Taitung, situated where with ocean in front and mountains behind, is
the home country of the nature. It’s long and narrow in contour. With the Central Range and the East Coastal Range run through, it’s separated
with Hualien by Hsiukuluan River in the north and with Pingtung
in the south by Tawu Mountain. Off the eastern coast of Taitung in the Pacific Ocean lie its two islands, namely
Lan Yu (Orchid Island) and Lu Tao (Green Island). With the unique geographical
environment, Taitung is one of the most beautiful counties in the Formosa.
High mountains, longitudinal
valleys, plains and extensive coasts profile the major geographical features of
Taitung. The coastline of Taitung, including that of Lan Yu and Lu Tao islands,
is nearly 231 km long; its area, at about 3,515 sq. km, claims one tenth of the
total area of Taiwan, making Taitung the 3rd
biggest county.
At present, Taitung has a population of about
250,000 and its administration is composed of one city, two towns and thirteen villages.
Based on the geographical location, the administrative districts can be
categorized as following:
- Islands – Lan
Yu village and Lu Tao village
- Valleys –
Tsisan village, Kwanshan town, Luyeh village and Peinan village
- Coastland –
Chang pin village, Cheng gong town, Tungho village, Taitung city, Taimali
village and Tawu village
- Mountains –
Haituan village, Yenpin village, Gingfeng village and Tajen village
Taitung,
demonstrating the most multicultural place in Taiwan, has a population composed
of the aborigines such as the Puyuma tribe, the Paiwan tribe, the Rukai tribe,
the Bunun tribe, the Ami tribe, the Yami tribe, etc., the native Hakka people
and immigrants of the Han people from different provinces of China. Taitung,
the Garden of Eden, presents its unique humanity.