Keelung

Keelung is a big port city.

It sits in northern Taiwan. It is near the ocean. Mountains are all around the city.

It rains a lot in Keelung. People call it the Rainy Port. This happens because of the sea.

The city has a large harbor. Many ships come to the port. It is a very busy place.

Keelung is a special place to visit.

Keelung is a major port city in northern Taiwan.

It sits near the ocean. Mountains surround the city on the east, west, and south.

Because it rains so much, people call it the Rainy Port.

The city has a very deep water harbor.

It is the second largest seaport in Taiwan. In 1984, it was the 7th largest port in the world. Many ships use this busy port to trade goods.

Long ago, the Ketagalan people lived here. They were the first inhabitants. Later, the Spanish built a fort in 1626. Other groups like the Dutch and the Japanese also ruled the area. In 1863, the city became a trading port. It grew fast because of coal and gold found nearby.

Today, about 362,255 people live in Keelung. The city has seven districts. One district is called Zhongzheng. It is the seat of the city government. Keelung is also known for the Ghost Festival. This is one of the biggest festivals in Taiwan.

Keelung is a major port city in the northern part of Taiwan.

It sits right by the ocean in a very special spot. Mountains surround the city on the east, west, and south sides.

Because it faces the sea, it has a great deep water harbor. This harbor has been important for many years. People often call the city the Rainy Port. This is because it gets a lot of rain.

The weather in Keelung is quite unique. It has a humid subtropical climate. The city is known for being one of the wettest places.

Much of this rain comes from the Kuroshio Current. In the winter and spring, the fog can be very thick. The rain is often heavier during the fall and winter months. This happens because of the way the winds hit the mountains. During the summer, the weather is long, hot, and relatively dry.

Many different groups of people have lived in Keelung throughout history. The Ketagalan people were the very first inhabitants of this area.

In 1626, the Spanish arrived and built Fort San Salvador.

Later, the Dutch controlled the area from 1642 to 1661. The Qing dynasty also held control of the region. In 1895, the island of Taiwan was handed over to the Empire of Japan. Under Japanese rule, the city was known by the name Kirun.

Keelung has grown into a very important place for trade. In 1863, the Qing Empire opened it as a trading port. The city grew quickly because of gold and coal found nearby.

During the Japanese era, the harbor underwent five phases of construction. By 1916, it was a major commercial harbor in Taiwan. In 1984, the harbor became the 7th largest container harbor in the world. Today, it is the second largest seaport in all of Taiwan.

Today, about 362,255 people call Keelung their home.

The city is divided into seven different districts. One of these is Zhongzheng, which is where the city government sits.

George Hsieh is the current Mayor of the city. Keelung is also famous for its festivals. The Keelung Ghost Festival is one of the largest in Taiwan. It has been celebrated since 1855.

Keelung is a major port city located in northeastern Taiwan.

It is part of the Taipei–Keelung metropolitan area. This region includes the neighboring cities of Taipei and New Taipei City. The city is surrounded by mountains on its eastern, western, and southern sides.

Because its northern coast faces the ocean, it provides a deep water harbor. This harbor has made Keelung a vital center for maritime trade for centuries. It is currently Taiwan's second largest seaport.

The city's climate is classified as humid subtropical. This means it is generally warm and very wet.

Keelung is often called the "Rainy Port" because of its frequent precipitation. Much of this weather is influenced by the Kuroshio Current. The city's location on northern mountain slopes also causes orographic lift. This process happens when air is forced upward by mountains, causing it to cool and release rain. Consequently, rainfall is heavier during the fall and winter months. During the summer, southwesterly winds create a slight rain shadow effect. This makes the summer months relatively dry and hot. Fog is most common during the winter and spring when humidity is highest.

Keelung's history is defined by many different ruling powers. The Ketagalan people were the first inhabitants of this region.

In 1624, the Spanish established Fort San Salvador as an outpost.

The Dutch East India Company later controlled the area from 1642 to 1661. They renamed the Spanish fort Fort Noort-Hollant. Eventually, the Qing dynasty took control of the area. The 19th century saw significant conflict during the First Opium War and the Sino-French War.

In 1895, the Empire of Japan took control of Taiwan. During this era, the city was known as Kirun. After 1945, the Republic of China assumed control of the city.

The name "Keelung" has several possible origins. Some believe it comes from a local mountain shaped like a rooster cage. However, it likely derives from the Ketagalan people. Early Han settlers may have adapted the name "Ketagalan" into Ke-lâng. In 1875, a new official name was provided during the late Qing era. In Mandarin, this was likely pronounced Gīlóng. Under Japanese rule, the name was romanized as Kiirun. In the local Taiwanese Hokkien language, residents call the city Ke-lâng. Modern Hanyu Pinyin writes the name as Jīlóng.

Economic development in Keelung was driven by natural resources. In 1863, the Qing Empire officially opened Keelung as a trading port. The area contained abundant commodities like placer gold and high-quality coal.

The Keelung River drainage area provided these valuable materials. During the Japanese period, a five-phase construction project improved Keelung Harbor. By 1916, its trade volume exceeded that of Tamsui and Kaohsiung. The port reached a massive milestone in 1984. At that time, it was the 7th largest container harbor in the world.

Today, Keelung is an organized administrative division. It is divided into seven distinct districts.

These districts are Zhongzheng, Zhongshan, Ren-ai, Xinyi, Anle, Nuannuan, and Qidu. Zhongzheng District serves as the seat of the city government.

As of 2023, the population was approximately 362,255 people. The city has a significant elderly population, with 20.24% of residents above age 65. Interestingly, 2024 data labeled Keelung as the "loneliest" city in Taiwan. This is because over 41 percent of households consist of a single person living alone.

Keelung also maintains a rich cultural life through its traditions. One of the most famous events is the Keelung Ghost Festival. This festival is one of the oldest and largest in Taiwan. It has been held since 1855.

The city continues to function as a major hub within the larger Taiwanese economy. Its transition from a colonial outpost to a global container port shows its lasting importance. From the Ketagalan tribes to modern maritime commerce, Keelung remains a central point of connection.