Taiwan has an oceanic and subtropical monsoon climate, with average temperatures ranging from 15°C in January to 28°C in July, and annual rainfall of around 2,500 mm. Summers are usually hot and humid, while winters are short and mild. In addition, Taiwan is situated in the path of tropical storms and typhoons. In 2005, four typhoons made landfall on Taiwan.

This chapter briefly introduces the topographic and climatic features of Taiwan proper, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, and other outlying islands.

Taiwan

Off the eastern coast of Asia lie the mountainous island arcs of the western Pacific. The island chain closest to the continent marks the edge of the Asiatic Continental Shelf. Taiwan, one of the islands in this chain, is the largest body of land between Japan and the Philippines.

The island of Taiwan is often described as being shaped like a leaf, and is located between 21°53'50" and 25°18'20" N latitude and between 120°01'00" and 121°59'15" E longitude.

With a total area of 35,879 sq. km, Taiwan is separated from China by the Taiwan Strait, which is about 220 km at its widest point and 130 km at its narrowest. The island is almost equidistant from Shanghai and Hong Kong.

The surface geology of the island varies in age from very recent alluvial deposits to earlier sedimentary and crystalline rocks. A tilted fault block running roughly northeast to southwest gives the island its structure. The steep slope of this tilted block faces east and the rock mass slopes more gently to the west. This block is composed primarily of ancient rocks, some of which have been subjected to heat and pressure. Only one-third of the land is arable. The mountains are mostly forested, with some minerals, chiefly coal, at the northern end.

On the east coast, the mountains rise steeply from the Pacific. To the west of these mountains, level sediments lay just below the surface of the sea. Over time, river deposits have filled the shallow waters and extended the land 15 to 30 km westward from the foothills, giving Taiwan a larger proportion of arable level land than either Japan or the Philippines. This coastal plain is valued highly for its natural resources and suitability for agriculture.

Taiwan's shoreline is relatively smooth and unbroken. Small areas of coral reef have built up off the coast of the island's southern end.

With many peaks higher than 3,000 meters, the most prominent feature of Taiwan's topography is the ridge of mountains running north to south along the island's central axis. Steep mountains over 1,000 meters high constitute about 31 percent of the island's land; hills and terraces between 100 and 1,000 meters above sea level make up 38 percent; and alluvial plains below 100 meters in elevation, where most people, agriculture, and industries are concentrated, account for the remaining 31 percent. Based on differences in elevation, relative relief character of rock formations, and structural patterns, the island can be divided physiographically into five major divisions: mountain ranges, volcanic mountains, foothills, tablelands, and coastal plains and basins.

Area and Geographical Position of Taiwan
Geographical Division	Area (sq. km)	No. of Islands	Coastline (km)	Longitude Aspect　Apex		Latitude Aspect　Apex
Total Taiwan Area*	36,006 ** (13,901 sq. miles)	87	1,566.3	Eastern Point	124°34'09"	Northern Point	25°56'21"
				Western Point	119°18'03"	Southern Point	21°45'18"
Taiwan Proper	35,879	23	1,239.6	Eastern Point	121°59'15"	Northern Point	25°18'20"
				Western Point	120°01'00"	Southern Point	21°53'50"
Penghu Islands	127	64	326.8	Eastern Point	119°42'54"	Northern Point	23°45'41"
				Western Point	119°18'03"	Southern Point	23°09'40"
*Not including Kinmen and Matsu			**Including reclaimed tidal land
Source: Ministry of the Interior

Foothills

Taiwan's foothills are found in a narrow zone surrounding the Central Mountains. With an elevation of 100 to 500 meters, they connect the Central Mountains to the tablelands via continuous slopes. Characteristic topographic features of this zone include low hills with gentle slopes, longitudinal valleys woven with transverse gullies, as well as broad escarpments and short hogbacks formed on fault scarps or along rock formations.

