Geography of Taiwan

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Geography of Taiwan
low-level radioactive waste disposal[1]
Exclusive economic zone83,231 km2 (32,136 sq mi)
Taiwan
BUC
Dài-uăng

People's Republic of China (PRC). The East China Sea lies to the north of the island, the Philippine Sea to its east, the Luzon Strait directly to its south and the South China Sea to its southwest. The ROC also controls a number of smaller islands, including the Penghu archipelago in the Taiwan Strait, the Kinmen and Matsu Islands in Fuchien near the PRC's coast, and some of the South China Sea Islands
.

Geologically, the main island comprises a tilted

tectonic boundary that formed these ranges remains active, and the island experiences many earthquakes, some of them highly destructive. There are also many[quantify] active submarine volcanoes
in the Taiwan Straits.

The climate ranges from tropical in the south to subtropical in the north, and is governed by the East Asian Monsoon. On average, four typhoons strike the main island each year. The heavily forested eastern mountains provide a habitat for a diverse range of wildlife, while human land use in the western and northern lowlands is intensive.

Physical boundaries

The total land area of Taiwan is 36,197 km2 (13,976 sq mi),[2] slightly larger than Belgium. It has a coastline of 1,566.3 km (973.3 mi).[1] The ROC claims an exclusive economic zone of 83,231 km2 (32,136 sq mi) with 200 nmi (370.4 km; 230.2 mi) and a territorial sea of 12 nmi (22.2 km; 13.8 mi).[1][3]

Taiwan proper, the main island of the archipelago, was known in the West until after

central point of the island is in Puli Township, Nantou County. The southernmost point on the island is Cape Eluanbi in Hengchun Township, Pingtung County
.

The island of Taiwan is separated from the southeast coast of mainland China by the Taiwan Strait, which ranges from 220 km (140 mi) at its widest point to 130 km (81 mi) at its narrowest. Part of the continental shelf, the Strait is no more than 100 m (330 ft) deep, and has become a land bridge during glacial periods.[7]

To the south, the island of Taiwan is separated from the Philippine island of Luzon by the 250 km (155 mi)-wide Luzon Strait. The South China Sea lies to the southwest, the East China Sea to the north, and the Philippine Sea to the east.[8] Niushan Island in Nanlai village, Aoqian town, Pingtan County, Fuzhou, Fujian is the closest China (PRC)-administered island to Taiwan (main island).[9]

Smaller islands of the archipelago include the

Pratas and Taiping
islets in the South China Sea are also administered by the ROC, but are not part of the Taiwanese archipelago.

Geology

Taiwan lies on the western edge of the Philippine Plate.

The island of Taiwan was formed approximately 4 to 5 million years ago at a complex convergent boundary between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate. In a boundary running the length of the island and continuing southwards in the Luzon Volcanic Arc (including Green Island and Orchid Island), the Eurasian Plate is sliding under the Philippine Sea Plate.

Most of the island comprises a huge fault block tilted to the west.[11] The western part of the island, and much of the central range, consists of sedimentary deposits scraped from the descending edge of the Eurasian Plate. In the northeast of the island, and continuing eastwards in the

Ryukyu Volcanic Arc, the Philippine Sea Plate slides under the Eurasian Plate.[12][13]

The tectonic boundary remains active, and Taiwan experiences 15,000 to 18,000 earthquakes each year, of which 800 to 1,000 are noticed by people. The most catastrophic recent earthquake was the magnitude-7.3

a magnitude 6.4 earthquake hit southwestern Taiwan in the mountainous area of Kaohsiung County.[15]
Another major earthquake occurred on 6 February 2016, with a magnitude of 6.4. Tainan was damaged the most, with 117 deaths, most of them caused by the collapse of a 17-story apartment building.[16]

Terrain

relief map
of Taiwan

The terrain in Taiwan is divided into two parts: the flat to gently rolling plains in the west, where 90% of the population lives, and the mostly rugged forest-covered mountains in the eastern two-thirds.

The eastern part of the island is dominated by five mountain ranges, each running from north-northeast to south-southwest, roughly parallel to the east coast of the island. As a group, they extend 330 km (210 mi) from north to south and average about 80 kilometres (50 mi) from east to west. They include more than two hundred peaks with elevations of over 3,000 m (9,800 ft).[6]

The

Eluanbi at the southern tip of the island, forming a ridge of high mountains and serving as the island's principal watershed. The mountains are predominantly composed of hard rock formations resistant to weathering and erosion, although heavy rainfall has deeply scarred the sides with gorges and sharp valleys. The relative relief of the terrain is usually extensive, and the forest-clad mountains with their extreme ruggedness are almost impenetrable. The east side of the Central Mountain Range is the steepest mountain slope in Taiwan, with fault scarps ranging in height from 120 to 1,200 m (390 to 3,900 ft). Taroko National Park, on the steep eastern side of the range, has good examples of mountainous terrain, gorges and erosion
caused by a swiftly flowing river.

