Where Is Taiwan The island of Taiwan sits about 100 miles 160 kilometers off China’s southeastern coast Pacific Ocean waves crash against the eastern mountains The Luzon Strait separates Taiwan from the Philippines in the south Along the island’s western coast the Taiwan Strait stretches between the East and South China Seas A few islands in surrounding waters also belong to Taiwan The capital city of Taipei is in northern Taiwan Taipei is home to the Republic of China ROC This government once ruled all of China In 1949 a different government called the People’s Republic of China PRC forced it out and took over China The ROC fled to Taiwan Today Taiwan governs itself under the ROC However many countries recognize the island as a part of the PRC 4 N E W S
Taiwan Pacific Ocean Luzon Strait Taiwan Strait East China Sea South China Sea Did you know Taiwan was once known as Ilha Formosa or beautiful island Portuguese sailors gave it that name after visiting in 1590 Taipei Philippine Sea China 5
The Land Plains and gentle hills cover western Taiwan The land is a patchwork of cities and farms Wind and waves shape the dunes and beaches along the Taiwan Strait Eastern Taiwan is rugged and mountainous The forested peaks of the Chung-yang Range run the length of the island from north to south They include Taiwan’s highest point Yü Shan The mountains extend to the east coast where they rise steeply above the Pacific Ocean 6
Dozens of rivers flow from the mountains to the sea During the warm summer months typhoons sometimes cause them to overflow their banks Winters are brief but cool with snow falling in the mountains Did you know Earthquakes occur often in Taiwan One of the deadliest shook central Taiwan in 1999 Around 2,400 people were killed 7
