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Courtesy of The National Library of China

 

 

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National Library of China
Beijing, China

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.