Geography of Taiwan facts for kids
Taiwan is mostly mountainous in the east, with gently sloping plains in the west. The Penghu Islands appear in the Taiwan Strait to the west of the main island.
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| Region | East Asia |
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| Area | Ranked 134 |
| • Total | 36,197 km2 (13,976 sq mi) |
| • Land | 89.7% |
| • Water | 10.3% |
| Coastline | 1,566.3 km (973.3 mi) |
| Highest point | Yu Shan, 3,952 m (12,966 ft) |
| Climate | Tropical marine |
| Natural resources | Small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, asbestos, arable land, rice |
| Environmental issues | Air pollution, water pollution from industrial emissions and raw sewage, contamination of drinking water, trade in endangered species, low-level radioactive waste disposal |
| Exclusive economic zone | 83,231 km2 (32,136 sq mi) |
Taiwan is an island country located in East Asia. The main island of Taiwan was once called Formosa, which comes from a Portuguese phrase meaning "beautiful island." It covers an area of 35,808 km2 (13,826 sq mi). Around 99% of the land managed by its government is on this single island. Taiwan sits across the Taiwan Strait from the southeastern coast of mainland China and Fujian Province. To the north lies the East China Sea, while the vast Philippine Sea rests to the east. Directly south across the Luzon Strait is the nation of the Philippines. Taiwan also takes care of several smaller islands, such as Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu.
Taiwan has an incredible landscape shaped by powerful forces deep inside the Earth. The eastern two-thirds of the island is filled with giant, rugged mountain ranges. Meanwhile, the western side is flat and gentle, which is where most people build their homes. Taiwan has huge mountain peaks, including Yu Shan, making it the fourth-highest island in the entire world! Because of its location on active tectonic plates, the island has many earthquakes and undersea volcanoes. The weather changes from warm subtropical areas in the north to sunny tropical zones in the south.
Contents
- Geographic Borders and Surrounding Waters of Taiwan
- How the Earth Created Taiwan: Geology and Earthquakes
- Landforms, Mountain Ranges, and River Basins
- Weather Patterns and the East Asian Monsoon
- Incredible Wildlife and Diverse Plant Communities
- Natural Resources, Farming, and Modern Energy
- Human Communities and Cities in Taiwan
- See also
Geographic Borders and Surrounding Waters of Taiwan
The total area of Taiwan covers 36,197 km2 (13,976 sq mi), which makes it just slightly larger than the European country of Belgium. The coastline runs for 1,566.3 km (973.3 mi) along sparkling ocean waters. Taiwan also looks after an exclusive economic zone covering 83,231 km2 (32,136 sq mi) of sea. The island itself is about 394 km (245 mi) long from top to bottom and 144 km (89 mi) wide across its middle. The furthest point in the north is Cape Fugui in New Taipei's Shimen District. The very center of the island is located in Puli Township within Nantou County. At the southern tip, you can visit Cape Eluanbi in Pingtung County.
Taiwan is separated from mainland China by the Taiwan Strait. This body of water ranges from 130 km (81 mi) to 220 km (140 mi) in width. The strait is shallow, usually less than 100 m (330 ft) deep. Long ago during ancient ice ages, sea levels dropped and created a land bridge. Animals and humans could actually walk across this dry ground! To the south, Taiwan is separated from the island of Luzon by the 250 km (155 mi)-wide Luzon Strait. The South China Sea lies to the southwest, while the northern shores touch the East China Sea.
Many charming small islands surround the mainland. The Penghu islands sit about 50 km (31 mi) to the west in the Taiwan Strait, covering 127 km2 (49 sq mi). A tiny coral islet named Xiaoliuqiu rests off the southwest coast. To the southeast lie Green Island and Orchid Island, which are separated from northern Philippine islands by the Bashi Channel. Further away near mainland China are the island groups of Kinmen and Matsu. Taiwan also manages Pratas and Taiping far out in the South China Sea.
How the Earth Created Taiwan: Geology and Earthquakes
The island of Taiwan is quite young compared to many other landmasses on Earth. It formed about 4 to 5 million years ago at a crashing boundary where giant tectonic plates collide. The Philippine Sea Plate pushes forcefully against the massive Eurasian Plate. In the south, the Eurasian Plate slides directly underneath the Philippine Sea Plate. This zone continues southward into a chain known as the Luzon Volcanic Arc. In northeastern Taiwan, the motion changes, and the Philippine Sea Plate slides under the Eurasian Plate along the Ryukyu Arc.
