Map of Taiwan Province

Author: Wang Ruiping, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-01-01
Features: Administrative divisions: County-level and above administrative regions; Transportation: Airports, railways, expressways, national highways, provincial highways, county and township roads; Tourism: Distribution of scenic spots and historical sites; Place names: Names of all townships and above, and most village names; Cities: Plain maps of provincial capital cities.
The total population of Taiwan Province exceeds 23 million. The population is mainly concentrated in the western plain, while the eastern population accounts for only 4% of the total. The average population density is 586.83 people per square kilometer, with Taipei and Kaohsiung having population densities of 9,737 and 9,606 people per square kilometer, respectively. In Taiwan's total population, Han Chinese account for approximately 98%, while ethnic minorities (i.e., the Amis) make up 2%, totaling over 400,000. Based on language and customs, the Amis are divided into nine tribes: Taitai, Saisai, Bunun, Cou (Zhu), Paiwan, Luken, Amis, Beinan, and Yami. Taiwan also has a small number of Hui, Mongolian, Manchu, Tibetan, and Uyghur ethnic groups.
The provincial affiliation ratio of Taiwan residents is approximately 85% for local residents and 15% for those from mainland provinces. Among the provincial residents, Hoklo account for about 80%, Hakka for about 18%, and the Amis and other ethnic groups.
Taiwan's economy began to take off in the 1960s and has since been on a high-speed development track. By the late 1980s, it had established pillar industries centered around light and textile manufacturing and home appliances, becoming one of the world-renowned "Four Asian Tigers." From 1993 to 2000, the provincial GDP rose from NT$58,194 billion to NT$96,634 billion, with a per capita provincial GDP of US$12,941. Taipei has the highest per capita disposable income, at NT$336,651, followed by Taichung at NT$285,000, and Kaohsiung, the lowest, at NT$224,291. The rest of the cities and counties have disposable incomes around NT$265,000.
In terms of housing, private residences account for 76.8%, with an average of 122 square meters per household and 30 square meters per person. The ratio of rent to household disposable income is 18.97%. Many families in Taiwan own private cars, some even more than one. Taipei is a bustling metropolis with busy streets and numerous high-end consumer venues.
China's only "Tropic of Cancer Monument" is located near a railway line in Nantou County, southern Taiwan Province. This monument was erected in 1944, stands over 20 meters tall, and is a stone tower. On all four sides of the monument are inscribed: "Tropic of Cancer Monument, latitude 23°27′4.51″N, longitude 20°24′46.5″E." At noon on the summer solstice, people can stand here to observe the sun directly overhead. This monument indicates that Taiwan is located on the Tropic of Cancer. Therefore, the northern part of Taiwan has a subtropical climate, the southern part has a tropical climate, and the central part has a transitional climate between the two. Its three main characteristics are high temperatures, abundant rainfall, and a monsoon climate.
High temperatures: The average annual temperature is between 20°C and 25°C. April to November is summer, lasting over 240 days, with Hengchun in the south extending to over 290 days, making it the hottest place in Taiwan. However, even in the hottest July, the average temperature is only between 27°C and 28°C, not as stifling as Chongqing, Nanjing, or Wuhan, the "three scorching cities." December to the following March is "winter," with February being the coldest, averaging around 15°C. This is similar to the autumn temperatures in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, with no biting north winds or heavy snowfall—instead, the weather is pleasant and lush. The temperature difference between the northern and southern ends is only about 5°C. However, there is a significant difference in temperatures between mountainous and plains areas. As altitude increases, temperatures gradually decrease. For every 100 meters above sea level, the temperature drops by about 0.6°C, resulting in a climate with tropical, temperate, and cold zones coexisting. Above 3,000 meters in winter, snow can be seen on mountain peaks. Generally speaking, Taiwan is relatively warm year-round, resembling spring on the mainland. The phrase "always green, spring-like all year" accurately describes Taiwan's climate.
