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
[see also: Area - water country ranks ]
note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy islands
country comparison to the world: 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 ]
elevation extremes: 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% arable land 16.9%; permanent crops 5.8%; permanent pasture NA
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
forest: NA
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 77.3% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - other 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