This enormous underground collision pushed layers of ancient rock upward out of the sea. It created a giant tilted fault block. The western part of the island consists of thick layers of crushed stone and sediment. Because these plates never stop moving, Taiwan experiences between 15,000 and 18,000 earthquakes every single year! Most of these tremors are so tiny that only scientific equipment can feel them. However, people can feel between 800 and 1,000 earthquakes each year. Geologists watch these movements closely to help protect towns and cities.
Sometimes, Taiwan experiences very powerful earthquakes that cause serious damage. On September 21, 1999, a huge tremor called the Chi-Chi earthquake struck the center of the island. It measured 7.3 on the magnitude scale and shook buildings across the country. In March 2010, the Kaohsiung earthquake shook the mountains in the southwest. Later, the 2016 Taiwan earthquake caused buildings to fall in the southern city of Tainan. Because of these events, engineers in Taiwan design modern schools and skyscrapers to sway safely during earthquakes.
Landforms, Mountain Ranges, and River Basins
Taiwan's geography features a dramatic split between soaring mountains and low plains. Rugged peaks blanket the eastern two-thirds of the island, while flat lands stretch across the west. Over 90% of the island's population lives on these western plains. Taiwan features five major mountain ranges running parallel to each other from north to south. These ranges stretch about 330 km (210 mi) in length. Remarkably, the island contains more than two hundred mountain peaks that rise over 3,000 m (9,800 ft) high!
The backbone of the entire island is the mighty Central Mountain Range. It extends from Su'ao in the north down to Eluanbi at the southern tip. This huge chain acts as the primary watershed, dividing rivers that flow east from those flowing west. The rocks here are extremely hard and resist weathering from wind and water. However, heavy rains have carved deep river canyons. The famous Taroko National Park sits on the eastern side of this range. It showcases dizzying marble cliffs created by continuous erosion from rushing water.
Along the eastern shoreline sits the East Coast Mountain Range. It stretches between the mouth of the Hualien River and Taitung County. This chain is made mostly of softer sandstone and shale. Between this coastal range and the Central Range lies the long, beautiful Huatung Valley. In this valley, underground water levels are low, producing strange landscapes known as badlands. Raised coral reef formations along the coast show scientists that these mountains are still slowly rising out of the sea.
Majestic Western Peaks and High Ranges
To the west of the Central Range, the mountains split around the scenic Sun Moon Lake Basin. Two major rivers, the Dadu River and the Zhuoshui River, flow out of these mountains and head west to the ocean. In the northwest lies the rugged Xueshan Range, which starts near the coastal point of Sandiaojiao. Its highest mountain is Xueshan, which towers 3,886 m (12,749 ft) into the clouds. Hikers from around the world visit this range to explore its alpine forests and rocky ridges.
Further south is the breathtaking Yushan Range. This range contains Taiwan's tallest peak, Yu Shan, which means "Jade Mountain." Standing at 3,952 m (12,966 ft), it is higher than Mount Fuji in Japan! It is also the tallest peak in the western Pacific outside of the Kamchatka Peninsula, the New Guinea Highlands, and Mount Kinabalu. Nearby sits the Alishan Range, which is famous for its misty forests and beautiful sunrises over rolling clouds. Its highest peak is Data Mountain, rising 2,663 m (8,737 ft) above sea level.
Plains, Plateaus, and River Valleys
At the foot of the mountains, you will find rolling hills like the Hsinchu Hills and Miaoli Hills. Over thousands of years, rivers carried bits of rock and dirt down from the heights. This gravel formed raised flat areas called terraces, including the Linkou Plateau, Taoyuan Plateau, and Dadu Plateau. Fast rivers like the Sanguang River continue to carry freshwater down through these valleys. These rivers provide clean water to nearby cities and nourish the rich soil below.
About 23% of Taiwan consists of flat alluvial plain land and wide river basins. The largest flat area is the Chianan Plain in southwestern Taiwan, which produces vast amounts of food. Other key flat areas include the Pingtung Plain, the Taichung Basin, and the bustling Taipei Basin where the capital city sits. On the eastern side of the island, the only large flat area is the fertile Yilan Plain. These flat regions are ideal for building roads, schools, farms, and busy modern neighborhoods.