The

Huatung Valley
, at an altitude of 120 m (390 ft). Although Hsinkangshan (新港山), the highest peak, reaches an elevation of 1,682 m (5,518 ft), most of the range is composed of large hills. Small streams have developed on the flanks, but only one large river cuts across the range. Badlands are located at the western foot of the range, where the ground water level is the lowest and rock formations are the least resistant to weathering. Raised coral reefs along the east coast and the frequent occurrences of earthquakes in the rift valley indicate that the fault block is still rising.

The ranges to the west of the Central range are divided into two groups separated by the Sun Moon Lake Basin in the centre of the island. The Dadu and Zhuoshui Rivers flow from the western slopes of the Central Range through the basin to the west coast of the island.

The

Sandiaojiao, the northeast tip of the island, and gaining elevation as it extends southwest towards Nantou County. Xueshan
, the main peak, is 3,886 m (12,749 ft) high.

Sanguang River
in northwestern Taiwan

The Yushan Range runs along the southwestern flank of the Central Range. It includes the island's tallest peak, the 3,952 m (12,966 ft) Yu Shan ('Jade Mountain')[1][17][18] which makes Taiwan the world's fourth-highest island, and is the highest point in the western Pacific region outside of the Kamchatka Peninsula, New Guinea Highlands and Mount Kinabalu.[19]

The

Kaoping River
. The range has major elevations between 1,000 and 2,000 m (3,300 and 6,600 ft). The main peak, Data Mountain (大塔山), towers 2,663 m (8,737 ft).

Below the western foothills of the ranges, such as the

Chianan Plain in southwest Taiwan, with lesser areas in the Pingtung Plain, Taichung Basin and Taipei Basin. The only sizable plain on the east coast is the Yilan Plain in the northeast.[20]

Climate

Köppen climate classification of Taiwan

The island of Taiwan lies across the Tropic of Cancer, and its climate is influenced by the East Asian Monsoon. Northern Taiwan has a humid subtropical climate, with substantial seasonal variation of temperatures, while parts of central and most of southern Taiwan have a tropical monsoon climate where seasonal temperature variations are less noticeable, with temperatures typically varying from warm to hot. During the winter (November to March), the northeast experiences steady rain, while the central and southern parts of the island are mostly sunny. The summer monsoon (from May to October) accounts for 90% of the annual precipitation in the south, but only 60% in the north.[21] The average rainfall is approximately 2,600 mm per year.[21]

Taipei (Northern Taiwan)
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
83
 
 
19
14
 
 
170
 
 
20
14
 
 
180
 
 
22
16
 
 
178
 
 
26
19
 
 
235
 
 
29
22
 
 
326
 
 
32
25
 
 
245
 
 
34
26
 
 
322
 
 
34
26
 
 
361
 
 
31
25
 
 
149
 
 
28
22
 
 
83
 
 
24
19
 
 
73
 
 
21
16
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Central Weather Bureau
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
3.3
 
 
66
57
 
 
6.7
 
 
67
58
 
 
7.1
 
 
72
60
 
 
7
 
 
78
66
 
 
9.2
 
 
85
72
 
 
13
 
 
90
76
 
 
9.6
 
 
94
79
 
 
13
 
 
93
79
 
 
14
 
 
88
77
 
 
5.9
 
 
82
72
 
 
3.3
 
 
76
67
 
 
2.9
 
 
69
60
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Taichung (Central Taiwan)
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
36
 
 
22
13
 
 
88
 
 
22
14
 
 
94
 
 
25
16
 
 
135
 
 
28
20
 
 
225
 
 
30
23
 
 
343
 
 
32
24
 
 
246
 
 
33
25
 
 
317
 
 
33
25
 
 
98
 
 
32
24
 
 
16
 
 
30
22
 
 
19
 
 
27
18
 
 
26
 
 
24
14
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Central Weather Bureau
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
1.4
 
 
72
55
 
 
3.5
 
 
72
57
 
 
3.7
 
 
76
61
 
 
5.3
 
 
82
67
 
 
8.9
 
 
86
73
 
 
13
 
 
89
76
 
 
9.7
 
 
91
77
 
 
12
 
 
91
77
 
 
3.9
 
 
89
75
 
 
0.6
 
 
86
71
 
 
0.7
 
 
81
65
 
 
1
 
 
74
58
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Kaohsiung (Southern Taiwan)
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
16
 
