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Green Island (Taiwan)

Green Island
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
Literal meaning "Green Island"
Japanese name
Kanji
Green Island Township
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
Bonfire Island
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
Literal meaning "Fire-roasted Island"
Alternative Chinese name
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
Literal meaning "Fire-roasted Islet"
Japanese name
Kanji

Green Island is a small volcanic island in the Pacific Ocean about 33 km (21 mi) off the eastern coast of Taiwan. It is 15.092 km2 (5.83 sq mi) at high tide and 17.329 km2 (6.69 sq mi) at low tide, making it the Republic of China's fourth-largest island. The island is administered as Lüdao Township, a rural township of Taitung County and one of the county's two offshore areas (the other being Orchid Island). The island once served as a penal colony for political prisoners during Taiwan's period of martial law, although today it is primarily known as a tourist hotspot.

The name "Green Island" is a calque of the island's Chinese name Lǜdǎo, which was adopted on August 1, 1949, at the behest of Huang Shih-hung (黃式鴻), the magistrate of Taitung. Prior to 1949, it was known as Bonfire Island from its former name Kashō-tō (Japanese: 火焼島). In the 19th century, it was also called Samasana Island from its Amis name Sanasai.

The island was originally inhabited by the aboriginal Amis people.

In March 1864 the British brig Susan Douglas was swept off course and wrecked on the island. Her captain then sailed by junk from the island to Kaohsiung, and the Royal Navy gunboat HMS Bustard found and rescued the remainder of the survivors.


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