Along the Central Mountains, the broadest expanses of foothills are those between Keelung 基隆 and Miaoli 苗栗, and those extending from Chiayi 嘉義 to Pingtung 屏東. The latter are located below the Alishan Mountains, with their northern border at Jhuoshuei River 濁水溪 and southern border between Kaohsiung 高雄 and Pingtung. There is a shallow-faulted region between these foothills and the Fongyuan 豐原 foothills, extending from Fongyuan, just north of Taichung 臺中, to Nantou 南投, some distance to the south. This is the widest section of foothills in western Taiwan. It is intersected by three rivers: the Dajia 大甲溪, Dadu 大肚溪, and Jhuoshuei. Included in this region is the Sun Moon Lake Basin 日月潭盆地, which lies about 765 meters above sea level and forms a graben basin, that is, an elongated depression between geologic faults. At the southern flank of the Central Mountains, the Hengchun foothills occupy most of the Hengchun Peninsula 恆春半島. The topography is downgraded on the eastern and western sides.

Terrace Tablelands

Below the foothills, Taiwan's terrain gradually reduces in height to tablelands of 100 to 500 meters in height. These thick deposits of well-rounded sandstone gravel are usually accumulations of eroded material washed down from higher areas, though some of the gravel beds may have been deposited near the sea and then raised into flat-topped tablelands by recent tilting. The broadest tableland is the one between Taoyuan 桃園 and Hsinchu 新竹 in northern Taiwan. Next in size are the Houli Terrace 后里臺地 in Taichung, the Dadu Terrace 大度臺地 and Bagua Terrace 八卦臺地 in Changhua 彰化, and the Hengchun Terrace 恆春臺地 in southern Taiwan.

Coastal Plains, Basins, and Valleys

A sea of blossoms grows in the East Longitudinal Valley, a narrow rift valley that runs through Hualien and Taitung counties. (Chen Chih, courtesy of the Tourism Bureau)

To the west, the physical character of Taiwan changes through the foothills zone to the alluvial plain. Topographically, the coastal plains and basins are monotonously flat, except near the foothills. All of the larger rivers running through the plains have their sources in the high mountains. As they emerge from the western foothills, these rivers diverge into a number of channels and meander to the ocean, forming large alluvial deltas. Many of these have been linked by irrigation and drainage canals.

The coastal plains are generally covered with gravel, sand, and clay, with an average altitude of less than 100 meters above sea level. Slopes are gentle enough to eliminate the need for major terracing and are rarely subject to serious soil erosion. The western edge of the plain, where it meets the Taiwan Strait, is marked by wide tidal flats, and the coast is swampy. Shore currents have built up a series of spits and offshore bars, with many lagoons formed by shoreward shifting of the sandbars.

The Jianan Plain 嘉南平原 is the broadest in southwestern Taiwan, extending from Changhua to Kaohsiung. It is about 180 km long and 43 km wide at its broadest point, making up more than 12 percent of the total land area of Taiwan. Next largest are the Pingtung Plain 屏東平原 and Yilan Plain 宜蘭平原. Finally, there are two major basins, the Taipei Basin 臺北盆地 and Taichung Basin 臺中盆地.

The East Longitudinal Valley 花東縱谷 is an extremely narrow fault valley. It has an elevation of about 120 meters above sea level and dips slightly toward the east. Coalescing alluvial fans have developed at the foot of both sides, and the riverbeds are filled with gravel. Due to repeated movements along the fault line and frequent shocks, subordinate watersheds have developed in the valley.

Rivers and Lakes

The Central Mountains form the major watershed for Taiwan's rivers and streams, meaning that most rivers in Taiwan flow in either an easterly or westerly direction. They are short and steep, especially on the eastern side of the island, and become torrential during rainstorms, carrying large amounts of mud and silt. Riverbeds tend to be wide and shallow, making management and development of these water resources difficult.

Taiwan has 151 rivers and streams. Jhuoshuei River is the longest (187 km); Gaoping River 高屏溪 has the largest drainage basin (3,257 sq. km).

