Taiwan is located in the Pacific Ocean, 100 miles from the southeastern coast of the Chinese mainland. Its length is 245 miles, and its widest point is 89.5 miles. With a subtropical climate, it has an average temperature of 72 ° F (22 ° C) in the north and 75 ° F (24 ° C) in the south. The Central Mountain Range bisects from north to south with two-thirds of the island covered in forested peaks. The rest of the island is characterized by foothills, terraced flatlands, coastal plains and basins. It is considered to be one of the world's most densely populated places with a population of over 21 million. Mandarin Chinese is the national language; many people also speak English.

Facts: Taiwan Visitors Guide, 1995, Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Republic of China
Maps: Taiwan Tourist Map 1996-1997; The Republic of China at a Glance 1997

Taiwan

Photographs

Ethnobotany

Taiwan Forestry Institute

Global Extension Forestry

Check out this web site, Global Disaster Watch ,for information on earthquakes in Taiwan!