Kinmen

The 12 Kinmen islands are located off the southeastern coast of Mainland China's Fujien Province, covering an area of 150.45 square kilometers. They lie at approximately 118.24'E longitude and 242.7'N latitude, a key position in the Taiwan Straits that blocks the mouth of the Amoy Bay and protects Taiwan and the Pescadores.

The Kinmen islands are 82 nautical miles west of the Pescadore Islands and 150 nautical miles from Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan. The shortest distance from the main island, which is also called Kinmen, to communist-held territory is only 2,310 meters.

Although the satellite islets are low and flat, Kinmen itself is a hilly island. Mount Taiwu marks the highest point of the island, rising to 253 meters in the eastern part of the island. Mount Shuhao stretches into the sea where precipitous cliffs have formed as a result of sea wave erosion. Most rivers in Kinmen are short and narrow with unsteady flows, so it is necessary to construct reservoirs for water supply and irrigation.

Due to the hilly terrain, there are quite a few harbors around Kinmen. Liaolo Bay on the south of the island is the most famous. Tzukan Harbor of Liaolo Bay is deep enough to accommodate ships of several thousand tons.

Rain showers in the Kinmen area usually occur from April to August, and typhoons often strike the islands in July and August. East winds last for about eight months a year. The average temperature varies from 19C to 25C. The average absolute humidity is 16 mm, and the average relative humidity is 79 percent.

Here are some interesting articles to read:

• Kinmen official asks airlines for overseas flights (August 31, 2006)
• Residents disappointed over landmines act (April 4, 2006)
• Kinmen needs new policy to support county's development, magistrate says (March 23, 2006)
• Some 70,000 baby horseshoe crabs released on Kinmen (March 20, 2006)
• Kinmen's Kuningtou area attractions commemorate important battle (March 9, 2006)
• Kinmen chief tries to promote tourism (June 24, 2003)
• Kinmen Changes Gear (June 1996)
• Postcards from Kinmen (May 1996)
• Kinmen -- From Battlefield to Tourist Destination (May 1994)
• Easy Riding on Kinmen (May 1994)

Below is a map of Kinmen County: