What is the Old name of Taiwan?
VerifiedAnswer: Formosa
Explanation:
The old name of Taiwan was Formosa, a name that carries fascinating historical significance. This beautiful name originated from Portuguese explorers who first encountered the island in the 16th century during their maritime expeditions across the Pacific Ocean.
When Portuguese sailors first laid eyes on Taiwan around 1544, they were struck by the island's breathtaking natural beauty. The lush green mountains, pristine coastlines, and tropical landscapes prompted them to call it "Ilha Formosa", which translates to "Beautiful Island" in Portuguese. This name perfectly captured their first impression of this stunning island in the Taiwan Strait.
The name Formosa became widely used throughout the colonial period and remained popular in international circles for several centuries. European maps, trading documents, and historical records consistently referred to the island as Formosa rather than Taiwan. This Portuguese name gained such widespread acceptance that it became the standard international designation for the island.
Interestingly, while the Portuguese gave the island its international name, the local indigenous peoples had their own names for their homeland long before any European arrival. The name "Taiwan" itself actually derives from the indigenous Siraya people's word "Tayuan" or "Taian," which referred to a specific area in what is now Tainan. Dutch colonizers later adopted and modified this local name.
During the period of Japanese rule (1895-1945), the island was officially called Taiwan, but the name Formosa continued to be used in many international contexts. Even today, you might still encounter references to Formosa in historical texts, older maps, or when discussing the island's colonial period and natural heritage.
The transition from Formosa to Taiwan as the primary name reflects the island's complex history of indigenous culture, European exploration, Chinese settlement, Japanese colonization, and modern political development. Understanding this naming history helps us appreciate how geographical names evolve through cultural interactions and historical changes over time.
