View source for Geography of Taiwan

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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2025}}
{{Redirect|Formosa}}
{{split|Taiwan island|date=November 2025}}
{{Infobox country geography
| name = Taiwan
| image name = [[File:Landform_of_Formosa.png|247px]]
| image caption = 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.
| image alt = 
| map = [[File:Taiwan (orthographic projection; southeast Asia centered).svg|247px]]
| region = [[East Asia]]
| km area = 36,197
| area ranking = 138
| percent land = 89.7
| km coastline = 1,566.3
| exclusive economic zone = {{convert|83,231|km2|mi2|abbr= on}}
| highest point = [[Yu Shan]], {{cvt|3952|m|ft|0}}
| climate = [[Tropical marine climate|Tropical marine]]{{refn|name=World Factbook}}
| natural resources = Small deposits of [[coal]], [[natural gas]], [[limestone]], [[marble]], [[asbestos]], [[arable land]]{{refn|name=World Factbook}}, [[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{{refn|name=World Factbook}}
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| title = Taiwan
| pic = Taiwan.svg
| picsize = 200px
| collapse = yes
| t = [[wikt:臺灣|臺灣]] or [[wikt:台灣|台灣]]
| s = [[wikt:台湾|台湾]]
| bpmf = ㄊㄞˊ ㄨㄢ
| w = {{tone superscript|T'ai2-wan1}}
| p = Táiwān
| tp = Táiwan
| mps = Táiwān
| gr = Tair'uan
| psp = Taiwan
| wuu = {{IPA|wuu|d̥e uɛ}}
| altname = 
| t2 = 
| s2 = 
| l2 = beautiful island
| bpmf2 = 
| w2 = 
| p2 = 
| tp2 = 
| mps2 = 
| gr2 = 
| poj = Tâi-oân
| tl = Tâi-uân
| h = Thòi-vàn
| buc = Dài-uăng
| buc2 = 
| j = {{tone superscript|Toi4 Waan1}}
| j2 = 
| mi = {{IPAc-cmn|t|ai|2|.|wan|1}}
| ci = {{IPAc-yue|t|oi|4|-|w|aan|1}}
}}
[[Taiwan]], officially the Republic of China (ROC), is an island country in [[East Asia]] comprising primarily the '''island of Taiwan''', formerly known to Westerners as '''Formosa''', which has an area of {{convert|35808|km2|sqmi|0}} and makes up 99% of the land under ROC control. It lies about {{convert|180|km|mi|0}} across the [[Taiwan Strait]] from the southeastern coast of the [[People's Republic of China|Mainland China]]. The [[East China Sea]] is 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 [[List of islands of Taiwan|smaller islands]], including the [[Penghu]] archipelago in the Taiwan Strait, [[Kinmen]] and [[Matsu Islands|Matsu]] in [[Fuchien Province, Republic of China|Fuchien]] near the Mainland coast, as well as [[Pratas Island|Pratas]] and [[Taiping Island|Taiping]] in the South China Sea.

Geologically, the main island comprises a tilted [[fault block]], characterized by the contrast between the eastern two-thirds, consisting mostly of five rugged mountain ranges running parallel to the east coast, and the flat to gently rolling plains of the western third, where the majority of the population resides. Several peaks exceed 3,500&nbsp;m in height – the highest, [[Yu Shan]] at {{cvt|3952|m|ft}}, makes Taiwan the world's [[List of islands by highest point|fourth-highest island]]. The [[tectonic]] boundary that formed these ranges remains active, and the island experiences many earthquakes, some of them highly destructive. There are also many{{quantify|date=February 2021}} active [[submarine volcano]]es in the Taiwan Straits.

The climate ranges from [[tropical monsoon climate|tropical]] in the south to [[humid subtropical climate|subtropical]] in the north, and is governed by the [[East Asian monsoon]]. On average, four [[typhoon]]s 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 ==
{{Main list|List of islands of Taiwan}}
The total land area of Taiwan is {{convert|36,197|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}},<ref>{{cite web |title=Land and Climate |work=Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of China |publisher=Statistical Bureau, Republic of China (Taiwan) |year=2020 |url=https://eng.stat.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=41870&ctNode=2815 |access-date=29 August 2022 |archive-date=29 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829105935/https://eng.stat.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=41870&ctNode=2815 |url-status=live }}</ref> slightly larger than [[Belgium]]. It has a coastline of {{convert|1,566.3|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="World Factbook">{{cite web |title=Taiwan |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/taiwan/ |work=The World Factbook |publisher=United States Central Intelligence Agency |access-date=6 May 2019 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109223447/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/taiwan/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The ROC claims an [[exclusive economic zone]] of {{convert|83,231|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} with {{convert|200|nmi|1|abbr=on|lk=in}} and a territorial sea of {{convert|12|nmi|abbr=on|1}}.{{refn|name=World Factbook}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://law.moj.gov.tw/Eng/Fnews/FnewsContent.asp?msgid=1116&msgType=en |title=Law on the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf of the Republic of China (中華民國專屬經濟海域及大陸礁層法) |access-date=21 May 2007}}</ref>

The island of Taiwan, the largest of the archipelago, was known in the West until after [[World War II]] as ''Formosa'', from the [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] {{lang|pt|Ilha Formosa}} ({{IPA|pt|ˌiʎɐ fuɾˈmɔzɐ|}}), "beautiful island".<ref>{{cite book |chapter=Chapter 3: History |chapter-url=http://www.gio.gov.tw/taiwan-website/5-gp/yearbook/docs/ch03.pdf |title=The Republic of China Yearbook 2011 |year=2011 |publisher=Government Information Office, Republic of China (Taiwan) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514004941/http://www.gio.gov.tw/taiwan-website/5-gp/yearbook/docs/ch03.pdf |archive-date=14 May 2012 |page=46}}.</ref> It is {{convert|394|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|144|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} wide,<ref name="population-data">{{cite web |title=1.1 Number of Villages, Neighborhoods, Households and Resident Population |url=http://sowf.moi.gov.tw/stat/month/m1-01.xls |format=XLS |work=Monthly Bulletin of Interior Statistics |publisher=Ministry of the Interior, Republic of China (Taiwan) |date=November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329071215/http://sowf.moi.gov.tw/stat/month/m1-01.xls |archive-date=29 March 2014 |df=dmy}}</ref> and has an area of {{convert|35,808|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}.{{sfnp|Exec. Yuan|2014|p=40}} The northernmost point of the island is [[Cape Fugui]] in [[New Taipei]]'s [[Shimen District]]. The [[Geographic Center of Taiwan|central point of the island]] is in [[Puli, Nantou|Puli Township]], [[Nantou County]]. The southernmost point on the island is [[Cape Eluanbi]] in [[Hengchun|Hengchun Township]], [[Pingtung County]].

The main island is separated from the southeast coast of [[mainland China]] by the [[Taiwan Strait]], which ranges from {{convert|220|km|mi|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} at its widest point to {{convert|130|km|mi|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} at its narrowest. Part of the continental shelf, the Strait is no more than {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=on}} deep, and has become a land bridge during [[glacial period]]s.<ref name="Chang">{{cite journal |last=Chang |first=K.C. |author-link=Kwang-chih Chang |others=translated by W. Tsao, ed. by B. Gordon |title=The Neolithic Taiwan Strait |journal=Kaogu |year=1989 |volume=6 |pages=541–550, 569 |url=http://http-server.carleton.ca/~bgordon/Rice/papers/App.18ChangKC89.pdf |access-date=30 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418153210/http://http-server.carleton.ca/~bgordon/Rice/papers/App.18ChangKC89.pdf |archive-date=18 April 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Niushan Island]] in Nanlai village, Aoqian town, Pingtan County, Fuzhou, Fujian is the closest China (PRC)-administered island to the main island.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kknews.cc/zh-tw/other/42bogkq.html |script-title=zh:台灣海峽——平潭島東端的牛山島 |date=13 May 2019 |access-date=1 April 2020 |quote=仔細研究地圖發現大陸與台灣兩地最接近的地方至少也有125海里，這個地點就是福建省平潭縣海壇島（即平潭島）東端的——牛山島。 |language=zh-Hant}}</ref>

To the south, the main island is separated from the [[Philippines|Philippine]] island of [[Luzon]] by the {{convert|250|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}-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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://twgeog.geo.ntnu.edu.tw/english/General/general.htm |title=Geography of Taiwan: A Summary |author=[[National Taiwan Normal University]], Geography Department |access-date=21 May 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214215831/http://twgeog.geo.ntnu.edu.tw/english/General/general.htm |archive-date=14 December 2007 |df=dmy}}</ref>

