Pingtung County

Pingtung County[2] is a county in Southern Taiwan region. It has a warm tropical monsoon climate and is known for its agriculture and tourism. In recent years, it has promoted specialties such as tuna and wax apples. Kenting National Park, Taiwan's oldest and largest national park, is located in the county. The county seat is Pingtung City.

Pingtung County

屏東縣

Ping tung County
County
Flag
Logo
Pingtung County in Taiwan
Coordinates: 22°40′31.78″N 120°29′29.09″E
Country Taiwan (Republic of China)
RegionSouthern Taiwan
SeatPingtung City
Largest cityPingtung City
Boroughs1 cities, 32 (3 urban, 29 rural) townships
Government
 • County MagistratePan Men-an (DPP)
Area
 • Total2,775.6003 km2 (1,071.6653 sq mi)
Area rank5 of 22
Population
 (2016)[1]
 • Total839,001
 • Rank10 of 22
 • Density300/km2 (780/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+8 (National Standard Time)
ISO 3166 codeTW-PIF
Websitewww.pthg.gov.tw
Symbols
FlowerHairy Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea brasiliensis)
TreeCoconut tree
Pingtung County
Traditional Chinese屏東縣
Simplified Chinese屏东县

Name

The name Pingtung means "east of Half-Screen Mountain", referring to a former nearby mountain known as Half-Screen Mountain (Chinese: 半屏山; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Pòaⁿ-pêng-soaⁿ).

History

Early history

Aboriginal inhabitants of Liuqiu Island (13 km [8 mi] southwest of Taiwan, and now part of Pingtung County) killed Dutch sailors on two occasions. In response, in the spring of 1636, Dutch sailors carried out a punitive campaign that became known as the Lamey Island Massacre.

Modern-day Pingtung County and Kaohsiung City were part of Banlian-chiu (萬年州; Bān-liân-chiu) during the Kingdom of Tungning (1661–1683) and Fongshan Prefecture (鳳山縣; Hōng-soaⁿ-koān) during Qing dynasty rule (1683–1895).

Until the seventeenth century, this area of Taiwan was a place of exile for Chinese criminals and the occasional landing point for international mariners. Only the settlements near present-day Checheng Township existed. In 1664, the Hakka settlers arrived from mainland China and farmed under a homesteading system introduced by Zheng Jing.

Pingtung City, the biggest city in Pingtung County, also known as "A-Kau" (阿猴; A-kâu, English: the forest), was the home of Taiwanese Plains Aborigines.

In 1684, settlers from China's southern Fujian region created the first Han Chinese villages near Pingtung. By 1734, most of the Pingtung Plain was cultivated, and Pingtung was expanded in 1764. In 1836, the government and locals worked together to build the city's four walls (the North Gate, the East Gate, the West Gate, and the South gate), and the roads were completed.

In March 1867, fourteen American sailors were killed near Kenting by local aborigines in the Rover incident, which lead to the failed American Formosa Expedition three months later. In 1871, local aborigines killed 54 sailors from Ryukyu in the Mudan Incident. The Japanese carried out a punitive campaign against the local aborigines in the 1874 Japanese invasion of Taiwan.

Japanese rule
Main article: Takao Prefecture

Under Japanese rule (1895–1945), Hōzan Subprefecture (Japanese: 鳳山支廳) was initially under Tainan Ken (臺南縣), but political divisions frequently changed between 1895 and 1901. In 1901, Akō Chō (阿猴廳) was established. In 1909, the name changed to Akō Chō (阿緱廳). In 1920, the name was changed to Heitō City (屏東市) and was under Takao Prefecture administration, which consisted of modern-day Pingtung County and Kaohsiung.

Post-war

Following the handover of Taiwan from Japan to the Republic of China on 25 October 1945, the area of present-day Pingtung County was incorporated into Kaohsiung County on 25 December 1945. On 16 August 1950, Pingtung County was established after being separated from Kaohsiung County. On 1 December 1951, Pingtung City was downgraded from provincial city to county-controlled city and county seat of Pingtung County.

Pingtung was the site of a 7.1 magnitude earthquake on 26 December 2006. In 2009, due to Typhoon Morakot, Pingtung received over 2,500 millimetres (98 in) of rainfall, breaking records for any place in Taiwan struck by a single typhoon.

