新竹沿海區域首尾不大，南北僅約28公里長，但卻再可分割成二到四個次區域。北端的新豐區位於湖口臺地尾迆，其居民的維生方式反映了臺地、靠海、地處偏僻等三種環境特徵的交互影響，土地贍養力受到侷限，地理形勢較孤立。新竹平原沿海地區可再分為三個區域：鳳岡區、南寮區、香山區，洲潟型海岸地形架構出基本的人文生態構造，其中以南寮區為最典型的洲潟型海岸區域。區內各次區域相同之處在於臨海，但在局部的自然環境差異，以及持續的人地辯證過程中，造就同中有異的區域發展特質。本區所展現的共同特色是：位居農業發展的風頭水尾之地，多元維生方式的區域經濟型態，傳統聚落的血緣性特徵顯著；在清代，業戶的控制力較強，加上泉州系移民裔高度優佔的情況下，母語均質性高、庶民文化近似，較相較於臺灣其它地區，本區歷來是械鬥鮮少，社群關係相對安定的區域。相異之處在於新豐區向海擴張的空間有限，港灣條件較差，紅土臺地區較貧瘠，灌溉受限，地理區位偏僻等；東鄰環繞祖籍廣東的半福佬客，使得其人文區域性格相對突出。新竹平原區的環境特質是：西臨潟湖、東接平原、沿海浮復地持續陸化、整個平原區族群均一。這樣的人文生態環境，一方面潛藏維持生活及生計的艱辛；另一方面卻提供經濟多元發展的潛力、居民生活空間持續向海擴張、土地贍養壓力可獲得抒解，建構出一個穩定發展的人文生態區。

The area of Hsinchu Coastal Region is not too large, but it can be further divided into two or four sub-regions. The Xinfeng Region locates in the western tip of Hukou Tableland. The residents' livelihoods reflect the interactive effects of the three environmental features: tableland landforms, closeness to the sea and remoteness of the area. The land capacity was confined in the past, and the location is relatively isolated. The Coastal Region of Hsinchu Plain can be divided into three sub-regions: Fengkang Region, Nanliao Region and Xiangsan Region. In this study, we employ the concept of "liman type" coast to frame the basic natural environment structure of the study area. Nanliao Region exhibits the most typical "liman type" coast. The similarity among sub-regions is the closeness to the sea. Due to differences in environmental features and dialectical relationship between man and land, this resulted in unique differences and similarities in this region's development. The similar environmental characteristics include: location on the periphery of agricultural land, multi--sustaining styles in regional economy, and significant kinship relationship within traditional settlements. In this area during the Qing Dynasty governance, there were few fights among settlers and relatively stable social relationships due to powerful control of the landlords, Quanjhou immigrants' predominance, high homogeneity of mother tongue, and similar cultures among peasants. The negative aspect of Xinfeng Region's environmental characteristics include: habitants' confined living space, infertile land, shortage of irrigation water, remote location and so on. The eastern side of the Xinfeng Region was settled by "Half-Hohlo-Hakka" people whose ancestors emigrated from Guangdong. It makes remarkable regional character for Xinfeng Region. Hsinchu Plain Region’s environmental characteristics include: adjoining lagoons westward, bordering plains eastward, expanding polders and inhabitants' living space. For all these reasons, compared with other regions in Taiwan, Nanliao Region was a relatively tranquil and developing region. The unique geographical features give the Hsinchu Coastal Region a stable basis for regional development. Deep man-land interactions mold the vivid regional character.