Smaller islands of the archipelago include the [[Penghu islands]] in the Taiwan Strait {{convert|50|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} west of the main island, with an area of {{convert|127|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}, the tiny islet of [[Xiaoliuqiu]] off the southwest coast, and [[Orchid Island]] and [[Green Island, Taiwan|Green Island]] to the southeast, separated from the northernmost islands of the Philippines by the [[Bashi Channel]]. The islands of [[Kinmen]] and [[Matsu Islands|Matsu]] near the coast of [[Fujian]] across the [[Taiwan Strait]] have a total area of {{convert|180|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}};{{sfnp|Exec. Yuan|2014|p=46}} the [[Pratas]] and [[Taiping Island|Taiping]] islets in the South China Sea are also administered by the ROC, but are not part of the Taiwanese archipelago.<ref name="cri1">{{cite news |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/north-east-asia/taiwan-strait-china/333-preventing-war-taiwan-strait |title=Preventing War in the Taiwan Strait &#124; Crisis Group |date=27 October 2023 }}</ref><ref name="turton19">{{cite news |url=https://medium.com/american-citizens-for-taiwan/the-island-claims-taiwan-versus-the-roc-d468e12a8178 |title=The Island Claims: Taiwan versus the ROC |date=3 February 2019 }}</ref>

== Geology ==
{{main|Geology of Taiwan}}
{{see also|Taiwanese hot springs|List of volcanoes in Taiwan}}
[[File:Philippine Sea Plate br.JPG|thumb|Taiwan lies on the western edge of the Philippine Plate.]]
The island of Taiwan was formed approximately 4 to 5&nbsp;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, Taiwan|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.<ref>{{cite book |title=Taiwan's Environmental Struggle: Toward a Green Silicon Island |first1=Jack Francis |last1=Williams |first2=David |last2=Chang |publisher=Routledge |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-415-44723-2 |page=3}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us7000lff4/region-info |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=earthquake.usgs.gov|title=M 7.6 - 19 km E of Gamut, Philippines}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Geology of Taiwan |url=http://twgeog.geo.ntnu.edu.tw/english/geology/geology.htm |publisher=Department of Geology, [[National Taiwan Normal University]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222082312/http://twgeog.geo.ntnu.edu.tw/english/geology/geology.htm |archive-date=22 February 2008 |df=dmy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geo.arizona.edu/~anderson/taiwan/tai_index.html |title=Geology of Taiwan |publisher=Department of Geology, University of Arizona |access-date=12 February 2012 |archive-date=13 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413230829/http://www.geo.arizona.edu/~anderson/taiwan/tai_index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

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 [[Chi-Chi earthquake]], which occurred in the centre of Taiwan on 21 September 1999, killing more than 2,400 people.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seismo.ethz.ch/GSHAP/eastasia/ |title=GSHAP Region 8: Eastern Asia |publisher=Global Seismic Hazard Assessment Program |access-date=12 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530030743/http://www.seismo.ethz.ch/GSHAP/eastasia/ |archive-date=30 May 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 4 March 2010 at about 01:20 UTC, [[2010 Kaohsiung earthquakes|a magnitude 6.4 earthquake]] hit southwestern Taiwan in the mountainous area of [[Kaohsiung County]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/03/03/taiwan.quake/index.html |title=6.4-magnitude quake hits southern Taiwan |first1=Christine |last1=Theodorou |first2=Andrew |last2=Lee |access-date=4 March 2010 |date=3 March 2010 |publisher=CNN.com |archive-date=4 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304025748/http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/03/03/taiwan.quake/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[2016 Taiwan earthquake|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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Body of last victim of apartment collapse in Tainan found |work=Focus Taiwan |date=18 February 2016 |surname1=Yang |given1=Ssu-jui |given2=Frances |surname2=Huang |url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201602180031.aspx |access-date=16 March 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309071804/http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201602180031.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Terrain ==
{{see also|List of mountains in Taiwan|List of rivers of Taiwan}}
[[File:Taiwan map large.gif|thumb|right|A [[Cartographic relief depiction|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 {{convert|330|km|mi|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} from north to south and average about {{convert|80|km|mi}} from east to west. They include more than two hundred peaks with elevations of over {{convert|3000|m|ft|sigfig=2|abbr=on}}.{{sfnp|Exec. Yuan|2014|p=40}}

The [[Central Mountain Range]] extends from [[Su'ao]] in the northeast to [[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 {{convert|120|to|1200|m|ft|sigfig=2|abbr=on}}. [[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 [[Haian Range|East Coast Mountain Range]] extends down the east coast of the island from the mouth of the [[Hualien River]] in the north to [[Taitung County]] in the south, and chiefly consist of sandstone and shale. It is separated from the Central Range by the narrow [[Huatung Valley]], at an altitude of {{convert|120|m|ft|sigfig=2|abbr=on}}. Although Hsinkangshan (新港山), the highest peak, reaches an elevation of {{convert|1682|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, 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 River (Taiwan)|Dadu]] and [[Zhuoshui River]]s flow from the western slopes of the Central Range through the basin to the west coast of the island.

