1929
Taiwan is, of course, a Chinese island. [1] Of the 4 million inhabitants, 90% are Chinese. [2] Taiwan was united with Japan only 50 years ago. [3] The island retains the agricultural crops of China in an almost untouched form and therefore the visit to this island was of especially great interest to me.
The island extends about 80 km in a north to south direction. Its southern portion is situated around the Tropic of Cancer and is thus within the tropical zone. The mountainous nature of the island causes a great variety of climates and vegetation. Here it is as if a subtropical flora meets and unites with a northern one in the mountain areas.
From the literature, I knew of the works by one of the foremost specialists on citrus fruits, Dr Tanaka, now professor at the University of Taiwan. [4] While looking for a colleague, to my surprise, I encountered a person who spoke English fluently since he had spent several years in the USA among friends of my friends there. Amicable relations quickly developed. The very same day an itinerary was worked out for all of the island of Taiwan, including the interior as well the southern part.
- Of course. You have no idea how glad I am that Vavilov wrote this sentence; more later. [↩]
- July 2007 estimate: 22,858,872, 98% ethnic Han. [↩]
- Odd; Japan gained control of Taiwan in 1895, and we know that Vavilov could not have been writing in 1945. Even in 1929, it was only 25 years ago. [↩]
- Tyôzaburô Tanaka, author of Tanaka’s Cyclopedia of edible plants of the world. [↩]
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“The island extends about 80 km in a north to south direction” – is not it odd? The main island of the group is 394 kilometres (245 mi) long and 144 kilometres (89 mi) wide.
You make a very good point. Thank you. I looked again, and the original English edition of Five Continents does say 80 km.
I try to check some facts, but obviously there are things I miss and it is good that you have strong local knowledge and can correct me. I hope if there are other mistakes you will let me know.