Taiwan is an island nation located at the junction of the East China Sea, the Philippine Sea, the South China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait. The main island makes up the vast majority of the nation's landmass, but the government also administers several smaller island groups, including Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu.
The island is characterized by a stark geographical divide. The eastern two-thirds of Taiwan consist mostly of rugged, densely forested mountains, while the western third is composed of gently rolling plains and basins where the overwhelming majority of the population resides and where agricultural and industrial activities are concentrated.
Situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Taiwan is seismically active and experiences frequent earthquakes. Natural resources are relatively scarce, though the island does have small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, and world-renowned marble, particularly in the eastern county of Hualien.
