Jiji Township 集集鎭 Shūshū, Chi-Chi | |
|---|---|
 Rail tracks of the Jiji Line | |
 Jiji Township in Nantou County | |
| Location | Nantou County, Taiwan |
| Area | |
• Total | 50 km2 (19 sq mi) |
| Population (February 2023) | |
• Total | 10,056 |
| • Density | 200/km2 (520/sq mi) |
Jiji (Chinese:集集;pinyin:Jíjí;Wade–Giles:Chi2-chi2;Pe̍h-ōe-jī:Chi̍p-chi̍p) orChichi is an urbantownship located in the west central portion ofNantou County, Taiwan. Jiji is the smallest of Taiwan's townships by area.
The township is a popular destination on theJiji Railway Line. In March 2012, it was named one of theTop 10 Small Tourist Towns by the Tourism Bureau of Taiwan.[1]
Han Chinese fromZhangzhou began arriving in the area in 1771.[2] The name originates from "Chiv-Chiv", a phrase in theFormosan languages.[citation needed]
During theJapanese era (1895–1945), Jiji was a collection and shipping export point for camphor produced in the surrounding areas. By 1940, it was administrated as Shūshū Town (集集街), Niitaka District (新高郡),Taichū Prefecture (nowTaichung.) Jiji township then encompassed a much larger area that included the present-dayShuili Township.
In 1946, Niitaka District was renamed Yushan District (玉山區),Taichung County, and Jiji contemporaneously became a township. In 1950, Shuili Township was separated from Jiji.[citation needed] During World War II, a U.S. bomber was shot down by Japanese artillery, killing four airmen.[citation needed]
The township was the epicenter of the eponymous and devastating 1999Chi-Chi earthquake.
As of February 2023, Jiji was home to a total population of 10,056, including 5,745 males and 5,290 females.[3] Historically, the population peaked at 16,395 in 1970, and has fallen steadily since then. By contrast, the number of households grew from 2,772 in 1970 to a high of 4,376 in 2014, falling slightly to 4,308 by 2016.[4]
Jiji is bordered byZhongliao to the north,Mingjian to the west,Zhushan andLugu to the south, andShuili to the east. TheZhuoshui River flows westward along the south border of the township. Jiji Township has a total area of 49.72 square kilometers. The lowest point in the township is 230 m above sea level and its highest point is Big Jiji Mountain (集集大山) at 1392 m above sea level. The township is rather mountainous and is surrounded by mountains on all sides.[5]
Jiji is divided into 11villages: Ailiao, Bazhang, Fushan, Guangming, Heping, Jiji, Linwei, Tianliao, Yongchang, Yuying and Wucuo.
The 2014 mayoral election was won by 29-year-oldChen Chi-heng of the newly formedTrees Party, in what was characterized by the media as a surprise.[6]
Jiji Township is served byJiji Station andLongquan Station ofTaiwan RailwayJiji line.