There are fewer lakes than rivers in Taiwan. Most of these lakes are located in western Taiwan. Many lakes have been transformed into reservoirs for storage, irrigation, and water supply purposes. Sun Moon Lake 日月潭 in Nantou County is the largest and deepest lake in Taiwan. It is 750 m above sea level, and has a body of water about 827 hectares in area and 30 meters in depth. The second and third largest lakes are Longluan Lake 龍鑾潭 on the plain of Hengchun Peninsula 恆春半島 at the southern tip of Taiwan and Liyu Lake 鯉魚潭 in Hualien County; both are about 100 hectares in area. There are also a dozen high mountain lakes on the sides of the Syue Mountains and Central Mountains. Jiaming Lake 嘉明湖 in the southern section of the Central Mountains is the only lake formed by the impact of a meteor in Taiwan.

Major Rivers in Taiwan
River	Drainage (sq. km)	Length (km)	Passes Through
Lanyang River 蘭陽溪	978	73	Yilan County
Danshuei River 淡水河	2,726	159	Taipei City, and Taipei and Taoyuan counties
Toucian River 頭前溪	566	63	Hsinchu City and County
Fongshan River 鳳山溪	250	45	Hsinchu County
Jhonggang River 中港溪	446	54	Hsinchu and Miaoli counties
Houlong River 後龍溪	537	58	Miaoli County
Da-an River 大安溪	758	96	Miaoli and Taichung counties
Dajia River 大甲溪	1,236	124	Taichung County
Wu River 烏溪	2,026	119	Taichung, Changhua, and Nantou counties
Jhuoshuei River 濁水溪	3,157	187	Nantou, Changhua, and Yunlin counties
Beigang River 北港溪	645	82	Yunlin and Chiayi counties
Puzih River 朴子溪	426	76	Chiayi City and County
Bajhang River 八掌溪	475	81	Chiayi and Tainan counties
Jishuei River 急水溪	379	65	Tainan County
Zengwun River 曾文溪	1,177	138	Tainan City, and Chiayi and Tainan counties
Yanshuei River 鹽水溪	340	41	Tainan City and County
Erren River 二仁溪	339	61	Tainan City, Tainan and Kaohsiung counties
Agongdian River 阿公店溪	137	38	Kaohsiung County
Gaoping River 高屏溪	3,257	171	Kaohsiung and Pingtung counties
Donggang River 東港溪	472	44	Pingtung County
Sihchong River 四重溪	125	32	Pingtung County
Beinan River 卑南溪	1,603	84	Taitung County
Heping River 和平溪	562	48	Yilan and Hualien counties
Siouguluan River 秀姑巒溪	1,790	81	Hualien County
Hualien River 花蓮溪	1,507	57	Hualien County
Source: Ministry of the Interior; Water Resources Agency, Ministry of Economic Affairs

Natural Vegetation and Soils

Because of Taiwan's location, plant species are diverse and abundant. The varying altitude of the island's mountains provides climatic and vegetation zones ranging from subtropical to alpine. Except for the western coastal plain and the Penghu Islands, Taiwan was once entirely covered by forests. The forested area today is estimated at 1.9 million hectares, or around 53 percent of the total land area.

Acacia trees are ubiquitous on Taiwan's lower hills. Bamboo groves and forests are found naturally in central and northern Taiwan, whereas most stands of bamboo in the south are cultivated on farms. Outside of forests, bamboo is normally confined to relatively moist areas and can, therefore, be cultivated almost anywhere in the Taiwan area.

The flora of Taiwan resembles that of China. A wide range of Asian subtropical species are found in the lowlands, and low-altitude flora is closely related to that of China's southern provinces. Mountain flora is related to that of western China, and high alpine flora to that of the Himalayan region.

Soils vary in fertility. Many have lost their natural fertility after centuries of irrigation and heavy rainfall. In the north, the soils of arable land are primarily acid alluvia and diluvial latosols, some of which are residuals. In the southwest, where agricultural production is concentrated, most of the arable soils are alluvia of neutral to weak alkalinity and planosol-like alluvia. Upland soils of mountainous areas are mostly lithosols, which are usually thin and infertile.