Weather Patterns and the East Asian Monsoon
Taiwan's climate is divided neatly in two because the Tropic of Cancer passes directly through the middle of the island. The northern half experiences a humid subtropical climate, with distinct seasons and cooler winters. The southern half enjoys a tropical monsoon climate, where the weather stays pleasantly warm or hot all year long. The entire island is strongly affected by the seasonal winds of the East Asian monsoon. In the winter, chilly winds blow from the northeast, bringing gray skies and rain to northern cities.
Summer brings a shift in the winds, blowing warm, humid air from the southwest. Between May and October, southern Taiwan receives up to 90% of its yearly rain. In contrast, the northern half gets its rain spread more evenly throughout the year. Across the entire island, Taiwan gets an impressive average of about 2,600 millimeters of rainfall every year. This abundant rain feeds lush green forests and fills reservoirs with water used by millions of people.
Taiwan is also famous for huge storms called typhoons. A typhoon is a powerful tropical storm that forms over warm ocean water, similar to a hurricane. On average, about four typhoons make landfall on Taiwan every year, usually between July and October. While typhoons bring valuable water to reservoirs, their heavy rains can trigger dangerous mudslides in steep mountain areas. The people of Taiwan build strong sea walls and plant sturdy trees to protect towns from these powerful storms.
Scientists study climate change in Taiwan because temperatures have risen by 1.4 degrees Celsius over the last century. In addition, the rate of rising sea levels around Taiwan's coastline is twice the global average. To protect the planet, the Taiwanese government created plans to reduce harmful emissions. They set strong goals to cut emissions down by 20% by 2030 and 50% by 2050 compared to 2005 levels. Schools across Taiwan also teach students about energy conservation and protecting nature.
Incredible Wildlife and Diverse Plant Communities
Because Taiwan has everything from warm sandy beaches to freezing mountain peaks, it provides homes for many plants and animals. Long ago, the lowlands were covered in thick tropical rainforest, while cooler hills had temperate forests. Higher up, cold mountains featured spruce trees in boreal forest zones, while the tallest peaks were home to hardy alpine plants. Today, over 4,000 plant species grow natively on Taiwan. Amazingly, more than 1,000 of these species are endemic, meaning they grow wild nowhere else on Earth!
Famous native trees include the giant Formosan cypress and the high-altitude Taiwan fir. In the past, the fragrant camphor tree, known scientifically as Cinnamomum camphora, grew abundantly across lower slopes. Taiwan's colorful bird population is world-famous, showing high levels of bird endemism. Colorful birds like the Swinhoe's pheasant and the bright Taiwan blue magpie hop through forest branches. Streams high in the cool mountains are home to the rare Formosan landlocked salmon, a prehistoric fish from the last ice age.
Taiwan is also home to fascinating mammals. The Formosan serow is a native goat-antelope that climbs steep cliffs with incredible balance. Other native creatures include the spotted Formosan sika deer. Taiwan has 11 native species belonging to the order Carnivora. The largest carnivore on the island is the Formosan black bear, an endangered animal with a white crescent mark on its chest. While the Formosan clouded leopard is now considered extinct, small populations of the Eurasian otter still live safely on Kinmen island.
Taiwan is known for its dazzling fireflies, boasting 65 different species. In fact, Taiwan has the third highest density of fireflies in the world, behind only Jamaica and Costa Rica! To protect this incredible biodiversity, Taiwan has established nine spectacular national parks:
- Kenting National Park: Located on the southern tip, featuring raised coral reefs, sandy beaches, and a moist tropical forest.
- Yushan National Park: Protects high alpine terrain, deep river valleys, and the island's tallest peaks.
- Yangmingshan National Park: Famous for volcanic steam vents, natural hot springs, and fields of wild calla lilies.
- Taroko National Park: Showcases towering marble canyons and roaring mountain rivers.
- Shei-Pa National Park: Protects alpine ecosystems and cold headwater streams where rare salmon swim.
- Kinmen National Park: Preserves peaceful wetlands, coastal bird habitats, and historical villages.
- Dongsha Atoll National Park: Protects a giant coral atoll in the South China Sea filled with marine creatures.
Natural Resources, Farming, and Modern Energy
Taiwan contains small deposits of minerals such as gold, copper, coal, natural gas, limestone, and marble. In the past, people mined asbestos as well. Today, about 55% of the island is covered by healthy forests, while 24% is arable land used for farming. Open pasture covers about 5% of the land. Because minerals were heavily mined during earlier eras of Taiwan's history, most valuable underground ores have been exhausted.
