Yunlin County is located in central Taiwan, bordered by the Taiwan Strait to the west. To the east, it is separated from Nantou County by the Douliu Hills, while its southern boundary, marked by the Beigang River and Shigui River, neighbors Chiayi County. The northern border is defined by the Zhuoshui River, which separates it from Changhua County. Yunlin County also includes the Waisanding Sandbar. The county seat and largest city is Douliu City. However, due to administrative changes, Yunlin is the only county in Taiwan that does not have a city sharing its name. The county consists of 1 city, 5 towns, and 14 townships, totaling 20 administrative divisions.
Geography and Natural Environment
Most of Yunlin County lies within the Chianan Plain, characterized by flat terrain and a mild climate, making it highly suitable for agriculture. The eastern border, where it meets Nantou County, is more elevated as it belongs to the Alishan Mountain Range. The county is divided into the Zhuoshui River alluvial plain in the north and the Chianan Plain in the south, forming an extensive agricultural region.
Yunlin has a subtropical monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of approximately 22.6°C. The county receives an average annual rainfall of 1,028.9 mm, making it relatively dry, especially during autumn and winter when precipitation is lower.
Economy and Industry
Agriculture, fisheries, and the sugar industry are the primary economic sectors in Yunlin County. Known as the "Agricultural Capital of Taiwan," Yunlin is famous for producing pomelos, oranges, Murcott mandarins, Yunding tea, pickled mustard greens, watermelons, papayas, melons, carambolas, Zhuoshui rice, soy sauce, and more. Gukeng Township, located in the mountainous region, is particularly well-known for its coffee production, giving rise to the unique "Gukeng Coffee" industry, which plays a significant role in Taiwan’s coffee culture.
Despite its agricultural focus, Yunlin County is home to Taiwan’s largest petrochemical industrial complex, the Sixth Naphtha Cracking Plant. With an annual output value reaching NT$2 trillion, this plant contributes to about 10% of Taiwan’s GDP and is a key source of local economic production. However, due to long-standing policies favoring northern over southern Taiwan, Yunlin's industrial development remains smaller in scale compared to other western counties and cities. As a result, the county is still primarily recognized for its agricultural and petrochemical industries.
With a strong agricultural foundation, abundant specialty crops, and rich fishing resources, Yunlin County maintains a unique economic structure. From the vast farmlands and fruit and rice production of the Chianan Plain to the distinct flavors of Gukeng Coffee, Yunlin showcases the diversity of Taiwan’s agricultural sector and local cultural heritage.
