- Taiwan is an island located off the southeastern coast of mainland China, across the Taiwan Strait.
- It lies approximately 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of the Chinese province of Fujian.
- Taiwan is situated at the crossroads of several major maritime trade routes, including the East China Sea, the South China Sea, and the Pacific Ocean.
- To the north, Taiwan faces Japan and the East China Sea. The Japanese island of Okinawa is located approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles) northeast of Taiwan.
- To the south, Taiwan is separated from the Philippines by the Bashi Channel.
- To the east, across the Pacific Ocean, lies the United States territory of Guam, approximately 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles) away.
- Taiwan's strategic location has made it an important geopolitical player in the Asia-Pacific region, with implications for both trade and security.