Formosa

Formosa
Name	Formosa
Location	East Asia
Area km2	35,808
Highest mount	Yu Shan
Elevation m	3,952
Country	Taiwan
Country admin divisions title	Largest settlement
Country admin divisions	Taipei

Formosa. This island, located off the southeastern coast of Mainland China in the Pacific Ocean, has been a pivotal location in East Asian history and geopolitics. Known for its mountainous terrain and strategic position, it has been governed by entities including the Kingdom of Tungning, the Qing dynasty, and Japan, before becoming the seat of the Republic of China.

Etymology and historical names

The name "Formosa" originates from the Portuguese term "Ilha Formosa," meaning "Beautiful Island," bestowed by sailors in the 16th century. Early Chinese records, such as those from the Three Kingdoms period, referred to it as "Yizhou" or "Liuqiu." During the Age of Discovery, European maps often labeled it alongside references to the Kingdom of Middag. The Qing dynasty administered it as a prefecture of Fujian province, while Japanese rule officially designated it as Taiwan. The Republic of China government, which relocated after the Chinese Civil War, uses the official name Taiwan, Province of China.

Geography and climate

The island is separated from the Asian mainland by the Taiwan Strait and is dominated by the rugged Central Mountain Range, which includes the highest peak, Yu Shan. The western side features alluvial plains, while the east has dramatic coastal cliffs. Major rivers include the Zhuoshui River and the Gaoping River. Its climate ranges from tropical in the south to subtropical in the north, heavily influenced by the East Asian Monsoon and frequent typhoons from the Pacific Ocean. The Tropic of Cancer crosses the island, and notable geographic features include Sun Moon Lake and the Taroko Gorge.

History

Indigenous Austronesian peoples, such as the Atayal and Paiwan, have inhabited the island for millennia. Significant external contact began with the Dutch East India Company establishing bases at Fort Zeelandia in the 17th century, followed by the Spanish in the north. The Ming dynasty loyalist Koxinga expelled the Dutch and established the Kingdom of Tungning. It was later annexed by the Qing dynasty in 1683. Following the First Sino-Japanese War, the Treaty of Shimonoseki ceded the island to the Empire of Japan in 1895. After World War II, it was placed under the administration of the Republic of China per the Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Proclamation. The retreat of the Kuomintang government after the Chinese Civil War in 1949 led to the current political status, with significant events including the February 28 incident and the end of martial law in 1987.

Demographics and culture

The population is predominantly Han Chinese, composed of descendants of early migrants from Fujian and Guangdong (often called Hoklo and Hakka) and those who arrived after 1949. Indigenous Austronesian peoples constitute a small percentage. Mandarin Chinese is the official language, with Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka Chinese, and Formosan languages also spoken. Major religious practices include Buddhism, Taoism, and folk religion. The culture is a vibrant fusion, evident in festivals like the Lantern Festival, cuisine such as beef noodle soup and bubble tea, and contributions to Mandopop cinema and music. Institutions like the National Palace Museum house extensive collections of Chinese art.

Economy and infrastructure

The island has a highly developed, export-oriented economy, historically known as one of the Four Asian Tigers. It is a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, home to companies like TSMC and Foxconn. Key industries include information technology, electronics, and machinery. Major infrastructure projects include the Taiwan High Speed Rail and the Port of Kaohsiung. The Central Bank manages the currency, the New Taiwan dollar. It is a major producer of Oolong tea and hosts important trade fairs like COMPUTEX Taipei.

Government and politics

The governing authority is the Republic of China, which maintains a democratic system with a president as head of state and a Legislative Yuan. The dominant political coalitions are the DPP and the KMT. The political status is contested, with the People's Republic of China claiming sovereignty under its One-China policy. The island maintains unofficial international relations through institutions like the American Institute in Taiwan and is a member of organizations such as the WTO under the name "Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu." Domestic politics have been shaped by events like the Sunflower Student Movement and relations with the U.S. Congress governed by the Taiwan Relations Act.

Category:Islands of East Asia Category:Islands of Taiwan