Taipei City, abbreviated as Taipei, is the capital and a special municipality of the Republic of China, located in the Taipei Basin in northern Taiwan. It serves as the core city of the Taipei metropolitan area and northern Taiwan. Taipei is also a vital hub for Taiwan's development across various sectors, including finance, economy, politics, technology, education, and culture. The city is divided into 12 administrative districts, with a registered population of approximately 2.5 million and a population density of about 9,200 people per square kilometer.
Geography and Climate Characteristics
The central region of Taipei City is situated at the heart of the Taipei Basin. To the north, it borders New Taipei City and is home to the Datun Volcano Group, an active volcanic range. This mountain system stretches from north to south, gradually flattening as it reaches areas like Yuanshan, Dazhi, and Neihu. It is the largest mountain range within Taipei City. Among these peaks, Qixing Mountain is the highest at an elevation of 1,120 meters, followed by Datun Mountain, the third highest at 1,092 meters. The volcanic terrain, particularly around the central mountain area and the outskirts of Beitou, displays rich geological features.
To the east of Taipei, regions such as Neihu and Nangang are characterized by hilly terrain, while the southern Muzha area also features similar topography. Additionally, the Nangang Mountain Range (also known as Thumb Mountain Range), with an elevation of approximately 300 meters, spans between Xinyi District and Nangang District, shaping the significant southeastern landscape of Taipei. These geographical features not only define the city's natural scenery but also profoundly impact its climate and land use.
Located at 25 degrees north latitude on an island between the East Asian continent and the Pacific Ocean, Taipei experiences the influence of the dry, cold Mongolian high-pressure system and the warm, humid Pacific high-pressure system. This interplay creates a subtropical monsoon climate. Compared to many regions globally, Taipei receives relatively less sunshine, with frequent overcast and rainy days outside the sunnier months of July to September. During the winter half-year, the average monthly sunshine duration is only 70 to 100 hours.
Temperatures in Taipei are generally warmer than those in temperate regions. However, due to global warming or unusual climate events, the city occasionally experiences exceptionally warm winters or cold springs. For example, during February and March of 2005, a strong cold front from the Mongolian high-pressure system caused temperatures in Taipei to drop to a low of 5.6°C, with nearby Tamsui recording an even lower 3.9°C.
As part of the East Asian monsoon zone, Taipei's winter weather is heavily influenced by the northeast monsoon, which brings abundant moisture and serves as a key source of precipitation in northern Taiwan. This ensures a stable flow in the Tamsui River, preventing water shortages. Additionally, the maritime climate moderates winter temperatures in Taipei, with an average of around 16°C, which is 2 to 3°C warmer than coastal cities south of the Tropic of Cancer in southern China. As the continental cold air mass crosses the sea, it becomes milder and more humid, making snowfall in Taipei highly unlikely. However, during the extreme cold snap on January 24, 2016, the city experienced sleet, with a recorded low of just 4°C—the first time solid precipitation was documented in meteorological records.
Influence of Basin Topography
Taipei City is primarily located within the Taipei Basin, and its climate is significantly affected by the terrain. In summer, the surrounding mountains trap heat, causing city temperatures to be 1 to 2°C higher than nearby areas. In winter, the mountainous and hilly terrain often leads to orographic rainfall, resulting in cold and damp conditions. Even though the air temperature may be higher than that of central or southern Taiwan's plains or China's coastal cities, the perceived temperature often feels lower.
Around May each year, the meeting of the Mongolian and Pacific high-pressure systems creates a frontal zone, marking the onset of the plum rain season. During this period, rainfall days in Taipei increase significantly. In summer, strong updrafts frequently lead to afternoon thunderstorms, adding to the city's diverse precipitation patterns.
