Formosa

Formosa
Name	Formosa
Location	East Asia
Coordinates	23.5°N 121.0°E
Archipelago	Taiwan
Area	36,197 km²
Highest elevation	3,952 m
Highest elevation location	Yushan (mountain)
Population	23,618,200
Population as of	2020
Ethnic groups	Han Chinese, Taiwanese indigenous peoples
Languages	Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka Chinese

Formosa is an island located in East Asia, also known as Taiwan, with a rich history and diverse culture, influenced by China, Japan, and Western world countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Netherlands. The island is home to a population of over 23 million people, including Han Chinese, Taiwanese indigenous peoples, and other ethnic groups, such as the Amis people, Atayal people, and Bunun people. Formosa has a unique geography, with a mix of tropical rainforests, mountains, and coastal areas, including the Central Mountain Range and the Sun Moon Lake. The island is also known for its vibrant cities, including Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Taichung, which are hubs for technology, industry, and culture, with institutions like National Taiwan University, National Chiao Tung University, and Academia Sinica.

Etymology

The name Formosa is derived from the Portuguese language, with Fernão Mendes Pinto and Galeote Pereira being among the first Europeans to visit the island, followed by Dutch East India Company and Spanish Empire explorers, including Jan Pieterszoon Coen and Gonzalo Portocarrero. The term Formosa is also associated with the Chinese language, with the island being referred to as Taiwan (island), and its name being written in Chinese characters as, with historical records of the island found in the Ming dynasty and Qing dynasty annals, including the works of Xu Xiake and Zheng Chenggong. The etymology of the name Formosa is also linked to the Austronesian languages, spoken by the indigenous peoples of the island, including the Amis language and Atayal language, with research conducted by Linguistic Society of Taiwan and Institute of Linguistics, Academia Sinica.

Geography

Formosa is located in the Western Pacific Ocean, with its geography characterized by a mix of mountains, valleys, and coastal areas, including the Central Mountain Range, Sun Moon Lake, and Kenting National Park. The island is also home to several rivers, including the Choshui River, Kaoping River, and Tamsui River, which flow into the Taiwan Strait and Pacific Ocean. The geography of Formosa is also influenced by its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, with the island being prone to earthquakes and typhoons, including the 1999 Jiji earthquake and Typhoon Morakot. The island's unique geography has also led to the development of ecotourism, with popular destinations including Taroko National Park, Yehliu Geopark, and Wulai District, which are managed by the Taiwan National Parks and Ministry of the Interior (Taiwan).

History

The history of Formosa is complex and diverse, with the island being inhabited by Taiwanese indigenous peoples for thousands of years, including the Amis people, Atayal people, and Bunun people. The island was also colonized by the Dutch East India Company and Spanish Empire in the 17th century, followed by the Qing dynasty and Japanese Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries, with key events including the Battle of Penghu and First Sino-Japanese War. The history of Formosa is also marked by the Chinese Civil War, with the island being a key location for the Kuomintang and Communist Party of China, including the Battle of Guningtou and 228 Incident. The island has also been influenced by United States and United Nations policies, including the Truman Doctrine and San Francisco Peace Treaty, with institutions like the American Institute in Taiwan and Taiwan Foundation for Democracy playing a role in shaping the island's history.

Politics

The politics of Formosa are complex and multifaceted, with the island being governed by the Government of the Republic of China, which is led by the President of the Republic of China and Legislative Yuan. The island is also home to a number of political parties, including the Kuomintang, Democratic Progressive Party, and New Party (Taiwan), which have been involved in key events like the Sunflower Movement and 2016 Taiwanese presidential election. The politics of Formosa are also influenced by the One-China policy and Cross-Strait relations, with the island being recognized by some countries as a sovereign state, including the Holy See and Belize, while others recognize the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China, including the United States and United Kingdom. The island's politics are also shaped by institutions like the Mainland Affairs Council and Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, which play a role in managing cross-strait relations.

Economy

The economy of Formosa is highly developed and diversified, with key industries including technology, manufacturing, and services, including companies like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., and Chunghwa Telecom. The island is also a major player in the global trade arena, with key trade partners including the United States, China, and Japan, and institutions like the World Trade Organization and Asian Development Bank playing a role in shaping the island's economy. The economy of Formosa is also influenced by its unique geography, with the island being a key location for tourism and ecotourism, including destinations like Taipei 101, National Palace Museum, and Sun Moon Lake, which are managed by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau and Ministry of Transportation and Communications (Taiwan).

Culture

The culture of Formosa is rich and diverse, with a mix of Chinese culture, indigenous culture, and Western culture influences, including the works of Taiwanese literature authors like Huang Chun-ming and Wang Tuoh, and Taiwanese artists like Ju Ming and Lee Kuang-yi. The island is also home to a number of festivals and celebrations, including the Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival, which are managed by the Ministry of Culture (Taiwan) and Council for Cultural Affairs. The culture of Formosa is also influenced by its unique history, with the island being a key location for the development of Taiwanese identity and Taiwanese nationalism, including the works of Taiwanese historians like Huang Fu-san and Chen Yi-se.

Category:Geography of Taiwan