西港鄉位於台南縣西南端，曾文溪下游北岸，為台南市與北門地 區的交通要道。北連佳里鎮、南接台南市安南區及台南縣安定鄉、西 臨七股鄉、東與麻豆鎮為鄰，就台南縣的鄉鎮分佈狀況來看，並非是 一個靠海、有港口的鄉鎮，但過去的歷文獻卻顯示出西港鄉與現今不 同的地形地貌狀況。 本文的研究方法，擬由地理學景觀變遷的角度與歷史學文獻分析 的方法，對早期西港鄉的人文景觀及聚落發展進行觀察與研究。透過 對前人研究成果及相關文獻資料的閱讀，耙梳出與西港地區聚落發 展有關的史料，並對這些文獻資料加以整理、解讀。希望透過本文的 研究，讓讀者對早期台灣不同區域間聚落發展的狀況與人文景觀的變 化，能夠有更深入的瞭解與認識。

Shigang Township located at west south of Tainan County and the lower north shore of Tsengwen River. It is an important communication line between Tainan City and Beimen Area. The north, south, west and east of Shigang Township is Jiali Township, Annan District of Tainan City and Anting Township of Tainan County, Chiku Township and Madou Township, it is not a township with port that near sea. However, the historical data shows the topography in Shigang Township was different in the past compares to what it has nowadays. From the change of geography and history literature analysis, this study was developed by observing and studying the development of humanities settlement in early stage at Shigang Township. The historical literature about the development of humanities settlement was compiled and interpreted by studying research report and related literature that edited in the past. This study aims to let readers have more understanding for the early development of humanities settlement in different areas in Taiwan.

台灣聚落；西港仔；西港鄉；聚落發展

Taiwan settlements；Shigang Zai; Shigng Township; Settlement Development