Climatic Statistics for Selected Locations in Taiwan 1975-2004
City	Average Temperature(°C) Annual　January　July			Average Annual Rainfall (mm)	Average No. of Rainy Days per Year
Taipei	22.8	15.9	27.4	2,331.4	165
Keelung	22.5	15.9	29.2	3,688.1	200
Taichung	23.2	16.4	28.5	1,642.2	112
Hualien	23.4	17.8	28.4	2,062.9	157
Kaohsiung	24.9	19.0	29.0	1,743.3	90
Hengchun	25.1	20.6	28.3	1,946.7	121
Source: Central Weather Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications

Climate

Situated off the east coast of Asia and in the path of warm ocean currents, Taiwan has an oceanic and subtropical monsoon climate, conspicuously influenced by its topography. Summers are long with high humidity; winters are short and usually mild, though snow is visible on the peaks of high mountains during the coldest months. Frost is rare in the lowlands where most of the population lives and works. Mean monthly temperatures range from 15°C to 20°C in the winter to around 28°C in the summer. The highest (40.2°C; May 2004) and lowest (-1.0°C; February 1901) urban temperatures were recorded in Chenggong 成功, Taitung County and Taichung respectively. Relative humidity over the whole island averages around 80 percent the whole year round.

Taiwan is in the trade wind belt of the planetary wind system and is greatly affected by the seasonal exchange of air masses between the continent and the ocean. Besides location and topography, the winter (northeast) and summer (southwest) monsoons are major factors influencing Taiwan's climate.

Changes in wind direction between the winter and summer monsoons mean that the seasonal distribution of rainfall in northern Taiwan is different from that in the south. The northeast monsoon in the winter lasts from October to late March and brings steady rain to the windward (northeast) side of the island. The central and southern parts of the island, however, are on the leeward side of the northeast monsoon, meaning that they tend to have sunny winters, with less than 30 percent of their annual precipitation falling in this period.

The annual "plum rain" 梅雨 season in May and June also brings a lot of precipitation. In the summer, the southwest monsoon begins in early May and ends in late September. During this period, southern Taiwan usually has wet weather, while northern Taiwan is relatively dry. The moisture, carried by the southwest monsoon and local terrestrial winds, falls largely in convectional form. Thundershowers and typhoons bring Taiwan heavy rainfalls during the summer months.

Taiwan lies in the path of many tropical storms and typhoons. With violent winds and extremely heavy rainfall, these storms often cause severe damage, especially to crops. Nevertheless, they are a significant source of water in the Taiwan area. During a typhoon, windward mountain slopes may receive as much as 300 mm of rainfall in 24 hours. An average of three to four typhoons hit Taiwan every year, usually in July, August, and September. In 2005, four typhoons hit Taiwan, of which three, Haitang, Talim, and Longwang (with violent maximum wind speeds of greater than 100 knots) made landfall on eastern Taiwan and brought torrential rain and strong gusts to the entire island. Longwang set a new record of 125-knot gusts at Hualien despite having swiftly crossed the island.

Tropical Storms / Typhoons in 2005
Duration	Name	Category	Vmax (kt)
June 12-20	Haitang	Typhoon	105
July 31-Aug. 7	Matsa	Typhoon	80
Aug. 11-14	Sanvu	Tropical storm	50
Aug. 27-Sept. 2	Talim	Typhoon	105
Sept. 26-Oct. 3	Longwang	Typhoon	100
Notes: Vmax is vorticity maximum; Tropical storm is ≧34～＜50 　　　  knots per hour (kt); Severe tropical storm is ≧50～＜64 kt; 　　　  Typhoon is ≧64 kt Source: Central Weather Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and 　　　　 Communications

Taiwan's water resource distribution is uneven in both time and space. Rivers tend to be steep and rapid meaning that, despite Taiwan's abundant rainfall, available water can be scarce. According to a statistical analysis by the Water Resources Agency under the Ministry of Economic Affairs 經濟部水利署, mean annual rainfall in the Taiwan area is 2,467 mm, a figure based on data collected between 1949 and 2004 at 529 rainfall gauging stations. Rainfall is most abundant in the northern region, with a mean annual rainfall of 2,905 mm, followed by the eastern region at 2,516 mm, southern region at 2,449 mm, and central region at 2,100 mm. The southern area of Taiwan receives 90 percent of its rainfall between May and October; precipitation falls more evenly in the north, with 60 percent falling between May and October. Throughout the entire Taiwan area, the driest period is between November and February.

