Yilan County, Taiwan

Yilan County is a significant administrative region in northeastern Taiwan.

It covers a total area of 2,143 square kilometers. The county is characterized by a diverse landscape that transitions from high mountains to the coastline. This region is home to approximately 450,031 residents. Yilan City serves as the county seat and the center of local government.

The county is divided into several administrative units. These include one city and three urban townships. There are also six rural townships and two mountain indigenous townships. This structure helps manage the different needs of the various communities.

The geography of Yilan is defined by the Yilan Plain. This is a large alluvial plain shaped roughly like a triangle. An alluvial plain is a flat area formed by sediment left by rivers. The three vertices of this triangle are Toucheng, Sanxing, and Su-ao. These towns are roughly 30 kilometers apart from one another. The Xueshan Range borders the northwest, while the Central Mountain Range sits to the south.

The land follows a steady descent in altitude. It moves from mountains and valleys through plains and lowlands. It then passes through swamps and sand hills before reaching the coastline.

Natural forces constantly reshape the Yilan landscape through river activity. The Lanyang River is a primary driver of this change. Because the river flows from steep mountain areas, it has a rapid and erosive current. This high energy allows the water to carry large amounts of silt. Silt is fine sand and mud carried by moving water. As the river reaches the flatter mid and downstream areas, it slows down. This reduction in speed causes the silt, sand, and gravel to settle.

This process creates alluvial fans. These fans often form web-like patterns across the landscape. Heavy rainfall or river overflows can cause the river to change its course entirely.

The history of Yilan involves many different groups of people. The indigenous Kavalan people arrived by sea about 1,000 years ago. They lived in small villages along the rivers of the Yilan Plain. The Atayal people also settled in the region. They arrived about 250 years ago by crossing the Xiyuan Pass. They settled in mountain areas like the upper Dazhuoshui River. Later, Han Chinese settlers arrived in the late 18th century. They began large-scale reclamation of the land. They built irrigation channels to cultivate the fields.

Foreign powers also influenced the region during different eras. In the 17th century, Spanish forces arrived in Taiwan. They took over Su'ao Town and established a city called Saint Lorenzo. Later, the Dutch ousted the Spanish and established Dutch Formosa. The Dutch managed trade and levied taxes on merchants. During the Qing dynasty, the government established the Kavalan sub-prefecture. By 1809, the Jiaqing Emperor incorporated Kavalan into the empire. In 1875, the area became part of the Taipeh Prefecture. Following the First Sino-Japanese War, Japan took control of Taiwan. Yilan was part of the Taihoku Prefecture during Japanese rule until 1945.

The modern administrative identity of Yilan was finalized in the mid-20th century. After the Republic of China took over Taiwan in 1945, Yilan was part of Taipei County. On 10 October 1950, the present-day Yilan County was officially established. This happened when 12 southeastern townships split from Taipei County. In 1998, the government streamlined the province. Yilan County then became administered directly by the Executive Yuan. Today, the county is a hub for education and renewable energy. It features several universities, such as National Ilan University.

The county also uses geothermal heat and hydroelectric power.

Visitors are drawn to Yilan for its unique natural and cultural features. The county includes Guishan Island, which is an active volcano.

People also visit the Jiaoxi hot springs and the Su-ao Cold Spring. Cultural events are very important to the local community. The Yilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival is a major attraction. It began in 1996 and has become internationally known. In 2002, the festival surpassed one million visits for the first time. This event helps bring art and culture to the people of Yilan.