The [[Xueshan Range]] lies to the northwest of the Central Mountain Range, beginning at [[Sandiaojiao]], the northeast tip of the island, and gaining elevation as it extends southwest towards [[Nantou County]]. [[Xueshan]], the main peak, is {{convert|3886|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} high.

[[File:San Guang River, Fusing, Taoyuan, Taiwan - 20080601.jpg|thumb|right|The [[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 {{convert|3952|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} [[Yu Shan]] ('Jade Mountain'){{r|World Factbook}}{{sfnp|Exec. Yuan|2014|p=43}}<ref>Reported by Taiwan's National Geographic Information System Steering Committee ([http://www.land.moi.gov.tw/landdatabase/enhtml/index.asp NGISSC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121095400/http://www.land.moi.gov.tw/landdatabase/enhtml/index.asp |date=21 November 2008 }})</ref> which makes Taiwan the world's [[List of islands by highest point|fourth-highest island]], and is the highest point in the western Pacific region outside of the [[Kamchatka Peninsula]], [[New Guinea Highlands]] and [[Mount Kinabalu]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldislandinfo.com/TALLESTV1.htm |title=Tallest Islands of the World&nbsp;– World Island Info web site |publisher=Worldislandinfo.com |access-date=1 August 2010 |archive-date=1 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201042156/http://www.worldislandinfo.com/TALLESTV1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Alishan Range]] lies west of the Yushan Range, across the valley of the south-flowing [[Kaoping River]]. The range has major elevations between {{convert|1000|and|2000|m|ft|sigfig=2|abbr=on}}. The main peak, Data Mountain (大塔山), towers {{convert|2663|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}.

Below the western foothills of the ranges, such as the [[Hsinchu Hills]] and the [[Miaoli Hills]], lie raised [[terrace (geology)|terrace]]s formed of material eroded from the ranges.  These include the [[Linkou Plateau]], the [[Taoyuan Plateau]] and the [[Dadu Plateau]]. About 23% of Taiwan's land area consists of fertile [[alluvial plain]]s and [[sedimentary basin|basin]]s watered by rivers running from the eastern mountains. Over half of this land lies in 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.{{sfnp|Exec. Yuan|2014|pp=2, 43}}

== Climate ==
{{main|Climate of Taiwan}}
[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map TWN present.svg|thumb|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.{{sfnp|Exec. Yuan|2014|p=45}} The average rainfall is approximately 2,600&nbsp;mm per year.{{sfnp|Exec. Yuan|2014|p=45}}

[[Typhoon]]s 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.{{sfnp|Exec. Yuan|2014|p=45}}

[[Climate change in Taiwan]] has caused temperatures to rise by 1.4 degrees Celsius in the last 100 years.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Climate of Taiwan|url=https://traveltips.usatoday.com/climate-taiwan-62832.html|access-date=2021-08-12|website=Travel Tips - USA Today|language=en|archive-date=2021-07-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729183619/https://traveltips.usatoday.com/climate-taiwan-62832.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Sea level rise]] around [[Taiwan]] is occurring at twice the global rate.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=Mien-chieh |date=2020-08-25 |title=Taiwan faces watery future: Greenpeace - Taipei Times |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2020/08/25/2003742240 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026044839/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2020/08/25/2003742240 |archive-date=2020-10-26 |access-date=2020-12-02 |website=www.taipeitimes.com}}</ref> The government pledged to reduce [[Greenhouse gas|emissions]] by 20% in 2030 and 50% in 2050, compared to 2005 levels.

