an Township, the main population consists of Hakka.

Sports

The main sports and recreational structures in Miaoli include Miaoli Sports Hall, Miaoli County Tennis Court, and the Park of Zhunan Township. In Taiwan National Athletic Games of 2011, Miaoli is ranked 21 out of 22 teams with 1 gold, 1 silver, and 8 bronze.

Economy

Popular regional agriculture, food production and culture promoted by the government include strawberries from Dahu Township, Hakka zongzi, Sanwan Chinese pears, Touwu Daikons, Sanyi wood sculptures, Tai’an persimmons, and many more.

Annual revenue of Miaoli County is NT$22 billion, while its annual expenditure is NT$32 billion.[6] Monthly, Miaoli County Government spends NT$600 million on their staffs salaries and another NT$600 million for retirement obligation. As of July 2015, the county government has a debt of NT$64.8 billion.[7]

Education
National United University

Education-related affairs in Miaoli County is regulated by Education Department of the Miaoli County Government. At the end of 2004, the population of people older than 15 years old was 451,128, among which 97.91% of them were literate. There were 108,052 college-educated, 156,870 senior high school or junior college graduates, 176,755 junior high school or lower graduates. The percentage of people receiving education higher than college was relatively low.[8]

Miaoli County houses several universities and colleges, such as the National United University, Yu Da University and Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management.

Energy

Power generation
Tunghsiao Power Plant

Miaoli County houses the gas-fired Tunghsiao Power Plant in Tongxiao Township, the second largest gas-fired power plant in Taiwan with a capacity of 1,815 MW. The county also houses Taiwan's first offshore wind power plant named Formosa 1 Offshore Wind Farm.

Water supply

The Mingte Dam in Touwu Township supplies water for irrigation and water supply for the county. The dam has a capacity of 17.1 million cubic meters.

Tourism

Tourist arrivals to Miaoli in 2011 was 17,000,000 people.[9]

Tourist attractions
Longteng Bridge in Sanyi Township
Taiwan Oil Field Exhibition Hall

Nature

Nature tourism in Miaoli County including Flying Cow Ranch, Longfeng Fishing Port, Shei-Pa National Park, Waipu Fishing Port and Yongheshan Reservoir.

Museums and galleries

Miaoli County houses several museums, such as Huoyan Mountain Ecology Museum, Miaoli Ceramics Museum, Miaoli County Urban Planning Exhibition Center, Miaoli Railway Museum, Museum of Saisiat Folklore, Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum, Taiwan Oil Field Exhibition Hall, Triangle Rush Exhibition Hall and Zaochiao Charcoal Museum.

Cultural centers

Cultural centers in the county include the Miaoli Park, Wu Chuo-liu Art and Cultural Hall, Wugu Cultural Village, Yingtsai Academy and Hakka Round House.

Theme parks

Theme parks in the county is West Lake Resortopia.

Temples

Temple in the county is Zhonggang Cihyu Temple.

Festivals

The various cultural festivals of Miaoli County includes, Miaoli Marine Tourism, Meng-Hua Literary Award, Hakka Tung Hua Festival, Hakka folk song festival, Miaoli international tourism festival, etc.

Transportation
HSR Miaoli Station
TRA Miaoli Station
Miaoli Bus Station

Rail

Miaoli Station of the Taiwan High Speed Rail is located in Houlong Township.

Miaoli County is also served by the Coastal Line and Taichung Line of the Taiwan Railways Administration.

Stations on the Coastal Line include:

  • Qiding
  • Zhunan
  • Tanwen
  • Dashan
  • Houlong
  • Longgang
  • Baishatun
  • Xinpu
  • Tongxiao
  • Yuanli Station

Stations on the Taichung Line include:

  • Zhunan
  • Zaoqiao
  • Fengfu
  • Miaoli
  • Nanshi
  • Tongluo
  • Sanyi Station

Road

Both National freeway No 1 and National freeway No 3 pass through Miaoli County.

Relative location
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References
  1. "About Miaoli - Miaoli County Government". miaoli.gov.tw. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  2. Taiwan Tourism Bureau (7 September 2019). "The Hidden Gems of Miaoli County". AmCham Taipei. Archived from the original on 31 October 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  3. "Number of population in each area in 2004 (Graph 1)". Miaoli County Government. Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  4. 臺灣地區鄉鎮市區級以上行政區域名稱中英對照表 (PDF). Online Translation System of Geographic Name, Ministry of Interior. 16 June 2011. pp. 7–8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 March 2012.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Miaoli County government has no money to pay salaries (update)". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  7. "Miaoli County government has no money to pay salaries". focustaiwan.tw. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  8. "Population - Miaoli County Government". miaoli.gov.tw. Archived from the original on 7 October 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  9. "Culture and Tourism Buresu of Miaoli - Getting to Know Miaoli". Archived from the original on 22 July 2015.
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