Earthquakes

Taiwan has a high degree of seismic activity due to its location on the circum-Pacific seismic belt, and at the junction of the Manila and Ryukyu trenches along the west side of the Philippine Sea plate (PSP). The Philippine Sea plate and Eurasia plate (EUP) converge at a rate of about seven to eight centimeters per year. The convergence, which created the uplift that formed Taiwan's four major mountain ranges, continues its movement, putting most of the Taiwan area under a northwest-southeast compression. East of Taiwan, the PSP subducts northward beneath the EUP, while to the south of the island, the EUP underthrusts eastward beneath the PSP. Seismic activity in northeastern and southern Taiwan is associated with the two subduction zones. Activity in the rest of Taiwan is complex and even less predictable. Geologists have identified 42 active faults on the island.

In central and western Taiwan, quakes are less frequent and of smaller scale, and have a shallow focus. Any quakes in highly urbanized western Taiwan would cause greater damage and casualties because of its dense population. On September 21, 1999, a major earthquake occurred near Jiji Township 集集鎮 of Nantou County, about 150 km to the south of Taipei, registering a magnitude of 7.3 on the Richter scale. It was the largest inland seismic event to affect Taiwan in all of the 20th century.

However, most earthquakes in Taiwan are weak and have no impact on people's lives. In fact, more than 95 percent cannot be detected without the use of a seismometer.

Penghu Islands

Consisting of 64 islets, the Penghu Islands are situated in the Taiwan Strait between 119°18'03" and 119°42'54" E longitude, and 23°09'40" and 23°45'41" N latitude, that is, roughly midway between China and Taiwan. They form a natural demarcation between the East China Sea and the South China Sea. In the past, they were a key stop for ships sailing throughout the Far East and crossing the Pacific. Penghu is Taiwan's only county that is an archipelago.

Only 20 of the islands comprising Penghu are inhabited. Two of the three main islands, Yuwong 漁翁島 and Baisha 白沙島, are connected by two causeways, and the Cross-sea Bridge 跨海大橋, with its 76 spans, is the longest inter-island bridge in the Far East.

The total area of the islands is 126.86 sq. km. Penghu, the largest island of the archipelago, accounts for half of the total area and is home to 70 percent of the population.

The islands were formed by a mass of basalt rising from the sea through volcanic action. Due to long-term underwater erosion, the islands have a relatively flat terrain. Their highest point, located on Mao Island 貓嶼, is only 79 meters above sea level. There is some arable land on the three main islands, which vary in altitude from three to five meters above sea level. The islands have no rivers and are marked by winding coastlines forming numerous natural harbors. The shallow, warm water around the Penghu Islands favors the growth of coral, with numerous reefs sheltering the coral from sea waves.

The Penghu archipelago is characterized by hot summers, cold winters, and strong winds. From October to March, the northeastern monsoon brings winds that blow at a high velocity of nine meters per second. This often brings seawater to the islands in the form of "salty rain." From June to October, the southwest monsoon brings mild winds. Typhoons frequently hit the islands during the summer.

Annual rainfall in Penghu County is about 1,000 mm, only half the rainfall of the plains of Taiwan. Moreover, the strong monsoon winds result in a high rate of evaporation in Penghu. Over 1,800 mm of water, or 1.8 times its annual rainfall, evaporate every year. Ensuring a sufficient water supply is therefore a high priority. At present, there are five reservoirs in the Penghu area: Chenggong, Singren 興仁, Dongwei 東衛, Baisha Chihkan 白沙赤崁 (an underground reservoir with a capacity of 1,761,774 cubic meters), and Si-an 西安. In addition, virtually every household has its own private well.

