Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung is a big city.

It is in southern Taiwan. It sits by the sea.

The city has a very large harbor. Many big ships go there. This makes it a busy place.

Long ago, the area had many bamboo trees. People called it Takau. Now, the city has many people living there. It is a place with much to see.

Kaohsiung is a large city in southern Taiwan.

It sits on the coast facing the Taiwan Strait. The city is very big in size. It even covers more area than any other city in Taiwan.

About 2.72 million people live in Kaohsiung. It is the third largest city in the country. The city is famous for its busy harbor. The Port of Kaohsiung is the largest harbor in Taiwan. More than 67% of the nation's containers pass through here.

Many industries help the city grow. These include making steel and oil. People also work in shipbuilding and freight transport. The city is well connected by trains and highways. It even has a large airport for many travelers.

Long ago, the area was a small village. Some say the old name, Takau, meant "bamboo forest." Today, the city has many new places for art and music. It is a very important place for Taiwan.

Kaohsiung is a very large city in southern Taiwan.

It sits on the southwestern coast facing the Taiwan Strait. The city covers a huge amount of land. It is actually the largest city in Taiwan by area.

It borders Tainan City to the northwest. It also sits near Chiayi, Nantou, Taitung, and Pingtung. About 2.72 million people live in this busy place.

This city is a major center for work and trade.

The Port of Kaohsiung is the largest and busiest harbor in Taiwan. More than 67% of the country's import and export containers pass through here. Many people work in industries like steel-making and oil refining. Other important jobs include shipbuilding and freight transport.

The city also has a very busy airport.

It is the second busiest airport in Taiwan for passengers.

History shows that people have lived here for a very long time.

Archaeologists found signs of human activity from 7,000 years ago. The Makatao people once lived in this region. They called the area Takau, which may mean "bamboo forest." In the 1600s, the Dutch called the area Tancoia. Later, the city grew as a trading village. The name changed many times under different groups. It was known as Takow during Japanese rule. Eventually, the name became Kaohsiung in Mandarin.

Modern Kaohsiung is a place of big buildings and fast travel.

You can travel easily by high speed and conventional rail. There are also many national freeways for cars.

The city is home to the Republic of China Navy headquarters. Recent projects have added many cultural spots. These include the Pier-2 Art Center and the Kaohsiung Music Center.

These places help the city grow through tourism.

Kaohsiung connects the sea to the mountains.

The city reaches from the coastal urban center to the rural Yushan Range. The Love River flows through the downtown area into the harbor.

Cijin Island sits in the harbor and acts as a breakwater.

This mix of water, industry, and nature makes it special. It is a vital part of the whole nation.

The city continues to change and grow every day.

Kaohsiung is a major special municipality in southern Taiwan.

It is the largest city in Taiwan by land area. The city covers a diverse landscape. It stretches from coastal urban centers to the rural Yushan Range.

Approximately 2.72 million people live in this region. It is Taiwan's third most populous city. Kaohsiung serves as a vital economic hub for the southern part of the island. It is classified as a "Sufficiency" level global city. This means it has high connectivity to the rest of the world.

The city's economy relies on several heavy industries. These include manufacturing, steel-making, and oil refining. Shipbuilding and freight transport are also very important.

The Port of Kaohsiung is the largest and busiest harbor in Taiwan. It is a central point for global trade. More than 67% of the nation's import and export container volume passes through this port.

Aviation is another major sector. Kaohsiung International Airport is the second busiest airport in Taiwan by passenger numbers.

The city is also a military center. It hosts the Republic of China Navy fleet headquarters and its naval academy.

The geography of Kaohsiung is defined by its relationship with the water. The city sits on the southwestern coast facing the Taiwan Strait.

It borders Tainan City to the northwest. It also touches Chiayi, Nantou, Taitung, and Pingtung counties. The downtown area is centered around Kaohsiung Harbor. Cijin Island sits across the harbor to act as a natural breakwater.

The Love River flows through the city and into the harbor. To the north lies the Zuoying Military Harbor. Natural landmarks like Ape Hill and Mount Banping add to the landscape.

Human activity in this region dates back thousands of years. Archaeological studies show signs of life from 4,700 to 5,200 years ago.

Early inhabitants included the Dapenkeng, Niuchouzi, Dahu, and Niaosong civilizations. The Makatao people of the Siraya tribe also settled here. They called the area Takau, which likely means "bamboo forest." Ancient inhabitants lived in hunter-gatherer societies. They used the harbor, which was once a lagoon. Some archaeological sites like Longquan Temple are well preserved. These ruins help us understand how early people lived near the coast.

The name of the city has changed many times through history. In the 17th century, the Dutch called the area Tancoia. In 1662, the Kingdom of Tungning expelled the Dutch. Later, the name "Takau" became popular again. During Japanese rule, the name was changed to Takao.

In 1920, it was administered as Takao Prefecture. After the Republic of China took control, the name became Kaohsiung. This was based on the Mandarin pronunciation of the characters. The name Takau is still used by some local businesses.

Modern development has transformed the city's infrastructure. Japan helped turn Takao into an industrial center during the early 20th century. They developed the harbor and connected the city to the North-South Railway.

After World War II, the Republic of China restored the damaged port. Kaohsiung grew rapidly and eventually became a special municipality in 1979. In 2010, the city merged with Kaohsiung County.

This merger created an even larger administrative area. Today, the city is well-connected by high-speed rail and national freeways.

Recently, Kaohsiung has focused on culture and tourism. New public works have changed the feel of the city. The Pier-2 Art Center is a notable example. The National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts and the Kaohsiung Music Center are also important.

These sites help grow the local tourism industry. The city also has a strong political identity. It has become a center for the Pan-Green population in Taiwan. This makes Kaohsiung a significant place for the nation's political life.