 
24
16
 
 
21
 
 
25
17
 
 
39
 
 
27
19
 
 
70
 
 
29
22
 
 
197
 
 
31
25
 
 
415
 
 
32
26
 
 
391
 
 
32
26
 
 
417
 
 
32
26
 
 
242
 
 
31
26
 
 
43
 
 
30
24
 
 
19
 
 
28
21
 
 
16
 
 
25
17
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Central Weather Bureau
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
0.6
 
 
75
60
 
 
0.8
 
 
76
62
 
 
1.5
 
 
80
67
 
 
2.7
 
 
84
72
 
 
7.8
 
 
87
77
 
 
16
 
 
89
79
 
 
15
 
 
90
80
 
 
16
 
 
89
79
 
 
9.5
 
 
89
78
 
 
1.7
 
 
86
75
 
 
0.7
 
 
82
70
 
 
0.6
 
 
77
63
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Taitung (Eastern Taiwan)
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
43
 
 
23
17
 
 
48
 
 
24
17
 
 
43
 
 
25
19
 
 
74
 
 
28
21
 
 
157
 
 
30
23
 
 
248
 
 
31
25
 
 
281
 
 
32
26
 
 
308
 
 
32
26
 
 
299
 
 
31
25
 
 
236
 
 
29
23
 
 
78
 
 
27
21
 
 
42
 
 
24
18
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Central Weather Bureau
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
1.7
 
 
73
63
 
 
1.9
 
 
75
63
 
 
1.7
 
 
77
66
 
 
2.9
 
 
82
70
 
 
6.2
 
 
86
73
 
 
9.8
 
 
88
77
 
 
11
 
 
90
79
 
 
12
 
 
90
79
 
 
12
 
 
88
77
 
 
9.3
 
 
84
73
 
 
3.1
 
 
81
70
 
 
1.7
 
 
75
64
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

Typhoons are most likely to strike between July and October, with on average about four direct hits per year. Intensive rain from typhoons often leads to disastrous mudslides.[21]

Records

Area Max. temperature Date Earliest recording
°C °F
Taipei City
39.3 102.7 8 August 2013[22] 1896
Kaohsiung City
37.6 99.7 15 September 2014[23] 1932
Taitung County 40.2 104.4 9 May 2004[22]
Taoyuan City
37.9 100.2 15 September 2014[24]

Climate change

Climate change in Taiwan has caused temperatures in Taiwan to rise by 1.4 degrees Celsius the last 100 years.[25] The sea around Taiwan is to rise at twice the rate of the global sea level rise.[26] The government pledged to reduce emissions by 20% in 2030 and 50% in 2050, compared to 2005 levels.

Flora and fauna

Before extensive human settlement, the vegetation on Taiwan ranged from

boreal forest and alpine plants with increasing altitude.[27]
Most of the plains and low-lying hills of the west and north of the island have been cleared for agricultural use since the arrival of the
Cinnamomum camphora
) was once also widespread at lower altitudes.

Formosan serow

Taiwan is a center of bird endemism (see List of endemic birds of Taiwan).

Before the country's

Formosan landlocked salmon (Oncorhynchus masou formosanus). A few of these are now extinct, and many others have been designated endangered species
.

Taiwan has 65 species of fireflies, the third highest density after Jamaica and Costa Rica. Fireflies are protected and their numbers are increasing, but they are threatened by climate change in the long term.[28]

Taiwan had relatively few carnivores, 11 species in total, of which the Formosan clouded leopard is likely extinct and the otter restricted to Kinmen island.[29] The largest carnivore is the Formosan black bear (Selanarctos thibetanus formosanus), a rare and endangered species.[30]

Nine national parks in Taiwan showcase the archipelago's diverse terrain, flora and fauna. Kenting National Park on the southern tip of Taiwan contains uplifted coral reefs, moist tropical forest and marine ecosystems. Yushan National Park has alpine terrain, mountain ecology, forest types that vary with altitude, and remains of ancient roads. Yangmingshan National Park has volcanic geology, hot springs, waterfalls, and forest. Taroko National Park has a marble canyon, cliff, and fold mountains. Shei-Pa National Park has alpine ecosystems, geological terrain, and valley streams. Kinmen National Park has lakes, wetlands, coastal topography, flora and fauna-shaped island. Dongsha Atoll National Park has the Pratas reef atolls for integrity, a unique marine ecology, and biodiversity, and is a key habitat for the marine resources of the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.[31]

Natural resources

Taiwan fir (Abies kawakamii)

Natural resources on the islands include small deposits of gold, copper,[32] coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos.[1] The island is 55% forest and woodland (mostly on the mountains) and 24% arable land (mostly on the plains), with 15% going to other purposes. 5% is permanent pasture and 1% is permanent crops.

