Formosa
Source: http://www.chinatrust-hotel.com/ekssign.htm
Kaohsiung, Taiwan - At the end of the fifteenth century, European imperialism moved toward to Asian countries. Portugal was the first European power to invade Asia. Portuguese sailed through the Taiwan Strait on the way to Japan sighted Taiwan and called it "Ilha Formosa (Beautiful Island)" in 1517. This is the origin of Taiwan's other name, Formosa which has become the proper name of Taiwan and is commonly used among Westerners. 		Taiwan and the adjacent islands have an area of approximately 36,000 square kilometers (14,000 square miles). The main island of Taiwan is about 394 kilometers (245 miles) long and 144 kilometers (89 miles) at its broadest point.

Taiwan's climate is subtropical, with average annual temperatures of 21.7C (71.2F) in the north and 24.1C (75.7F) in the south.

Summers are usually hot and humid with daytime temperatures from 27C to 35C (in the 80's and 90's F). Winters are short and mild; snow falls only on the island's higher mountains.

The total population of the Taiwan area stood at more than 21.9 million in January 1999. Taiwan is the second most densely populated area in the world.

Source: http://www.kcg.gov.tw/tour/dragon-e.htm Source: http://www.kcg.gov.tw/~mtbu/

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