{{climate chart|[[Taipei]] (humid subtropical)
|13.9|19.1|83.2
|14.2|19.6|170.3
|15.8|22.1|180.4
|19|25.7|177.8
|22.3|29.2|234.5
|24.6|32|325.9
|26.3|34.3|245.1
|26.1|33.8|322.1
|24.8|31.1|360.5
|22.3|27.5|148.9
|19.3|24.2|83.1
|15.6|20.7|73.3
|source = [http://www.cwb.gov.tw/V7e/climate/monthlyMean/meantxmax.htm Central Weather Bureau]
|float = left
|clear=none
}}
{{climate chart|[[Taichung]] (dry-winter humid subtropical)
|12.9|22.0|36.3
|13.9|22.4|87.8
|16.0|24.6|94.0
|19.6|27.6|134.5
|22.6|30.2|225.3
|24.4|31.9|342.5
|25.2|33.0|245.8
|25.1|32.6|317.1
|24.1|31.8|98.1
|21.8|30.1|16.2
|18.2|27.0|18.6
|14.2|23.6|25.7
|source = [http://www.cwb.gov.tw/V7e/climate/monthlyMean/meantxmax.htm Central Weather Bureau]
|float = left
|clear = none
}}
{{climate chart|[[Kaohsiung]] ([[tropical savanna climate|tropical savanna]])
|15.7|23.9|16.0
|16.7|24.7|20.5
|19.2|26.8|38.8
|22.4|29.1|69.8
|24.8|30.8|197.4
|25.9|31.6|415.3
|26.4|32.4|390.9
|26.1|31.9|416.7
|25.5|31.4|241.9
|24.0|30.0|42.7
|20.9|27.8|18.7
|17.1|25.0|16.2
|source = [http://www.cwb.gov.tw/V7e/climate/monthlyMean/meantxmax.htm Central Weather Bureau]
|float = left
|clear = none
}}
{{-}}

== Flora and fauna ==
{{See also|List of endemic species of Taiwan|National parks of Taiwan}}
Before extensive human settlement, the vegetation on Taiwan ranged from [[tropical rainforest]] in the lowlands through [[temperate forest]]s, [[boreal forest]] and [[alpine plant]]s with increasing altitude.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Late Pleistocene vegetation and climate of Taiwan (Formosa) |last=Tsukada |first=Matsuo |journal=[[Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America]] |year=1966 |volume=55 |issue=3 |pages=543–548 |pmc=224184 |pmid=16591341 |doi=10.1073/pnas.55.3.543 |bibcode=1966PNAS...55..543T |doi-access=free|issn = 0027-8424}}</ref>

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 [[Chinese people|Chinese]] immigrants during the 17th and 18th century. However the mountain forests are very diverse, with several [[endemic (ecology)|endemic]] species such as [[Chamaecyparis formosensis|Formosan cypress]] (''Chamaecyparis formosensis'') and [[Taiwan fir]] (''Abies kawakamii''), while the camphor laurel (''[[Cinnamomum camphora]]'') was once also widespread at lower altitudes.

Over 4000 species of plants are indigenous to Taiwan, with over 1000 of them found nowhere else in the world.<ref>{{cite book |title=Flora of Taiwan |edition=2nd |year=1993–2003 |url=https://tai2.ntu.edu.tw/ebooks/FlTaiwan2nd }}</ref>

[[File:長鬃山羊.jpg|thumb|right|[[Formosan serow]]]]

Before the country's [[industrialization]], the mountainous areas held several endemic animal species and subspecies, such as the [[Swinhoe's pheasant]] (''Lophura swinhoii''), [[Taiwan blue magpie]] (''Urocissa caerulea''), the [[Formosan sika deer]] (''Cervus nippon taiwanensis'' or ''Cervus nippon taiouanus'') and the [[Formosan landlocked salmon]] (''Oncorhynchus masou formosanus''). A few of these are now [[extinction|extinct]], and many others have been designated [[endangered species]].
Taiwan had relatively few [[Carnivora|carnivores]], 11 species in total, of which the [[Formosan clouded leopard]] is likely extinct and the [[Eurasian otter|otter]] is restricted to [[Kinmen|Kinmen island]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kinmen.gov.tw/en/News_Content.aspx?n=9A3902C9F2F1C945&sms=4BCC795D7C63BD97&s=2D15C6E537276E0C |title=Otter Conservation in Kinmen |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=Kinmen County Government |date=2 January 2019 |access-date=14 August 2020 |archive-date=21 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921194439/https://www.kinmen.gov.tw/en/News_Content.aspx?n=9A3902C9F2F1C945&sms=4BCC795D7C63BD97&s=2D15C6E537276E0C |url-status=live }}</ref> The largest carnivore is the [[Formosan black bear]] (''Selanarctos thibetanus formosanus''), a rare and endangered species.<ref>{{Cite journal |volume=51 |pages=500–511 |last1=Chiang |first1=Po-Jen |author2=Kurtis Jai-Chyi Pei |author3=Michael R. Vaughan |author4=Ching-Feng Li |title=Niche relationships of carnivores in a subtropical primary forest in southern Taiwan |journal=Zoological Studies |year=2012 |url=http://zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/51.4/500.pdf |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=12 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512023326/http://zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/51.4/500.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Taiwan is a centre of bird [[endemism]] (see [[List of endemic birds of Taiwan]]).

