GEOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF JAPAN 23 



former Mt. Sylvia, now called Tsugitaka-Tania, 3931 m. liigli. From 

 this lofty mountain tho range rmis along the length of the island 

 projecting many high peaks and pinnacles over 3000 metres high, 

 until it terminates at Garampi or the South Cape. It culminates in 

 Niitalva-yama, or, as it was formerly called, Mt. Morrison, 3950 m., 

 the highest mountain of Japan. This range niakes a steep scarp on 

 its eastern side. Sharply separated from this range by a tectonic 

 valley, another small range, that of Taito, stretches north and south 

 along the eastern coast, where it stands abruptly on the roaring waves 

 of the Pacific. Parallel to the west side of the central range lie hills 

 of a later geological formation with a lower altitude. Along their 

 foot extends a strip of fertile plain, where is an excellent delta 

 development of many rivers, which, leaving the mountain region, 

 suddenly discharge their water and silts into the plain. 



The island is practically tropical in nature with luxuriant vege- 

 tation, as the name "Formosa," given to it by the Portuguese, 

 implies. Among the plants growing in the plains we find betelnut 

 palms, banyans, pandanus, bamboos and tree-ferns. Mangrove trees 

 are very common in tho shallow waters of the southern coast. The 

 most important of the cultivated plants are sugar cane, rice and the 

 tea-plant. Sugar plantation has undergone a great improvement and 

 many sugar refineries are found in the southern plain. Tea plantation 

 is carried on in the hills near Taihoku, the metro^wlis and at the 

 same time the principal market for oolong tea. The cultivation of 

 bananas of a higher grade has greatly increased in recent times. 

 This fruit has become an important staple of the island and great 

 quantities are shipped to Japan jiroper. Sweet potatoes, pineapples 

 and peanuts are also well cultivated there. The camphor tree, the 

 king of the Formosan forest, grows in woods at slight elevations. 

 Strongly stimulated by the development of the celluloid industry in 

 recent years, its production has enormously increased, until the largest 

 part of the world's demand is supplied by this island. In the higher 

 altitudes of the mountains there are beautiful forests of conifer trees, 

 especially the species of chamaecyparis. Lumbering in Mount Ari is 

 one of the important industries of the island. Among minerals, gold 

 is mined in the mountains near Kelung and petroleum is obtained in 

 the Tertiary hills in central and southern Taiwan. Taihoku, the seat 

 of the government general of the island, is situated in a small basin 

 at the noithern end, through which the River Tamsui flows, having 



