Location:
Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China
Geographic coordinates:
23 30 N, 121 00 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 35,980 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 32,260 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 3,720 sq km
note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy islands
country comparison to the world (CIA rank, may be based on non-current data):
139
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,566.3 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12
nm
[see also: Maritime claims - territorial sea country ranks ]
exclusive economic zone: 200
nm
[see also: Maritime claims - exclusive economic zone country ranks ]
Climate:
tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); persistent and extensive cloudiness all year
Terrain:
eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west
Elevation:
mean elevation: 1,150 m
[see also: Elevation - mean elevation country ranks ]
lowest point:
South China Sea 0 m
highest point:
Yu Shan 3,952 m
Natural resources:
small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, asbestos, arable land
Land use:
agricultural land: 22.7%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 16.9%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 5.8%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
other: 77.3%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use country ranks ]
Irrigated land:
3,820 sq km
(2012)
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]
Population distribution:
distribution exhibits a peripheral coastal settlement pattern, with the largest populations on the north and west coasts
Natural hazards:
earthquakes; typhoons
volcanism: Kueishantao Island (401 m), east of Taiwan, is its only historically active volcano, although it has not erupted in centuries
Environment - current issues:
air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal
Environment - international agreements:
party to:
none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status
Geography - note:
strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait