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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Davidson |first1=Helen |title='An ecological miracle': Taiwan's fireflies are flirting in the dark again |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/22/ecological-miracle-fireflies-taiwan-flirting-dark |website=[[The Guardian]] |date=22 April 2022 |access-date=22 April 2022 |archive-date=22 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422124917/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/22/ecological-miracle-fireflies-taiwan-flirting-dark |url-status=live }}</ref>

Nine national parks in Taiwan showcase the archipelago's diverse terrain, flora and fauna. [[Kenting National Park]] on the southern tip of Taiwan contains [[Tectonic uplift|uplifted]] [[coral reef]]s, [[Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests|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.<ref>[http://np.cpami.gov.tw/english/ National Parks of Taiwan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216034501/http://np.cpami.gov.tw/english/|date=16 December 2017 }}, Construction and Planning Agency, Ministry of the Interior, ROC (Taiwan).</ref>

== Natural resources ==
[[File:Abies kawakamii Chi-You.jpg|thumb|upright|Taiwan fir (''[[Abies kawakamii]]'')]]
Natural resources on the islands include small deposits of [[gold]], [[copper]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Taiwan Panorama |title=Chinkuashih's Gold Ecological Park brings history to life |url=https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=18&post=24219 |access-date=3 December 2019 |agency=Taiwan Today |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan) |date=17 July 2008 |archive-date=27 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227073511/https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=18&post=24219 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[coal]], [[natural gas]], [[limestone]], [[marble]], and [[asbestos]].{{refn|name=World Factbook}} 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 of natural resources|exploitation]] throughout [[History of Taiwan|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 [[Forestry in Taiwan|Taiwan's forestry resources]], especially [[Abies kawakamii|firs]] were harvested during [[Taiwan under Japanese rule|Japanese rule]] for the construction of [[Shinto shrine|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 ===
{{main|Agriculture in Taiwan}}
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.{{sfnp|Exec. Yuan|2014|p=304}} The importance of these industries declined mainly due to the reduction of international demand rather than the exhaustion of related natural resources.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Huang |first1=Sophia Wu |title=Structural Change in Taiwan's Agricultural Economy |journal=Economic Development and Cultural Change |date=1993 |volume=42 |issue=1 |pages=43–65 |doi=10.1086/452064 |jstor=1154612 |s2cid=153836478 }}</ref>

Domestic agriculture (rice being the dominant kind of crop) and [[fisheries]] retain some importance. Still, they have been greatly challenged by foreign imports since Taiwan's accession to the [[World Trade Organization]] in 2002. Consequently, upon the decline of subsistence, Taiwan's agriculture now relies heavily on the marketing and export of specialty crops, such as [[banana]]s, [[guava]]s, [[lychee]]s, [[bell fruit]]s, and [[high-mountain tea]].{{sfnp|Exec. Yuan|2014|pp=160–168}}

=== Energy resources ===
{{Main|Energy in Taiwan}}
[[File:Wind power-Kaumei.jpg|thumb|[[Wind turbine]]s in [[Taichung]]]]
Taiwan has significant coal deposits and some insignificant [[petroleum]] and [[natural gas]] deposits. {{As of|2010}}, [[Petroleum|oil]] accounts for 49.0% of the total energy consumption. [[Coal]] comes next with 32.1%, followed by [[nuclear power|nuclear energy]] with 8.3%, [[natural gas]] (indigenous and liquefied) with 10.2%, and energy from renewable sources with 0.5%. Taiwan has [[List of nuclear reactors#Taiwan|six nuclear reactors]] and two under construction.<ref>''[http://www.moeaboe.gov.tw/Download/opengovinfo/Plan/all/files/EnergyStatisticalDataBook.pdf Energy Statistics Handbook] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425015051/http://www.moeaboe.gov.tw/Download/opengovinfo/Plan/all/files/EnergyStatisticalDataBook.pdf|date=25 April 2012 }}'', Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs, 2010.</ref> 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 power|wind energy]] resources, with wind farms both onshore and offshore, though limited land area favours offshore wind resources.<ref>{{cite web |title=Taiwan's Energy Policy and Supply-Demand Situation |publisher=Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs |url=http://www.moeaboe.gov.tw/About/webpage/book_en3/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522100548/http://www.moeaboe.gov.tw/About/webpage/book_en3/index.htm |archive-date=22 May 2012 |df=dmy}}</ref> 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|date=September 2011}}

