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Map
of Taiwan
c.1787
Courtesy
of The National Library of China
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Map
of Taiwan
c.1787
This
Chinese map of Taiwan is one of the earliest surviving
maps of the island. The origin of the island’s
Chinese name, ‘Taiwan’, is not known. The Portuguese
explorers called the island ‘Ilha Formosa’
(‘Beautiful Island’).
The
map was hand-painted during the Qianlong period
(1736–1795) of the Qing Dynasty, in c.1787. It
represents the tradition of maps providing a more
flowing and artistic geographical view, rather
than purely mathematical or cartographic information.
The map’s title is also somewhat misleading, as
only the western half of Taiwan is included.
The
Map of Taiwan depicts the land in the upper
portion, and the water below, as though it were
being viewed from the Fujian province in mainland
China, 160 kilometres across the Taiwan Strait.
The scroll begins with the southern-most point
of Taiwan, and terminates with the northern end,
covering a distance of approximately 400 kilometres. The
prominent broad coastal plain in this map has
always supported most of the island’s population.
The locations of various counties, harbours, cities,
towns, settlements and Indigenous communities
are also indicated. The upright cartouches on
the map indicate small villages, as do the small
squares with a house inside them. Geographical
features such as rocks and headlands are also
indicated. A major crossroads is indicated by
a graphic symbol.
Fortifications,
including artillery stations and barracks, are
shown on the Pescadores Islands, indicating that
the map might have been designed for use by the
Chinese military authorities, at a time when Chinese
mainland control was still developing. Japanese
and Chinese pirates were active in this area for
many years, and the Europeans were still a potential
threat.
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