Short facts about the geography of Taiwan

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

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

1,566.3 km

Maritime claims:

exclusive economic zone:  200 NM territorial sea:  12 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 3,997 m

Natural resources:

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

Land use:

arable land:  24% permanent crops:  1% permanent pastures:  5% forests and woodland:  55% other:  15%

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

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 signed, but not ratified:  none of the selected agreements

Source: World Factbook