== Human geography ==
{{See also|Demographics of Taiwan|List of metropolitan areas in Taiwan|History of Taiwan}}
[[File:Taiwan population density map.svg|thumb|Population density map of Taiwan]]
Taiwan has a population of over 23&nbsp;million, the vast majority of whom live in the lowlands near the western coast of the island.<ref name="population-data"/>
The island is highly urbanized, with nearly 9&nbsp;million people living in the [[Taipei–Keelung–Taoyuan metropolitan area]] at the northern end, and over 2&nbsp;million each in the urban areas of [[Kaohsiung metropolitan area|Kaohsiung]] and [[Taichung–Changhua metropolitan area|Taichung]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Taiwan: metropolitan areas |url=http://world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&des=wg&srt=dpnn&col=adhoq&msz=1500&pt=a&va=&geo=-218 |work=World Gazetteer |access-date=19 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209115732/http://world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&des=wg&srt=dpnn&col=adhoq&msz=1500&pt=a&va=&geo=-218 |archive-date=9 February 2013 |df=dmy}}</ref>

[[Taiwanese indigenous peoples]] comprise approximately 2% of the population, and now mostly live in the mountainous eastern part of the island.{{sfnp|Exec. Yuan|2014|p=49}}<ref>{{Citation |last=Thomson |first=John |title=English: Through China with a camera |date=1898 |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Through_China_with_a_camera.pdf&page=447 |access-date=2017-12-05 |archive-date=20 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120003603/https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Through_China_with_a_camera.pdf&page=447 |url-status=live }}, see: Appendix- ''The Aboriginal Dialects of Formosa'', page 275 – 284</ref> Most scholars believe their ancestors arrived in Taiwan by sea between 4000 and 3000 BC, most likely from southeastern China.<ref>{{cite book |first=Tianlong |last=Jiao |title=The Neolithic of southeast China: cultural transformation and regional interaction on the coast |publisher=Cambria Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-934043-16-5 |pages=91–94}}</ref>

[[Han Chinese]] make up over 95% of the population.{{sfnp|Exec. Yuan|2014|p=36}} 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.<ref>{{cite book |last=Knapp |first=Ronald G. |chapter=The shaping of Taiwan's landscapes |pages=1–26 |title=Taiwan: a new history |editor-last=Rubinstein |editor-first=Murray A. |publisher=M.E. Sharpe |place=Armonk, N.Y. |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-7656-1494-0}}</ref> A further 1.2&nbsp;million people from throughout China entered Taiwan at the end of the [[Chinese Civil War]] in 1949.{{sfnp|Exec. Yuan|2014|p=48}}