Kinmen (Quemoy)

The 12 islands of the Kinmen group are located off the southeastern coast of China's Fujian Province, and cover an area of 150.45 sq. km. They lie at approximately 118°24' E longitude and 24°27' N latitude, a strategic position in the Taiwan Strait that blocks the mouth of Xiamen (Amoy) Bay.

The Kinmen Islands are 82 nautical miles west of the Penghu Islands and 150 nautical miles from Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan. The shortest distance from the main island of Kinmen to China is only 2,310 meters.

Although its satellite islets are low and flat, Kinmen itself is hilly. Taiwu Mountain 太武山 is the highest point of the island, rising to 253 meters in the eastern part of the island. Shuhao Mountain 菽蒿山 stretches into the sea, where precipitous cliffs have formed as a result of wave erosion. Most rivers in Kinmen are short and narrow with unsteady flows, so it has been necessary to construct reservoirs to provide an adequate water supply.

There are several harbors around Kinmen. Liaoluo Bay 料羅灣 on the southern tip of the island is best known, while Zihgan Port 子感港 of Liaoluo Bay is deep enough to accommodate ships of several thousand tons.

Rain showers in the Kinmen area usually occur from April to August, and typhoons often hit the islands in July and August. Easterlies last for about eight months each year, the average temperature varies from 13°C to 29°C, and the average relative humidity is 75 percent.

Matsu

Situated near the mouth of China's Min River 閩江, the Matsu Islands form the northern anchor of islands under Taiwan's effective jurisdiction. The main island of the complex is Nangan 南竿, but it is more commonly known as Matsu, which is the name of the major port of the island. Matsu is 114 nautical miles northwest of Keelung, the port city on the northern tip of Taiwan, and is also the same distance north from the Kinmen Islands. There are two harbors in Nangan: Fu-ao 福澳 and Matsu. Other major islands of the group are Beigan 北竿, Gaodeng 高登, Liang Island 亮島, Daciou 大坵, Siaociou 小坵, Dongyin 東引, Siyin 西引, Dongjyu 東莒, and Sijyu 西莒. Nangan is the largest island, with an area of 10.4 sq. km. Gaodeng is located only 5.5 nautical miles (9,250 meters) off the coast of China.

The islands were formed by an uplift of igneous rock. Granite is the Matsu area's major natural resource. Monsoon rains fall from August to May and typhoons come through during the summer.

Although the hilly terrain is not naturally well suited for agriculture, 10 reservoirs, 15 sea dikes, and 2 ponds have been constructed and 320 irrigation wells drilled to facilitate farming. Vegetable production has reached the point of self-sufficiency.

South China Sea

The ROC maintains a historical claim to the islands of the South China Sea. All are part of the territory of the Republic of China. Four groups of coral reef archipelagoes are scattered over this vast area: the Dongsha (Pratas) Islands 東沙群島, Nansha (Spratly) Islands 南沙群島, Sisha (Paracel) Islands 西沙群島, and Jhongsha (Macclesfield Bank) Islands 中沙群島. Currently, the ROC's effective jurisdiction includes the Dongsha Islands and Taiping Island 太平島.

Since 1993, the government's policy toward the region has been set by the Executive Yuan's Policy Guidelines for the South China Sea 南海政策綱領, which expresses Taiwan's desire to resolve all disputes peacefully, step up the exploration and management of resources in the South China Sea, promote cooperation with the other claimant states, and protect the ecology of the region. In keeping with its peaceful intentions, the government has pursued a policy of shifting authority for the Dongsha Islands and Taiping Island from military to civilian control. In 1999, responsibility for defending both islands was transferred from the Ministry of National Defense 國防部 to the Coast Guard Administration of the Executive Yuan 行政院海岸巡防署, and the administration of these islands was officially transferred to the Kaohsiung City Government.