Abundant rainfall: Due to varying topography and the influence of sea breezes, rainfall across Taiwan varies. The northern regions have relatively evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year, with more winter rain in the northeastern areas, while the central and southern regions have more summer rain. The southwestern plains experience concentrated rainfall in summer and autumn, with scarce rainfall in winter and spring, often leading to droughts and floods. The average annual rainfall in the plains exceeds 2,000 millimeters, while some hilly areas receive 4,000–5,000 millimeters. The northeastern area of Houtao has an annual rainfall of 8,408 millimeters. The northern port of Keelung experiences rain for 245 days a year, with an average annual rainfall of 2,910 millimeters, earning it the nickname "Rainy Port."
Monsoon climate: Due to its position between the continent and the ocean, Taiwan has a monsoon climate. In winter, northeast winds prevail, originating from the Mongolian Plateau, passing through North China, and entering the East China Sea, where they become northeast winds that blow across Taiwan. These winds were originally dry continental winds but become moist after passing over the sea, bringing significant rainfall to Taiwan. In summer, southwest winds prevail, originating from the tropical sea, also bringing heavy rainfall to Taiwan. Taiwan's frequent rainfall is a result of these monsoon changes. The monsoons most influential on Taiwan are the northeast monsoon, southeast monsoon, and southwest monsoon. Additionally, Taiwan is one of China's provinces most affected by typhoons. The typhoon season runs from June to October, with July, August, and September being the most typhoon-prone months. When typhoons strike, they bring heavy rain, with daily rainfall often around 200 millimeters. The floods caused by heavy rain often carry large boulders, destroying dams and houses, and disrupting road and rail traffic. The northeastern part of Taiwan is the most typhoon-prone area, resulting in the most severe damage.
Taiwan Province, abbreviated as "Tai," is located in the southeastern sea of China, with its maritime boundaries extending to the East China Sea, South China Sea, and the Pacific Ocean. It faces Fujian and Guangdong provinces across the Taiwan Strait. The northwest is about 135 kilometers from the coast of Fujian Province south of the Minjiang River mouth, about 600 kilometers northeast of Japan's Ryukyu Islands, and about 350 kilometers south of the Philippines' Luzon Island. The four corners of the province are: south starting at 20°45′25″N (southern tip of Qilin Rock in Hengchun Town, Pingtung County), north ending at 25°6′30″N (north shore of Huangweiyu Island, Yilan County), west starting at 119°18′3″E (western shore of Hua Island, Penghu County), and east ending at 124°34′30″E (eastern shore of Chiruiyu Island, Yilan County).
The Taiwan Strait runs from northeast to southwest, connecting the East China Sea to the South China Sea, stretching about 200 nautical miles in length and about 70.22 nautical miles in width, with an average width of about 108 nautical miles. The water depth generally does not exceed 80 meters, making it part of the continental shelf and critically important in China and Southeast Asia's maritime boundaries. It serves as a corridor for north-south maritime transport in China and a major international sea route. Ships traveling from Europe, Africa, South Asia, and the Pacific to China's eastern coast must pass through here, as well as ships from the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Persian Gulf, and Indian Ocean to the Sea of Japan. In peacetime, its significance may not be obvious, but in times of conflict, its role becomes prominent.
In addition to Taiwan Island, Taiwan Province includes the Penghu Islands, Diaoyu Island, Chiruiyu Island, Pengjiayu Island, Orchid Island, and Houtao Island, among others, totaling 86 islands. The total area is approximately 36,006 square kilometers, with Taiwan Island accounting for about 35,873 square kilometers, over 90% of the total area, making it China's largest island. The second-largest is the Penghu Islands, covering 127 square kilometers. The third-largest are Orchid Island and Yehliu Island, with areas of 18.20 and 20.11 square kilometers, respectively. Green Island and Baisha Island are 14.11 square kilometers each. The remaining islands are all under 10 square kilometers in area, with some less than 1 square kilometer, and none are inhabited.
According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which 117 countries, including China, signed in 1982, these islands are all very important. The convention states: "An island is a naturally formed landmass surrounded by water and above sea level at high tide. Every island can have its own territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf, just like land." This means that every island, even a small rock, exposed above water can bring absolute sovereignty to its country with a territorial sea of 450 square kilometers and an exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of 1.3 million square kilometers with economic development rights. Because islands have this potential for exponential value, disputes over their sovereignty are non-negotiable for all countries.