MIAO-LI

hsien (county), northwestern Taiwan, with an area of 703 square miles (1,820 square km). It is bordered by Hsin-chu hsien to the north, T'ai-chung hsien to the southeast, and the Taiwan Strait to the west. Hseh-shan Shan-mo (mountain range), between 8,600 feet and 11,700 feet (2,600 m and 3,600 m) in height, traverses most of the eastern part of the hsien and gradually merges with the western coastal plains; the Ta-an, running along the southern boundary, is the major river. Paddy rice, sweet potatoes, wheat, and citrus fruit are grown; the area is noted for watermelon production, and cattle and poultry are raised. The Ghu Nan coalfield lies in the eastern part of the hsien. The Miao-li oil field (in the central part) together with C'hu-huang-k'eng are the centres of oil and gas production. Some clay and iron ore are extracted. Woodworking and textile and chemical manufacturing are the major industries. Miao-li chen (town), the administrative seat, is an important station on the north-south railway, linking it with Hsin-chu and Chang-hua, and is the site of a large liquid-ammonia plant. Taiwan's first high-density polyethylene resins manufacturing plant is at T'ou-fen, in the northern part of the hsien. The mountainous region is inhabited by Atayal and Saisiat aborigines. Pop. (1996 est.) 559,674. shih (town) and seat of Miao-li hsien (county), northwestern Taiwan, 19 mi (31 km) southwest of Hsin-chu city, in the northern part of the island's western coastal plain. Situated on the west bank of the Hou-lung Hsi (river), the town is a market centre for watermelons, sugarcane, and citrus fruits produced in the surrounding agricultural region. Miao-li is the site of a large liquid ammonia plant and is also the operations centre of the nearby Miao-li oil field. It is connected by the Chung-shan freeway and the West Line railway to Taipei, Taiwan's capital, in the northeast and to the port of Kao-hsiung in the south. Pop. (1989 est.) 87,245.