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GEOGRAPHY
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
Map
references: Southeast Asia
area:
35,980 sq km (14,000 sq.mi.)
comparative
area: about the size of West Virginia
note:
includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy
exclusive
economic zone: 200 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
Cities
(1997): Capital--Taipei (pop. 2.6 million). Other Cities--(Kaohsiung
1.4 million), Taichung (892,000)
Natural
resources: small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone,
marble, and asbestos
current
issues: water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage;
air pollution; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade
in endangered species
natural hazards:
earthquakes and typhoons
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