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Formosa, Taiwan
Taiwan is a solitary island on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean, lying off the southeastern coast of mainland Asia, across the Taiwan Strait from China. Taiwan known, especially in the past, as Formosa (Ilha Formosa) meaning “Beautiful Island” from Portuguese, is also reputable for its towering mountains and beautiful coastal scenes. Taiwan now has established 8 national parks and 13 national scenic areas to preserve its best natural ecological environment and cultural sites. The blending of Hakka, Taiwanese, indigenous people and Chinese cultures has produced a rich plethora of cultural and social color. Most importantly, National Palace Museum, located in outskirt of Taipei City, is home to essence of the five-thousand-year Chinese history. It has the finest collections of Chinese Arts, providing an eye-opening experience of Chinese culture.
The Mountains
Taiwan has been generously equipped with forests. Some 258 mountain peaks are more than 3,000 meters high, geographically making Taiwan incomparable to any other country in the world.
World of the Sea
Taiwan has a very rich marine ecology. In the Pacific Ocean on Taiwan's east, groups of bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, Risso's dolphins, and pan tropical spotted dolphins can be seen jumping out of the water. Azure seas and magnificent coral reefs can be found in Kending on the south end of Taiwan, and on Green Island and the islands of the Penghu Archipelago. It is there for you to discover and marvel at.
Eco-parks
Taiwan has a warm and humid climate and a variety of terrain, including sandbars, plains, basins, hills, plateaus, and mountains. As a result, the island is home to abundant animal and plant life, including various endemic species, and can therefore be regarded as one gigantic eco-park. Because of the formation of mud flats and mangroves along the coast, large numbers of migratory birds from around the world are attracted to Taiwan, where they use these coastal areas as a temporary shelter and rest area before they resume their journey.
Geography
The island of Taiwan straddles the Tropic of Cancer, separated from China by the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is shaped like a tobacco leaf, with its tip pointing toward Japan. It stretches 390 km in length and is about 140 km wide at its broadest point. Its total area of nearly 36,000 square km makes Taiwan about the size of the Netherland.
Climate
Taiwan has a humid subtropical climate, with long hot summers and moderate winters. In the north and east of the island and in the mountains, the months from December to March are often damp and chilly, with strong winds and frequent rains. Winter temperatures usually do not fall below 10 degrees Celsius (45 Fahrenheit), but the dampness can chill the bones. The Taipei area is notorious for this. Further south and west, winters are noticeably sunnier and warmer. Temperatures begin to rise in March, and by early May everywhere is hot and humid. During the summer months, the average daytime temperatures rise to 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit). The heat lasts until October. Most of Taiwan’s rain falls from July to September, especially during annual typhoon season. The most pleasant times of the year to visit are the brief spells of spring and fall, during April and May, and October and November. Skies are generally clear, nights are cool and days moderate.
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