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臨界點
  The Republic of China consists of the island of Taiwan, the islands of Quemoy and Matsu, and the 11 islands of the Pescadores chain, which lie between Taiwan and the mainland. The island of Taiwan lies 100 mi. (160 km.) off the southeast coast of mainland China across the Taiwan Strait. By far the largest of the islands making up the Republic of China, Taiwan is about 240 mi. (386 km.) long and 85 mi. (137 km.) wide. The thickly forested Chungyang mountain range bisects Taiwan from north to south. East of the range, the mountains fall in sharp peaks and gorges to the ocean. This spectacular coastline inspired Portuguese explorers to name the island Formosa, meaning "beautiful." West of the range, the mountains gradually give way to a broad, fertile, and well-cultivated plain, where most of the people live. The median temperature in this subtropical climate is about 75° F. (23° C). June to September is the wettest and hottest period. Monsoon winds bring heavy rains to the south during the summer and to the north during the winter. Mandarin Chinese is the official language, but Taiwanese and Hakka dialects are also spoken. Many Taiwanese older than 50 also speak Japanese, the result of half a century of Japanese rule. | |
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