The majority of the first settlers were engaged in farming. The rugged terrain, and damp climate encouraged the cultivation of tea and oranges. The past 30 years have seen Taiwan evolve from an agricultural based economy to that of an industrial-based nation. Industrial development in the Taipei basin spurred the growth of many satellite communities such as Yung Ho, Chung Ho and Pan Ch'iao.
近卅年來，國內由農業社會走向工商業社會，台北市近郊的許多鄉鎮，如三重、新莊、板橋、中和、土城、林口、瑞芳等，紛紛成為煙囪林立的工業區，也吸引大批就業人潮，為地方帶來繁榮。