Penghu

The Penghu Islands, also known as the Pescadores, are an archipelago located in the Taiwan Strait.

This group consists of 90 islands and islets. They sit just west of the main island of Taiwan. To reach them, one must cross the Penghu Channel. The archipelago covers a specific area and forms a distinct geographic unit. Magong is the largest city in the islands. It is located on the largest island of the group.

Most of the islands fall under the Penghu National Scenic Area.

One of the most famous features of the islands is the columnar basalt landscape.

Basalt is a type of volcanic rock. Columnar basalt forms when thick lava flows cool and contract. This process creates long, vertical stone columns. This unique geological sight draws many visitors to the area. Because of these natural wonders, tourism is a primary source of income for the county.

The islands are a significant destination for those interested in geology and nature.

History shows that many different groups have visited or lived in Penghu. A fossil jaw found in the Penghu Channel dates to the Pleistocene epoch. This fossil may have belonged to a Denisovan, which is an extinct species of hominin. Around 5,000 years ago, Austronesians from southwestern Taiwan visited the islands. They left behind fine red cord-marked pottery at Guoye in Huxi. However, they did not stay to settle permanently. Later, Chinese fishing communities began to establish themselves during the 9th and 10th centuries.

Over many centuries, the islands changed hands between different powers. In 1281, the Yuan dynasty officially incorporated Penghu into China. This happened under the jurisdiction of Tong'an County. The islands saw brief occupations by the Dutch Empire from 1622 to 1624. The Dutch built a fort to try and force trade. Later, the French colonial empire occupied the islands in 1885 during the Sino-French War. This period was marked by the Pescadores Campaign. Admiral Amédée Courbet led this campaign but died of cholera while in Makung harbour.

Japan took control of the islands in 1895. This occurred at the end of the First Sino-Japanese War. The Japanese called the area the Hōko Prefecture.

During World War II, Makō served as a major base for the Imperial Japanese Navy. The islands were also a starting point for the invasion of the Philippines. In 1944, the islands suffered from extensive bombing during air raids. Japan surrendered in 1945, which ended their colonial rule. Following this, the Republic of China (ROC) began to govern the archipelago.

The political status of the islands has been a subject of international discussion. The Cairo Declaration of 1943 stated that Japan should return territories like the Pescadores to China. After Japan's surrender in 1945, the islands were handed to the ROC. The Treaty of Taipei, signed in 1952, is seen by some as legal support for ROC claims. However, the United States has held different views on sovereignty over time. Under the Taiwan Relations Act, Penghu is geographically acknowledged as part of Taiwan. This complex history is reflected in the various names used for the islands.

The name "Penghu" has several possible origins. In the Song dynasty, the name "Pinghu" was used. This name meant "flat lake" because of the shape of the inner coastline. In the Southern Min language, Pinghu and Penghu sound very similar. The name "Pescadores" is actually the Portuguese name for the islands. It translates to "Fishermen Islands." This name was used by Europeans who observed the local fishing communities. Today, the islands remain a vital part of the region's maritime identity.

Accessing the islands relies entirely on sea and air transportation. There are no land connections to the mainland. Air travel is a very important way for people to reach the archipelago. There are three local domestic airports serving the islands. These are Penghu Airport, Qimei Airport, and Wang-an Airport.

These airports allow for quick travel between the islands and the mainland. Whether by plane or by boat, the journey connects travelers to this unique island chain.