Introduction to Geography of Taiwan
Taiwan, also Formosa , an island off the southeast coast of China and the seat of the Chinese Nationalist government (Republic of China). The island, some 100 miles (160 km) from the mainland, is bordered by the East China Sea, the Pacific Ocean, the South China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait. For many years after World War II, the government in Taiwan claimed to rule all of China, and the Peoples Republic of China on the mainland claimed to rule Taiwan as part of China. A dispute between Taiwan and mainland China, concerning the status of Taiwan's government, continued into the 21st century.
Facts in brief about Taiwan
Physical Geography
Taiwan is an island in the South China Sea.Rugged ranges of the Chungyang Mountains blanket the eastern two-thirds of the island. The highest peak is Yu Shan, which rises to an elevation of 13,113 feet (3,997 m). Along the east coast some of the world's highest cliffs drop abruptly into the Pacific. The western third of the island is relatively level and contains fertile alluvial plains, formed by material washed down from the mountains. The island has frequent minor earthquakes. The Choshui, Hsiatanshui, and Tanshui are the largest rivers. Some streams have been harnessed to provide hydroelectric power.
Located on the Tropic of Cancer, Taiwan has a subtropical monsoonal type of climate. Average temperatures on the lowlands range from about 60° to 65° F. (16° to 18° C.) in January to 80° to 85° F. (27° to 29° C.) in July. The annual precipitation varies from 50 inches (1,270 mm) on the lowlands to as much as 250 inches (6,350 mm) in the mountains. The rainy season extends from October to April in the north and from April to September in the south. One or more typhoons normally occur each summer.
Slightly more than 50 per cent of the island is forested. Mangrove forests are found along the coast. Inland there are tropical and semitropical forests. Coniferous forests predominate at the higher altitudes.
Economy
Japan began Taiwan's industrial development after gaining the island in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894–95. Since the early 1950's, under Chinese Nationalist control, Taiwan has developed a strong, diversified economy, based on manufacturing and services. Taiwan is one of the leading exporters of manufactured products in Asia. United States aid, large-scale foreign investment, and an abundant, well-educated labor force have played major roles in the island's rapid industrialization. Leading industries produce chemical and petroleum products, metal goods, machinery, electrical and electronic equipment, automobiles, textiles, clothing, and processed foods.
Despite a decline in relative value, agriculture remains a vital sector of the economy. Farming is limited mainly to the western lowlands, where virtually all available land is devoted to crops. Most farms are small, averaging about three acres (1.2 hectares) each. The mild climate and extensive use of irrigation permit the growing of two or three crops a year. Rice, sugarcane, sweet potatoes, cassava, corn, peanuts, citrus fruit, bananas, and pineapples are among the main crops. Pork, fowl, and fish are the chief protein foods. Most of the fish are caught in coastal waters and in inland ponds.
Taiwan produces timber and a number of minerals, including coal and natural gas. but meets most of its wood and mineral needs through imports.
The railway and highway systems, begun by the Japanese in the decades before World War II, are among the best in Asia. The chief seaports are Kaohsiung and Chilung. There are international airports near Taipei and Kaohsiung.
Foreign trade has grown enormously since the 1950's. Among the main exports are clothing and textiles, television sets and other electronic consumer products, machinery, transportation equipment, plastic items, and toys. Most of the trade is with the United States and Japan.
The People
The great majority of the Taiwanese are descendants of 18th- and 19th-century immigrants from adjacent mainland provinces of China, particularly Fujian. More recent arrivals—those who fled mainland China in 1949 and their descendants—form the most influential group on the island.
Mandarin Chinese is the official language, but southern Chinese dialects are commonly used by most of the people. Buddhism and Taoism are the main religious beliefs.
Education is free and compulsory for children aged 6 to 15. Taiwan has many private and government institutions of higher learning, chief of which is National Taiwan University, at Taipei.
Government
Taiwan is governed under the constitution of the Republic of China, which was adopted in 1947 for all of China. It was extensively amended in 1972 and 1994.
The president (head of state) and vice president are popularly elected for four-year terms. The president names the premier (head of government) and the Executive Yuan, or cabinet. The Legislative Yuan, whose members are elected to three-year terms, is the lawmaking body. The National Assembly, whose members are popularly elected for four-year terms, formerly was the body that chose the president and vice president; it continues to exist under the constitution as amended in 1994, with the power to remove the president from office and to amend the constitution.