Because of the intensive exploitation throughout Taiwan's pre-modern and modern history, the island's mineral resources (e.g. coal, gold, marble), as well as wild animal reserves (e.g. deer), have been virtually exhausted. Moreover, much of Taiwan's forestry resources, especially firs were harvested during Japanese rule for the construction of shrines and have only recovered slightly since then. To this day, forests do not contribute to significant timber production mainly because of concerns about production costs and environmental regulations.

Agriculture

The few natural resources with significant economic value remaining in Taiwan are agriculture-associated. Sugarcane and rice have been cultivated in western Taiwan since the 17th century. Camphor extraction and sugar refining played an important role in Taiwan's exports from the late 19th century through the first half of the 20th century.[33] The importance of these industries declined mainly due to the reduction of international demand rather than the exhaustion of related natural resources.[34]

Domestic agriculture (rice being the dominant kind of crop) and

bell fruits, and high-mountain tea.[35]

Energy resources

Wind turbines in Taichung

Taiwan has significant coal deposits and some insignificant

six nuclear reactors and two under construction.[36] Nearly all oil and gas for transportation and power needs must be imported, making Taiwan particularly sensitive to fluctuations in energy prices. Taiwan is rich in wind energy resources, with wind farms both onshore and offshore, though limited land area favors offshore wind resources.[37] By promoting renewable energy, Taiwan's government hopes to also aid the nascent renewable energy manufacturing industry, and develop it into an export market.[citation needed
]

Human geography

Population density map of Taiwan

Taiwan has a population of over 23 million, the vast majority of whom live in the lowlands near the western coast of the island.[5] The island is highly urbanized, with nearly 9 million people living in the

Taipei–Keelung–Taoyuan metropolitan area at the northern end, and over 2 million each in the urban areas of Kaohsiung and Taichung.[38]

Taiwanese indigenous peoples comprise approximately 2% of the population, and now mostly live in the mountainous eastern part of the island.[39][40] Most scholars believe their ancestors arrived in Taiwan by sea between 4000 and 3000 BC, most likely from southeastern China.[41]

Han Chinese make up over 95% of the population.[42] Immigrants from southern Fujian began to farm the area around modern Tainan and Kaohsiung from the 17th century, later spreading across the western and northern plains and absorbing the indigenous population of those areas. Hakka people from eastern Guangdong arrived later and settled the foothills further inland, but the rugged uplands of the eastern half of the island remained the exclusive preserve of the indigenous peoples until the early 20th century.[43] A further 1.2 million people from throughout China entered Taiwan at the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949.[44]

Environmental issues

Motor scooters
are a very common means of transportation in Taiwan and contribute to urban air pollution.

Some areas in Taiwan with high population density and many factories are affected by heavy pollution. The most notable areas are the southern suburbs of Taipei and the western stretch from Tainan to Lin Yuan, south of Kaohsiung. By the late 20th century, Taipei suffered from extensive vehicle and factory

Motor scooters, especially older or cheaper two-stroke versions, which are ubiquitous in Taiwan, contribute disproportionately to urban air pollution.[46][47] The Taichung Power Plant also contributes significantly to air pollution, producing more CO2 than the country of Switzerland.[48]

Other environmental issues include

low-level radioactive waste disposal.[1] Though regulation of sulfate aerosol emissions from petroleum combustion is becoming stringent, acid rain remains a threat to the health of residents and forests. Atmospheric scientists in Taiwan estimate that more than half of the pollutants causing Taiwan's acid rain are carried from China by monsoon winds.[49]

Taiwan historically had a serious problem with the illegal dumping of household and industrial waste which became so severe that Taiwan was known as "garbage island." This high level of pollution led to civil and government action, by 2022 the recycling rate was one of the highest in the world at 55%. Community activism was key to this change along with innovations such as garbage trucks which play music.[50]

Illegal extraction by Chinese sand dredging vessels has caused significant damage to the marine environment of Taiwan's outlying areas. The Taiwan Banks are a particularly hard hit target.[51] Bottom trawling is a controversial practice due to the environmental damage it causes. Bottom trawlers with a tonnage under 50 are restricted from trawling within 5km of shore and those over 50 tons are restricted from trawling within 12km of shore. [52] In 2023 the maximum penalty for ocean pollution was raised from US$48,820 to US$3.25 million.[53]

Notes

References

Citations

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Works cited

External links