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As you move your mouse over this map you will see a close up map of Taiwan. Can you locate Taiwan on the big map of Southeast Asia? What other countries and cities do you recognize? Where does a majority of Taiwan's population live? What is the name of the very large country closest to Taiwan? What kind of natural disasters does Taiwan face?
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CLIMATE Because of the mountains that cover the middle of Taiwan, going north to south, its weather is as diverse as the landscape. The lower areas have a subtropical and in the far south of the island changes to a tropical climate. Yet, the mountainous areas are sometime prone to low temperature that sometimes result in snow. Taiwan has two distinctive seasons: hot (May- October) and cool (November- March). High humidity is present year round. During the close of the hot season, a seasonal weather situation occurs- and sometimes leave with disastrous results. August through October is also known as the typhoon season. A satellite image of a typhoon. Taifeng (the English word, derived from Chinese) meaning, great wind, are violent storms that occur no less than half a dozen times during the typhoon season. These storms sweep through the island at wind speeds up to 99 miles per hour. The aftermath of major typhoons capsize ships, flood low-lying cities, trigger landslides, and blow down buildings.
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PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Taiwan's most prominent geographical feature is the Chungyang Shanmo (Central Mountain Range). This mountain range stretches 167 miles of the island's length and was formed by ancient tectonic movement, and, to a lesser extent, volcanic activity. More than 200 of the island's peaks are at least 9,843 feet tall. The tallest peak in Taiwan, Yu Shan (Jade Mountain), is 12,959 feet. Many deep valleys and gorges have been formed over time due to heavy rainfall.
Peaks near Ah Li Mountain, outside of Chia Yi City. One side of Taiwan's coast, in many areas, the cliffs drop into the ocean on the eastern side, creating some of Taiwan's most spectacular scenery. On the western coast and inland area of the island, in cities such as Taichung, there stretches vast plains which occupy most of Taiwan's agriculture and population.
A rice field outside of Taichung City.
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POLLUTION Air and water pollution are the most common forms of environmental damage noticeable in Taiwan. The air pollution is apparent by observing the sky during a sun rise or sun set- the horizon is hazy and often limits visibility of skyline views of the cities of Taiwan.
Taichung City skyline at sunset. The air pollution in Taiwan is a result of the dense population's vehicles, (scooter, cars, trucks, and buses) which have high amounts of unfiltered or old exhaust systems. This air pollution causes many health problems for residents. In an effort to protect their lungs, many people who drive scooters everyday wear masks over their mouth and nose.
A young Taiwanese boy wears a pollution mask.
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EARTHQUAKES The island of Taiwan is considered seismologically unstable. Taiwan is located on two plates that grind together (the Eurasian Plate is moving under the Philippine Plate at a rate of approximately 3 inches per year). This grinding of plates builds up tremendous pressure that sometimes results in damaging earthquakes. The area of Taiwan that receives the most tremors is the city and surrounding area of Hualien- on the eastern coast of the island. This is because Hualien is the closest to the subduction zone (meaning between the two plates). In addition the earthquake activity in Hualien, the entire island of Taiwan is occupied by numerous fault lines . Taiwan has recorded 19 quakes measuring over 7 on the Richter scale since 1906. The most recent earthquake that hit Taiwan was late in the evening on September 20th, 1999, measuring 7.4 on the scale. This enormous earthquake killed over 2,000 people and injured over 5,000 people. Read an official report of the earthquake here.
Earthquake damage on a school track (left) and a collapsed building located in Nantou County (right). Learn more about earthquakes on the U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program web site for students. |
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