I am from Taiwan

The island of Taiwan, situated off the southeast coast of China and separated from the Chinese mainland by the Taiwan Strait,is located in the Western Pacific between Japan and the Philippines. With a total area of about 36,000 square kilometers, the island is 394 kilometers long and 144 kilometers at its widest point.

Taiwan's most prominent geographic feature is its 270-kilometer central mountain range, which has more than 200 peaks over 3,000 meters high. Over 60 percent of the island are classified as mountainous.

For centuries, Taiwan has been familiar to the West as Formosa. The name derived from the 16th century a mariner who, on sighting the island from a galleon, named it "Ilha Formosa!" (Beautiful Island!).

Taiwan's climate is subtropical. To travel in Taiwan is very warm and comfortable. Fascinating culture, breathtaking scenery, artistic masterpieces, a full range of Chinese cuisine, and friendly people make Taiwan an excellent destination for tourists.

Northern Taiwan

National Palace Museum °ê¥ß¬G®c³Õª«°|, which houses large and fine collection of Chinese art treasures. The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall ¤¤¥¿¬ö©À°ó is the island's most impressive monument to the late president. Its Ming-style arch at the main entrance is flanked by the National Theater °ê®a¼@°| and the National Concert Hall °ê®aµ¼ÖÆU, both in classical style.

Central Taiwan

Central Taiwan displays the full range of Taiwan's natural beauty. Scenic spots along the Central Cross-island Highway ¤¤¾î¤½¸ô, such as Hohuanshan ¦XÅw¤s, Lishan ±ù¤s, and Chingching Farm ²M¹Ò¹A³õ.

Taichung, the largest city in central Taiwan, is one of Taiwan's main business centers and offers many high quality hotels, museums, and parks.The nearby resort at Mount Ali ªü¨½¤s is famous for its view of the sunrise over a sea of clouds. Some 15 kilometers away from Mount Ali is Mount Jade (Yushan ¥É¤s), East Asia's highest peak. With an altitude of 3,952 meters, the summit is covered with snow much of the year. Yushan National Park ¥É¤s°ê®a¤½¶é, the island's largest, was established in 1985.

Southern Taiwan

Southern Taiwan is a land of contrasts, where bustling modern cities are surrounded by rice paddies. Historic Tainan City is filled with numerous old temples and historic sites, including the Confucius Temple ¤Õ¼q built in 1666; the elaborate new Temple of the Goddess of the Sea ¸t¥À¼q; Fort Zeelandia ¦w¥¥j³ù and Fort Provintia ¨ª®r¼Ó, both built during the Dutch occupation in the 1600s; and the Eternal Fortress »õ¸üª÷«°, built in 1876. South of Tainan is Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second largest city and largest international port. Just north of Kaohsiung is Cheng Ching Lake ¼á²M´ò, which features a stately pagoda, peaceful islands, pavilions, tree-lined pathways, and a variety of recreational facilities.

Located about two hours south of Kaohsiung on the island's southern tip is the Hengchun Peninsula «í¬K¥b®q. Kenting National Park ¾Á¤B°ê®a¤½¶é, which covers much of the peninsula, offers spectacular shorelines, interesting coral and rock formations, and some of the best beaches in Taiwan.

The Other Small Islands

The Pescadores (Penghu Islands) ¼ê´ò¸s®q are set in the Taiwan Strait, midway between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. The islands offer a wide variety of sightseeing opportunities, including ancient temples, picturesque farms, windswept fishing villages, and fine beaches along a rugged coastline.

Green Island ºñ®q, located off Taiwan's Pacific coast, is known for its saltwater hot springs and fantastic coral formations. Just south of Green Island is Orchid Island ÄõÀ¬, named for the wild orchids that cover its and is home to the Yami ¶®¬ü±Ú, Taiwan's smallest and most isolated aboriginal tribe.

all of ariticle and photos are provided by
R.O.C. Ministry of Transportation & Communications Tourism Bureau(http://www.tbroc.gov.tw/)