Keelung City

Keelung is a natural harbor with immense water. The city has its bay cut into downtown deeply, with the protective Keelung Island and Hoping Island screening on both sides of the bay. These geographical features have contributed to the Keelung's position as a natural and strategically different point, which combines roles of commercial, military, and fishing harbor.

The most important of Keelung's roles is perhaps to keep guard at the gates of the whole Taipei area, which is located southwest of the city. Keelung's harbor was a base for Japanese pirates in the 16th century. It was later invaded by the Spanish, Dutch, French and Japanese. Remains of old forts can still be seen today on top of the hills at both sides of the harbor.

Keelung is the second largest port in Taiwan (the largest is Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan). Taiwan's booming trade in recent years has turned Keelung into a very prosperous city and an international seaport.