Source: chinataiwan.org

07-02-2008 18:22

Geography

Taiwan is an island off the southeast coast of the China mainland. In addition to the main island of Taiwan, Taiwan comprises 15 islands in the Taiwan group and 64 islands in the Penghu (Pescadores) Archipelago. The total area of Taiwan, including the islands, is 35,981 sq. km (13,892 square miles). Of the total, the Taiwan island group accounts for 13,843 square miles, while the Penghu Archipelago, located to the west of Taiwan, has an area of 49 square miles. Taiwan is bounded to the north by the East China Sea, to the east by the Pacific Ocean, to the south by the Bashi Channel, which separates it from Philippines, and to the west by Taiwan Straits, which separates it from the China mainland. Taiwan forms part of the great island system rimming the western Pacific Ocean. It was once known as Formosa -- meaning beautiful -- a name given it by Portuguese explorers. Since 1949 when the Kuomingtang government fled the mainland and ruled the island, the government of the People's Republic of China has claimed jurisdiction over Taiwan, in a solemn stance that the island is an inseparable part of China.

Climates

Taiwan straddles the tropical and subtropical zones and has warm summers and mild winters. The climate is moderated by the warm water of the Kuroshio Current. The summer is long, lasting from April until November (200 days or more). In cold months the mean monthly temperature is about 15 Centigrade degrees. Beginning with April, the mean monthly temperature is above 20 Centigrade degrees. The highest mean monthly temperature reaches 30 Centigrade degrees from June to September. Lowland Taiwan is frost free. The temperature fall with altitude, and in winter the central mountains are covered with snow. Mean precipitation is 102 inches, although in some years the precipitation in summer along may exceed 200 inches. The upland are receives more rain than the west part. Rainfall is more even in the north. The precipitation in summer is about 80 percent of the annual total. There are more typhoons in July, August, and September than any other times; about 78 percent of the total occurs in these three months.

Landscape

Relief features: The island is formed by a great fault block trending north-northeast to the south-southwest, which is tilted toward the west. Its eastern margin, facing the Pacific Ocean and often lined with cliffs, marks the edge of the continental shelf. Its western section is on the slope of the shelf as is the Taiwan Strait, the shallower parts of which are only 320 feet below sea level. The coastline on the west is simple and straight, bordered with low sand dunes and lagoons. Deep-water ports are situated at Jilong, at the northern tip of the island, and at Gaoxiong, on the southwest coast. The crest of the Zhongyang Shanmai (Central Range) lies east of and parallels the island's axis. Scores of peaks rise above 10,000 feet, the highest being Yu Shan, (3,997 m). Around the mountainous area are numerous independent hills, with an average height of 5,000 feet. The relief on the east is very steep and that on the west quite gradual. The terrace tablelands and alluvial coastal plains in western Taiwan form the principal area of dense population; most of the majorities are located there. Drainage and soils: The rivers, all of which rise in the central range, are short and subject to extreme variations in flow. They are mostly shallow or dried up in the dry season, while there are floods in them on soon (rain-bearing wind) season. Lacking steady currents, most rivers are not navigable but are liable to cause floods, especially in the plains, necessitating extensive drainage systems.