Taiwan Geography Profile 2008

Location

Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China

Geographic coordinates

23 30 N, 121 00 E

Map references

Southeast Asia

Area

total: 35,980 sq km
land: 32,260 sq km
water: 3,720 sq km
note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy islands

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

1,566.3 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate

tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year

Terrain

eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west

Elevation extremes

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m

Natural resources

small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos

Land use

arable land: 24%
permanent crops: 1%
other: 75% (2001)

Irrigated land

NA

Total renewable water resources

67 cu km (2000)

Natural hazards

earthquakes and typhoons

Environment - current issues

air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal

Environment - international agreements

party to: none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status

Geography - note

strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait