HSIN-CHU

hsien (county), northwestern Taiwan. It is bordered by the hsien of T'ao-yan (north), I-lan (east), and Miao-li (south) and by the Taiwan Strait (west). The Hseh-shan Mountains, with an average elevation of 8,200 feet (2,500 m), traverse most of the southeastern part of the county and gradually merge with the coastal plains of the northwest. Tea, paddy rice, sweet potatoes, and oranges are grown in Hsin-chu hsien. Its industries include petroleum refining; glass, cement, textile, and fertilizer manufacturing; fruit canning; woodworking; and fish processing. Iron ore, coal, gold, and silver are mined. A major producer of oil and natural gas, Hsin-chu hsien has a science-based industrial park containing a computer-electronics-engineering complex and Taiwan's first integrated-circuit-manufacturing plant. Chu-pei also has Taiwan's first colour-television picture tube factory and a research centre for pearl culture. A wild-animal Safari Park (accessible by motor vehicle) at Kung-tzu-kou, the Ch'ing-ts'ao (Green Grass) Lake, and Shih-t'ou (Lion's Head) Mountain are other places of interest. The hsien is well served by north-south-running railways and roads. Hsin-chu city is the administrative seat. Area 551 square miles (1,428 square km). Pop. (1993 est.) 388,551. shih (municipality) and seat of Hsin-chu hsien (county), northwestern Taiwan. It lies southwest of Taipei and about 6 miles (10 km) from the island's west coast, on north-south highway and railway lines that parallel the coast. Hsin-chu was first settled and walled in the 18th century; it received its modern name in the 19th century, when a regular administration was first established. It was an important military base during the Japanese occupation (18951945), from which period the present layout of the city largely derives. Hsin-chu is the marketing and distribution centre of a prosperous agricultural district producing rice, tea, and citrus fruits. The city also has various small-scale industries producing paper, fertilizers, cement, glass, and some textiles. A large industrial park opened in 1980, based on advanced technology and coordinated with training and research at the city's several technological colleges. A productive petroleum field is nearby. Pop. (1993 est.) 332,524.