| |
Landscape...
...
Landscape: Relief features: The island is formed by a great fault
block trending north-northeast to the south-southwest, which is tilted
toward the west. Its eastern margin, facing the Pacific Ocean and
often lined with cliffs, marks the edge of the continental shelf.
Its western section is on the slope of the shelf as is the Taiwan
Strait, the shallower parts of which are only 320 feet below sea level.
The coastline on the west is simple and straight, bordered with low
sand dunes and lagoons. Deep-water ports are situated at Jilong, at
the northern tip of the island, and at Gaoxiong, on the southwest
coast. The crest of the Zhongyang Shanmai (Central Range) lies east
of and parallels the island's axis. Scores of peaks rise above 10,000
feet, the highest being Yu Shan, (3,997 m). Around the mountainous
area are numerous independent hills, with an average height of 5,000
feet. The relief on the east is very steep and that on the west quite
gradual. The terrace tablelands and alluvial coastal plains in western
Taiwan form the principal area of dense population; most of the majorities
are located there. Drainage and soils: The rivers, all of which rise
in the central range, are short and subject to extreme variations
in flow. They are mostly shallow or dried up in the dry season, while
there are floods in them on soon (rain-bearing wind) season. Lacking
steady currents, most rivers are not navigable but are liable to cause
floods, especially in the plains, necessitating extensive drainage
systems.
|
|
