Central Mountain Range
Principal mountain range on Taiwan Island, dividing east and west coasts.
The Central Mountain Range is the principal mountain range on Taiwan Island, running from north to south and acting as a barrier between the east and west coasts.
- Location
- Taiwan Island
- Alternate names
- Central Range, Zhongyang Range, Chungyang Range, Ta-shan (Qing dynasty)
- Ecoregion
- Taiwan subtropical evergreen forests
Lore & Background
The Central Mountain Range runs from the north of Taiwan Island to the south, serving as a natural barrier that hinders travel between the east and west coasts. During the Qing dynasty, it was known as the Ta-shan, from the Wade–Giles romanization of Dàshān, meaning 'Big Mountains.'
Reader's Guide
The Central Mountain Range is significant as the principal mountain range on Taiwan Island, defining the island's geography by separating the east and west coasts. This ecological gradient makes the range a key area for biodiversity and a natural landmark in Taiwan's landscape.
Did You Know?
- The Central Mountain Range runs from the north of Taiwan Island to the south.
- During the Qing dynasty, it was known as the Ta-shan, meaning 'Big Mountains.'
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Central Mountain Range?
It is the dominant north-to-south mountain chain on Taiwan Island, serving as the natural divide between the island's eastern and western coastal lowlands.
What other names does the Central Mountain Range go by?
You'll also see it listed as the Central Range, Zhongyang Range, or Chungyang Range in romanized Chinese. During the Qing dynasty it carried the name Ta-shan.
What ecoregion does the Central Mountain Range belong to?
The range sits within the Taiwan subtropical evergreen forests ecoregion, meaning its slopes support dense, year-round green woodland rather than alpine tundra.
Why is the Central Mountain Range considered so important to Taiwan's geography?
Because it runs the full length of the island, it creates a hard physical barrier that keeps the wet, typhoon-battered east coast and the drier, more populated west coast in distinct climatic and cultural zones.
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