Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), is a country located in East Asia. The island of Taiwan, historically referred to as Formosa by Westerners, covers an area of 35,808 square kilometers (13,826 square miles) and constitutes 99% of the territory governed by the ROC. Positioned approximately 180 kilometers (112 miles) across the Taiwan Strait from the southeastern coast of the People's Republic of China (PRC), it is bordered by the East China Sea to the north, the Philippine Sea to the east, the Luzon Strait to the south, and the South China Sea to the southwest. The ROC also administers several smaller islands, such as the Penghu archipelago in the Taiwan Strait, Kinmen and Matsu near the PRC's coastline, as well as Pratas and Taiping in the South China Sea.
Geologically, Taiwan's main island is a tilted fault block, featuring a stark contrast between its eastern and western regions. The eastern two-thirds are dominated by five rugged mountain ranges that run parallel to the coast, while the western third consists of flat to gently rolling plains, where the majority of the population resides. Several peaks rise above 3,500 meters, with Yu Shan, the highest point at 3,952 meters (12,966 feet), ranking Taiwan as the fourth-highest island globally. The tectonic boundary responsible for the island's formation remains geologically active, resulting in frequent earthquakes, some of which are highly destructive. Additionally, numerous active submarine volcanoes are located within the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan's climate varies from tropical in the south to subtropical in the north and is influenced by the East Asian Monsoon. On average, the island experiences four typhoons annually. The densely forested mountain regions in the east support a rich variety of wildlife, while the lowlands in the western and northern parts are heavily utilized for human activity and development.