Forestry was also a major industry during Japanese rule, when giant firs and cypresses were harvested to build shrines. Today, Taiwan strictly protects its mountain forests rather than cutting them down for timber. This helps stop landslides during typhoons and gives wild animals a safe place to live.
Delicious Crops and Modern Agriculture
Farming in Taiwan is famous for producing high yields of delicious fruits and vegetables. Western Taiwan has grown sugarcane and rice since the 17th century. In earlier times, farmers harvested camphor trees and refined sweet sugar for trade across the globe. As big global markets changed, Taiwan shifted its focus toward high-value specialty foods. Modern farms use advanced technology to grow fresh produce on small family farms.
Taiwan joined the World Trade Organization in 2002, which brought more food choices into local supermarkets from overseas. Taiwanese farmers adapted by growing world-famous specialty fruits. Today, Taiwan exports sweet bananas, crisp guavas, juicy lychees, and crisp bell fruits. In the cool mountain mist, farmers also grow fragrant high-mountain tea, which tea lovers around the world consider a special treat. Modern fisheries also operate along the coast, raising fish and prawns in healthy saltwater ponds.
Powering the Island with Energy
Modern Taiwan needs a lot of energy to power its homes, schools, and computer factories. Historically, the island relied on imported petroleum and coal to generate electricity. Taiwan also uses nuclear power from thermal plants, alongside clean-burning natural gas. Because Taiwan has very little oil of its own, it must import fuel from other nations. This means the country works hard to invent new ways to generate power locally.
Taiwan has become a leader in clean, renewable energy. Strong coastal breezes make the country an ideal place for Wind power. Giant Wind turbines line the shores of cities like Taichung, and many more are installed offshore in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is also building solar power fields and researching geothermal energy from natural volcanic hot springs. By inventing new green technology, Taiwan hopes to protect the planet and export clean energy equipment around the world.
Human Communities and Cities in Taiwan
Taiwan is home to more than 23 million people. Because the central mountains are so steep, nearly everyone lives on the flat plains near the western coast. This makes Taiwan's western cities vibrant, busy, and densely populated. The largest urban area is the Taipei–Keelung–Taoyuan metropolitan area in the north, where nearly 9 million people live. Other huge cities include the port city of Kaohsiung in the south and the high-tech hub of Taichung in central Taiwan.
The earliest people to live on the island were the Taiwanese indigenous peoples. Today, they make up about 2% of the population, and many live in the eastern valleys and mountain regions. Their ancestors arrived by boat thousands of years ago, sharing ancestral ties with cultures across the Pacific Ocean. Today, indigenous groups in Taiwan proudly preserve their languages, music, weaving traditions, and festivals.
People of Han Chinese background make up over 95% of Taiwan's total population. Many families trace their roots to immigrants from Fujian who arrived during the 1600s and 1700s. Another major group is the Hakka people, who originally moved from Guangdong and settled in the rolling green foothills. After the Chinese Civil War in 1949, about 1.2 million people from all across mainland China moved to Taiwan. This rich blend of backgrounds makes Taiwan an exciting place full of diverse traditions, night markets, and delicious foods.
Protecting the Environment and Recycling
Because Taiwan has many factories and millions of cars, it has faced environmental challenges. In older cities, two-stroke motor scooters caused dirty air pollution. In response, the government created the Environmental Protection Administration in 1987. Cities encouraged people to ride electric scooters, switched to cleaner fuels, and built modern subway systems. Power plants and factories also installed filters to reduce soot and combat acid rain.
Taiwan worked hard to solve problems with water pollution from factories and raw sewage. In earlier decades, Taiwan produced so much trash that some newspapers called it "garbage island." But the people of Taiwan took action to clean up their home! Today, Taiwan has one of the best recycling programs in the world, recycling over 55% of its waste. In Taiwanese cities, yellow garbage trucks play classical music like "Für Elise" as they drive down streets. When neighbors hear the melody, they walk outside together with their separated bags of compost, plastic, and paper.
Taiwan also works hard to protect its oceans. Dangerous practices like illegal sand mining and destructive Bottom trawling harm sea creatures on shallow banks. Taiwan has passed strict laws that ban large fishing trawlers near the coast. Fines for dumping waste into the sea were raised significantly to protect marine wildlife. Thanks to community cleanups, solar projects, and nature reserves, students and scientists in Taiwan are working together to keep their island green and beautiful for the future.
See also
In Spanish: Geografía de Taiwán para niños