Dongsha (Pratas) Islands

The Dongsha Islands comprise Dongsha Island 東沙島 and two coral reefs, the Beiwei Bank (North Vereker Bank) 北衛灘 and the Nanwei Bank (South Vereker Bank) 南衛灘. The archipelago is located in a strategically important position along the major sea route connecting the Pacific and Indian oceans, between 116°40' and 116°55' E longitude, and 20°35' and 20°47' N latitude. The group is 140 nautical miles south of Shantou 汕頭 in Guangdong Province, 430 nautical miles northwest of Manila, 170 miles southeast of Hong Kong, and 240 nautical miles southwest of Kaohsiung. Dongsha Island is a coral atoll with a land area of 2.38 sq. km. Shaped like a horseshoe, it extends 0.9 km from east to west, and 2.7 km from north to south. Of these islands, only Dongsha is always above water; North and South Vereker Bank are completely submerged at high tide. On Dongsha Island, the ROC government constructed a national monument on June 30, 1989, and an adjacent structure to protect the monument on May 18, 1993, to assert its sovereignty over the archipelago.

The Dongsha Islands enjoy a subtropical climate, and are influenced by the northeast monsoon during the winter. They experience their warmest weather in July, with an average temperature of 29.8°C. Temperatures are lowest in January, when the average is 22°C.

Areas around Dongsha provide excellent fishing grounds, and Taiwan's fishermen visit the region during March and April. In addition to being a source of fish, salt, and other minerals, the islands are an outpost for Taiwan's navy in the South China Sea. A hospital, power station, satellite tracking station, and runway have been built on Dongsha Island. A fishermen's service center, comprising three jetties and an onshore service center, also provides emergency shelter for fishermen operating in the South China Sea and gives directions to fishing boats.

Nansha (Spratly) Islands

The Nansha Islands 南沙群島 consist of 180 islands, reefs, cays, and banks, in an area that stretches 810 km from north to south and 900 km from east to west. Taiping Island, the major island of the group, is located in the center of the island group. Taiping Island is located 680 miles south of Hong Kong, 700 miles southwest of Kaohsiung, and 880 miles northeast of Singapore. James Shoal at the south of the island complex is the southernmost territory of the ROC.

Taiping Island is located at 114°22' E longitude and 10°23' N latitude. The island has a land area of only 0.48 sq. km, and stretches 1,360 m from east to west and 350 m from north to south. Its average altitude is 3.8 m above sea level. A cross-island highway runs about 1 km. The area has abundant fishing, mineral, and petroleum resources. The Jhongjhou Reef 中洲礁 is about 3.2 km north of Taiping Island, and a bird-watching tower has been constructed there.

The Nansha Islands have great strategic importance, and the Coast Guard Administration currently has people stationed on Taiping Island. Facilities on the island include a radar station, meteorological center, power plant, library, and activity center.

Pacific Coast Islands

Green Island, once the site of a political prison, is now open to tourists and is an ideal place for activities such as visits to seaside hot spring spas or scuba diving in the clear blue ocean. (Lai Kuo-yung)

The two major islands located off the Pacific coast of Taiwan are Green Island 綠島 and Orchid Island 蘭嶼.

To the northeast of Taiwan is the Diaoyutai Archipelago 釣魚臺列嶼, a tiny island group consisting of Diaoyutai Island 釣魚臺, Huangwei Islet 黃尾嶼, Chihwei Islet 赤尾嶼, South Islet (Nan Siao-dao) 南小島, North Islet (Bei Siao-dao) 北小島, and three neighboring reefs. The group has a total area of 6.3 sq. km, and lies just 75 nautical miles northeast of Pengjia Islet 彭佳嶼, Keelung. (These islets were officially included as part of Taiwan as early as the Ming dynasty.)

Related Websites
Ministry of the Interior：	http://www.moi.gov.tw
Central Weather Bureau：	http://www.cwb.gov.tw
Water Resources Agency, MOEA：	http://www.wra.gov.tw
Central Geological Survey, MOEA：	http://www.moeacgs.gov.tw
Penghu County Government：	http://www.penghu.gov.tw
Kinmen County Government：	http://www.kinmen.gov.tw
Lienchiang County Government：	http://www.matsu.gov.tw

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