Location: Eastern Asia, off the southeastern coast of China, between Japan and the Philippines

Map references: Asia, Oceania, Southeast Asia

Area:
total area: 35,980 sq km
land area: 32,260 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland and Delaware combined
note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 1,448 km

Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: involved in complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Tai) claimed by China and Taiwan

Climate: tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year

Terrain: eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west

Natural resources: small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos

Land use:
arable land: 24%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 5%
forest and woodland: 55%
other: 15%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: water pollution from industrial emissions, untreated sewage; air pollution; contamination of drinking water supplies
natural hazards: subject to earthquakes and typhoons
international agreements: signed, but not ratified - Marine Life Conservation

NOTE: The information regarding Taiwan on this page is re-published from the 1995 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Taiwan Geography 1995 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Taiwan Geography 1995 should be addressed to the CIA.