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 |