| 摘要: | Rivers abound in Taiwan. They are generally short and ungraded. Navigations are impossible due to the great fluctuations of discharge.
Before Ch'ing dynasty, the Taipei Basin Could be easily reached by ships along the Tam Shui River. When Taipei began to prosper, the town of Tam Shui had become a center of exportation. The rise of Keelung harbor has greatly diminished the importance of Tam Shui but the latter still remains the second largest seaport of northern Taiwan from the geographical point of view.
From Kuantu downward, the lower reach of the Tam Shui River is flanked by highlands on both sides with alluvial plains extending far and wide, thus forming a small integral geographical unit. This area comprises Tam Shui County, part of Pali Village and Kuantu Li of Peitou The occupance is mainly developed on the hillside terraces.
Weather condition is characterized by high temperature and abundant rainfall. In winter, it is dominated by monsoon with strong winds. Distributions of rainfall throughout the year are equal. It is favorable to the development of agriculture. Humidity, though rather high, is still low compared with Taipei and Keelung. In summer time, weather is usually fine.
The economy is chiefly agricultural. Rice, peanuts, sweet potatos, tea, and orange trees are the major crops. Population is denser in the north than in the south. Agriculturally, it has reached the point of saturation.
This area lies at the mouth of the Tam Shui River, the valley of which, constitutes the center of gravity of Taiwan. To prevent floods, the Tam Shui River should be regulated. Emphasis of development in this area should be-laid upon the cultivation of oranges, the opening of seaport, the development of industry and the promotion of tourism. |