Geography

With a land area of over 2,775 km2 (1,071 sq mi), Pingtung is the fifth-largest county in Taiwan, and the second-largest of Southern Taiwan after Kaohsiung City. Geographically, it borders Kaohsiung City to the north, Taitung County to the east, the Taiwan Strait to the west and the Bashi Channel to the south. Islands administered by the county include Hsiao Liuchiu (Lamay Islet; 琉球嶼) and Qixingyan (Seven Star Reefs; 七星岩).

Climate

Located in the southernmost part of Taiwan, Pingtung County is known for one of the warmest climates within the country. It has a tropical monsoon climate bordering on a tropical wet and dry climate (Köppen climate classifications: Am bordering on Aw). The climate differs across the large county due to its varying geography.

Northern Pingtung, where Pingtung City is located, is characterized by high daytime temperatures year-round with average daytime highs of 30–40 °C (86–104 °F) from April to November, and 25–28 °C (77–82 °F) from December to March. The lowest nighttime temperatures are around 16 °C (61 °F), due to distance from the sea.

Central Pingtung, such as the coastal Fangliao Township, has a lower daytime temperatures and warmer nights due to the regulating effect of the ocean, which is especially noticeable during winter.

The mildest climate of Pingtung is at its southern tip, the Hengchun Peninsula, which is nearly surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. Daily highs reach 29–32 °C (84–90 °F) during summer and 23–26 °C (73–79 °F) during winter. Nighttime temperatures remain warm throughout the year with lows of around 25 °C (77 °F) during summer and 19 °C (66 °F) during the winter.

Government

Administrative divisions
Pingtung County Administrative Divisions

Pingtung County is divided into 1 city, 3 urban townships, 21 rural townships, and 8 indigenous mountain townships. Pingtung County has the largest number of rural townships and mountain indigenous townships among the counties of Taiwan.

TypeNameChineseTaiwaneseHakkaFormosan
City Pingtung City屏東市Pîn-tongPhìn-tûng
Urban
townships		 Chaozhou潮州鎮Tiô-chiuTshèu-chû
Donggang東港鎮Tang-kángTûng-kóng
Hengchun恆春鎮Hêng-chhunHèn-tshûn
Rural
townships		 Changzhi長治鄉Tióng-tīTshòng-tshṳ
Checheng車城鄉Chhia-siâⁿTshâ-sàng
Fangliao枋寮鄉Pang-liâuPiông-liàu
Fangshan枋山鄉Pang-soaⁿPiông-sân
Gaoshu高樹鄉Ko-chhiūKô-su
Jiadong佳冬鄉Ka-tangKâ-tûng
Jiuru九如鄉Kíu-jûKiú-yì
Kanding崁頂鄉Khàm-téngKham-táng
Ligang里港鄉Lí-kángLî-kóng
Linbian林邊鄉Nâ-piⁿLìm-piên
Linluo麟洛鄉Lîn-lo̍kLìm-lo̍k
Liuqiu琉球鄉Liû-khiûLiù-khiùLamay Island
Manzhou滿州鄉Bóan-chiuMân-chû ManutsuruPaiwan
Nanzhou南州鄉Lâm-chiuNàm-chû
Neipu內埔鄉Lāi-po͘Lui-phû
Wandan萬丹鄉Bān-tanVan-tân
Wanluan萬巒鄉Bān-loânVan-lòng
Xinpi新埤鄉Sin-piSîn-phî
Xinyuan新園鄉Sin-hn̂gSîn-yèn
Yanpu鹽埔鄉Iâm-po͘Yâm-phû
Zhutian (Jhutian)竹田鄉Tek-chhânTsuk-thièn
Mountain
indigenous
townships		 Chunri春日鄉Chhun-ji̍tTshûn-ngit KasugaguPaiwan
Laiyi來義鄉Lâi-gīLòi-ngi RaiPaiwan
Majia瑪家鄉Má-kaMâ-kâ MakazayazayaPaiwan
Mudan牡丹鄉Bó͘-tanMéu-tân SinvaudjanPaiwan
Sandimen三地門鄉Soaⁿ-tē-mn̂gSâm-thi-mùn TimurPaiwan
Shizi獅子鄉Sai-chúSṳ̂-é SisiguPaiwan
Taiwu泰武鄉Thài-búThai-vú KlaljucPaiwan
Wutai霧臺鄉Bū-tâiVu-thòi VedaiRukai

Colors indicate the statutory language status of Hakka and Formosan languages in the respective subdivisions.

