Hualien County

Hualien County is the largest and least densely populated county in Taiwan, located in the east-central part of the island. It is characterized by two major mountain ranges, the Chung-yang and Hai-an, with the fertile T'ai-tung rift valley situated between them, suitable for growing sugarcane, rice, and jute. The county is rich in mineral resources, including iron ore, asbestos, sulfur, copper, gold, and marble. Hualien City, the county seat, is a significant port and the northern terminus of the East Line railway and the East-West Cross-Island highway. The region is also home to approximately 87,000 Ami aborigines. Hualien is situated on a major fault line and has experienced significant seismic activity, including a major earthquake in 1951.12