Taiwan This spindle-shaped island is at the southern extremity of the Em pire and lies next to the province of Fokien of southern China from which it is separated by the Taiwan Channel. The slight develop ment of the coastal line characterizes this island, there being no large indentations. Ke lung, the gate to this island on its northern end, is but a small harbor. The backbone of Taiwan begins with a precipitous cliff on the northern coast, and stretches W. S. W. for some distance, then turns to S. S. W. at Setsu san (Mount Sylvia, 12,641 feet). From this lofty peak the range runs along the length of the island, until it terminates at Garampi or the South Cape. It culminates at Niitaka yama or Mount Morrison (14,268 feet), the highest mountain of Japan. This range con sists of Palaeozoic and Archzan formations and slopes abruptly on its eastern side. Sharply separated from this range by a tectonic valley, another small range (the Taito), stretches north and south along the eastern coast. Parallel to the west side of the central range lie spurs of a later geological formation with a lower altitude. Along its foot extends a strip of the coastal plain, where the soil is remarkably fertile, and sugarcane and rice are cultivated. A characteristic feature of this plain is the excellent development of the deltas of many rivers, which, leaving the mountain region, suddenly discharge their water and silts into the plain. Taihoku, the metropolis of the island, is situated in a small basin at the northern end, through which the Tamsui River flows, having Tamsui harbor at its mouth. The hilly tract around this basin is well known for its tea plantations. On the north of the same basin stands the volcanic group of Taiton zan (2145 feet).
Hoko-to, or Pascadore Islands, are a group of small islands in Taiwan Channel. They are of 'basalt, with an insignificant altitude above the sea. The main island of Hoko-to has Mako, an excellent shelter harbor.
Hokusu, the main island of Hokkaido, or Yezo, as it is called by European;, is the second great island of Japan. It is rhom bic in its general outline with the coast mostly level and low, and with a peninsula of fish-tail shape on the southwest. The continuation of the volcanic chains in northern Honshu ex tends into this peninsular part. The large bay of Uchiura, or the Volcano Bay, commands an excellent view of various volcanoes on its coast. On the south of the bay is Koma-ga-take, to the southeast of which stands the active volcano of Esan. There are many volcanoes, especially in the region to the north of the bay. Makkan nupuri or Shiribeshi-yama (6,873 feet), which situated at the centre of that volcanic region, is noted for its perfect cone. Other volcanoes are Usu. Tarumaye. etc.
The 'backbone of the main part of Hokushu consists of older rocks and passes through the island in a S. S. E.— N. N. W. direction from Cape Erimo to Cape Soya. The southern half of this range is called Hidaka Mountain, the Yubari Range running parallel to it along its western side. At the centre of this backbone stand many peaks, most of which are of vol canic origin. Among these prominent peaks, Nutapkaushibe (7,691 feet), Oputateshike (6, 494 feet), and Tokachi-dake (5,943 feet) are well-known volcanoes, and Ishikari-dake (6, 675 feet) consisting of older eruptive rocks, is also noted for its high altitude. The Chishi
ma volcanic chain runs east, from Nutap kaushibe, including several volcanic cones, such as Meakan (5,304 feet), Oakan (4,950 feet), Atosa-nupuri, and Raushi-yama (5,160 feet).
Seaward from these elevations stretches a gently undulating hilly region through which many large rivers flow, such as Ishikari-gawa, Teshio-gawa, Tokachi-gawa, etc. Fertile plains are found along these rivers. The largest plain in the island is that of Ishikari, which separates the main body of the island from its peninsular part and penetrates further north ward into the mountain district along the river Ishikari. Kamikawa is a basin at the upper course of that river. Sapporo, the political centre of this island, is situated in the plain of Ishikari, and Otaru, its flourishing harbor, lies at a short distance from it.
Chishima or Kariles.— This group of islands stretches from the Bay of Nemuro to the southern extremity of Kamchatka Penin sula, describing a large arc forming the eastern boundary of the Sea of Okhotsk. These islands are entirely of volcanic origin, accompanying Tertiary strata in some islands. The three great islands, Kunashiri, Etorofu and Uruppu, lie to the northeast of the main island of Hok kaido in the order named. These islands have been explored but little and are very sparsely populated.
Karafuto The island of Kara futo stretches from east to west with the meri dian of 142° 30' E. as its axis. This island is now politically divided into two parts by the parallel of 50° N., Japan possessing its southern half. There are two peninsulas at the southern end of Japanese Karafuto which form the coast of Aniwa Bay. Kushunkotan (Korsakof), the political centre of the island, is a harbor situated at the northern end of this bay. Another large bay, which is called Terpenia Bay, lies on the eastern coast. The principal mountain chain, the Sakhalin Range, commences at Cape Notoro at the southern extremity of the island, form ing a continuation of the backbone of Hokkaido, from which Karafuto is separated by the nar row channel of Soya. This range is of the later geological periods, like to the northern Hokkaido, and generally it consists of gently undulating hills. There are neither precipitous mountains nor abruptly elevated lofty peaks. The highest mountain, Spamberg, does not ex ceed 3,300 feet in height. Susuya and Tako rivers flow in opposite directions along the eastern. foot of the range, forming a valley which extends north and south. On the other side of this valley the Susuya Range stretches along the eastern peninsula. There older geo logical formations are exposed, which may be the continuation of the same strata in Hidaka Range of Hokkaido. Along Susuya River there is an alluvial plain where Vladimirovka, the principal town, is situated. In the middle part of the island a similar topography is found. A large river valley formed by the Poronai and the Tym separates the Tiora Mountain Range on the east from the Sakhalin Range. Poronai River rises in the Russian territory and flows across the boundary line. There is a plain along the most of its course until it flows into Terpenia Bay. Some tundra or barren lands are found on its upper course.