Taiwan Strait, Maritime passage between mainland China and Taiwan.
The Taiwan Strait is a maritime passage between mainland China and Taiwan, connecting the South China Sea to the East China Sea. The waterway runs approximately 330 kilometers from northeast to southwest with depths reaching around 70 meters.
Portuguese navigators discovered this passage in the 16th century and named the adjacent island Formosa, marking early European contact with the region. This encounter initiated a period of European presence along the eastern Asian trade routes.
The waterway divides two separate administrative regions and shapes local fishing practices and maritime traditions on both sides. This natural boundary influences how fishers and boat operators conduct their daily work today.
The passage is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes with approximately 400 vessels passing daily, transporting petroleum, natural gas, and commercial goods between East Asian nations. Visitors can observe maritime activity from various coastal locations.
The Penghu archipelago of 64 volcanic islands sits within the passage, located approximately 120 kilometers from mainland China under Taiwanese administration. This island group is an often overlooked part of the area that attracts visitors with its distinctive landscape and heritage.
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