=== Environmental issues ===
{{see also|Air pollution in Taiwan}}
[[File:Scooters in taipei.jpg|thumb|[[Motor scooter]]s are a very common means of transportation in Taiwan and contribute to urban air pollution.|left]]
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 [[air pollution]], but after the government required mandatory use of unleaded petrol and established the [[Environmental Protection Administration, Executive Yuan|Environmental Protection Administration]] in 1987 to regulate air quality, the air quality of Taiwan has improved dramatically.<ref>{{cite web |title=Taiwan: Environmental Issues |work=Country Analysis Brief&nbsp;– Taiwan |publisher=[[United States Department of Energy]] |url=http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/taiwanenv.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007165852/http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/taiwanenv.html |access-date=8 March 2006 |archive-date=7 October 2006 |date=October 2003 |quote=The government credits the APC system with helping to reduce the number of days when the country's pollution standard index score exceeded 100 from 7% of days in 1994 to 3% of days in 2001.}}</ref> [[Motor scooters]], especially older or cheaper [[Two-stroke engine|two-stroke]] versions, which are ubiquitous in Taiwan, contribute disproportionately to urban air pollution.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/taiwan.html#envir |title=Taiwan Country Analysis Brief |publisher=[[United States Department of Energy]] |date=August 2005 |quote=Taipei has the most obvious air pollution, primarily caused by the motorbikes and scooters used by millions of the city's residents. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202151338/http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/taiwan.html |archive-date=2 February 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=A Viable Niche Market–Fuel Cell Scooters in Taiwan |first=Chunto |last=Tso |journal=International Journal of Hydrogen Energy |date=July 2003 |volume=28 |number=7 |pages=757–762 |doi=10.1016/S0360-3199(02)00245-8 |bibcode=2003IJHE...28..757T |url=http://www.tfci.org.tw/Uploadfile/DownFile/8/1023155544541.pdf |quote=In Taiwan's cities, the main source of air pollution is the waste gas exhausted by scooters, especially by the great number of two-stroke engine scooters. |access-date=26 March 2012 |archive-date=6 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506003113/http://www.tfci.org.tw/Uploadfile/DownFile/8/1023155544541.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The Taichung Power Plant also contributes significantly to air pollution, producing more {{CO2}} than the country of Switzerland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The largest coal-fired power plants in the world |url=https://esfccompany.com/en/articles/thermal-energy/the-largest-coal-fired-power-plants-in-the-world/ |access-date=2022-07-11 |website=esfccompany.com |language=en |archive-date=11 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711155225/https://esfccompany.com/en/articles/thermal-energy/the-largest-coal-fired-power-plants-in-the-world/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Other environmental issues include [[water pollution]] from industrial emissions and [[raw sewage]], [[contamination of drinking water]] supplies, [[trade in endangered species]], and [[low-level radioactive waste]] disposal.{{refn|name=World Factbook}} 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Forests in Taiwan jeopardized by acid rain: EPA |last=Chiu |first=Yu-Tzu |newspaper=Taipei Times |date=26 January 2005 |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/01/26/2003220998 |access-date=27 December 2012 |archive-date=24 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124040611/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/01/26/2003220998 |url-status=live }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Davidson |first1=Helen |last2=Hui Lin |first2=Chi |title=Classical trash: how Taiwan's musical bin lorries transformed 'garbage island' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/26/classical-trash-how-taiwan-musical-truck-transformed-garbage-island |newspaper=The Guardian |date=26 December 2022 |access-date=26 December 2022 |archive-date=26 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226161334/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/26/classical-trash-how-taiwan-musical-truck-transformed-garbage-island |url-status=live }}</ref>

Illegal extraction by Chinese [[sand mining|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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chen |first1=Kelvin |title=Taiwan's outlying marine ecology severely damaged by Chinese sand dredging |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4434171 |website=taiwannews.com.tw |date=7 February 2022 |publisher=Taiwan News |access-date=7 February 2022 |archive-date=7 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207073516/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4434171 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[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 5&nbsp;km of shore and those over 50 tons are restricted from trawling within 12&nbsp;km of shore.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Everington |first1=Keoni |title=Record 800 kg goblin shark with 6 pups caught off northeast Taiwan |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4918463 |website=taiwannews.com.tw/ |date=14 June 2023 |publisher=Taiwan News |access-date=17 June 2023}}</ref> In 2023 the maximum penalty for ocean pollution was raised from US$48,820 to US$3.25 million.<ref>{{cite web |last1=I-chia |first1=Lee |title=President touts changes to ocean-related policies |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/06/11/2003801351 |website=Taipei Times |date=11 June 2023 |access-date=20 June 2023}}</ref>

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{reflist}}

=== Works cited ===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |ref={{harvid|Exec. Yuan|2014}} |date=2014 |title=The Republic of China Yearbook 2014 |location=Taipei |publisher=[[Executive Yuan]], R.O.C. |url=http://www.ey.gov.tw/Upload/UserFiles/YB%202014%20all%20100dpi.pdf |isbn=978-986-04-2302-0 |access-date=11 June 2016 |archive-date=20 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820161048/http://www.ey.gov.tw/Upload/UserFiles/YB%202014%20all%20100dpi.pdf |url-status=live }}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{commons category multi|Geography of Taiwan|Maps of Taiwan}}
{{EB9 Poster|Formosa}}
{{EB1911 poster|Formosa (China)}}
* [http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Taiwan_datums Taiwan datums], Open Source Geospatial Foundation Wiki
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20171216034501/http://np.cpami.gov.tw/english/ National Parks of Taiwan], Construction and Planning Agency, Ministry of the Interior, Taiwan (ROC)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170722160519/http://www.funcard.tw/english.asp Taiwan Pass], Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and communications, Taiwan (ROC)
* {{osmrelation-inline|7219605}}

{{Geography of Asia}}
{{Taiwan related articles}}
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{{World's largest islands}}
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[[Category:Geography of Taiwan| ]]