Pingtung County Government
Pan Men-an, the incumbent magistrate of Pingtung County

Politics

Pingtung City is the county seat of Pingtung County which houses the Pingtung County Government and Pingtung County Council. The county head is Magistrate Pan Men-an of the Democratic Progressive Party. Pingtung County elected three Democratic Progressive Party legislators to the Legislative Yuan during the 2016 legislative election.[5][6][7]

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1985 901,981—    
1990 893,282−1.0%
1995 911,843+2.1%
2000 907,590−0.5%
2005 893,544−1.5%
2010 873,509−2.2%
2015 841,253−3.7%
2016 835,792−0.6%
2019 817,803−2.2%
Source:"Populations by city and country in Taiwan". Ministry of the Interior Population Census.


Pingtung is home to the indigenous Rukai and Paiwan tribes, which makes up 7% of the population.[8] As of December 2016, the total population of Pingtung County was 835,792. The county has been experiencing population decline for 15 consecutive years due to emigration to other cities.[9][10]

Religion

As of 2015, Pingtung County had 1,101 registered temples, the third highest amongst Taiwan's counties after Tainan and Kaohsiung.

Economy

The agriculture and fishing industries dominate the county's economy. In recent years, the county has also promoted the tourism sector, which constituted 30% of Taiwan's tourism industry in 2015.[11]

In February 2014, the county government announced a plan to develop an industrial center that consists of a service center, workshop, and performance venue. The aim is to promote the development of industries that leverage the unique cultural attributes of the Linali tribe.[12] On 22 September 2015, the National Development Council revealed a three-year large-scale development plan to boost the economy of the county by transforming Dapeng Bay, Donggang Township, and Lamay Island into a fishery, recreational, and tourism hub.[13]

Education
National Pingtung University

Universities and colleges

High schools
Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant

Energy

Pingtung County houses Taiwan's third nuclear power plant, the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant. The power plant is located in Hengchun Township. It is Taiwan's second-largest nuclear power plant in terms of its capacity at 2 × 890 MW.

Transportation

Rail
Pingtung Station

The Pingtung Line and South-Link Line of the Taiwan Railways Administration cross Pingtung County. These lines service Central Signal, Chaozhou, Donghai, Fangliao, Fangshan, Fangye Signal, Guilai, Jiadong, Jialu, Kanding, Linbian, Linluo, Liukuaicuo, Nanzhou, Neishi, Pingtung, Xishi, Zhen'an and Zhutian Station. The Pingtung Line links Pingtung County with Kaohsiung City, while the South-Link Line links Pingtung County with Taitung County.

Ferries

Ferry service operates between Donggang Township and Baisha Port and Dafu Port on the offshore Lamay Island.

Tourist attractions
Kenting National Park
Aquarium at the Museum of Marine Biology
gollark: It would no longer be possible for humans to cut many of them down.
gollark: Also deforestation. There are so many upsides.
gollark: Which would also fix flooding.
gollark: Also, rising sea levels. This could be eliminated as an issue by breaking all the various feedback loops enough that the oceans boil.
gollark: For example: apparently climate change is causing more/worse hurricanes or something. But if we heat the Earth by something like ~~10~~ 30 degrees, there will be hypercanes instead.

See also

References
  1. 105年05月屏東縣人口統計表. www.pthg.gov.tw (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  2. Mandarin pinyin: Píngdōng Xiàn, Wade-Giles: Pʻing²-tung¹ Hsien⁴; Hokkien POJ: Pîn-tong-koān; Hakka PFS: Phìn-tûng-yan; Paiwan: Akaw/Qakaw
  3. "Climate". Central Weather Bureau. Archived from the original on 12 June 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  4. "Climate". Central Weather Bureau. Archived from the original on 26 March 2014.
  5. "2016 The 14th Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and The 9th Legislator Election". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  6. "2016 The 14th Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and The 9th Legislator Election". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  7. "2016 The 14th Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and The 9th Legislator Election". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  8. "PINGTUNG County Government". Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  9. Hou, Cheng-hsu; Chang, Tsun-wei; Chung, Jack (11 January 2017). "Pingtung population falls for 15th consecutive year". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 11 January 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  10. "Pingtung population falls for 14th consecutive year". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. Located just a few minutes'walk from Fangliao train station, the art village stretches around 3,000 square meters which provides artists in residence plenty of room to work and live. Converted from old dormitories that once belonged to the Taiwan Railway Administration, the art village has been part of the Art Network of Railway Warehouses run by the Council for Cultural Affairs since 2002.
  15. "Art at the Crossroads: F3's Undetermined Future in Fangliao", by Eva Tang, 12 February 2009, Taiwan Culture Portal http://www.culture.tw/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1114&Itemid=157 Archived 30 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine

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