Qixingyan (Taiwan)
Encyclopedia
Qixingyan off the coast of Pingtung County
, Taiwan
, in the Bashi Channel
is composed of seven coral reef
s. At low tide seven reefs are visible. At high tide, only two reefs are visible. Qinxingyan is arranged in a shape similar to the Big Dipper
, hence the name Seven Star Reef. It is located approximately 8 nautical miles from the Southernmost point of Taiwan
, Oluanpi. Due to strong currents and shoals in the area, many ships were wrecked and lives lost in the early to mid-19th century after the Qing court opened trade between the West
and China
. Notable shipwrecks include the 1867 U.S. merchant vessel Rover which resulted in the Rover incident and the 1871 Japanese merchant vessel Ryukyu which resulted in the Mudan incident.
Pingtung County
Pingtung County is a county in Southern Taiwan. Pingtung County is officially administered as a county of the Republic of China . The oldest national park in Taiwan, Kenting National Park, was established in Pingtung County in 1984...
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, in the Bashi Channel
Bashi Channel
The Bashi Channel is a strait between the Y'Ami Island of the Philippines and Orchid Island of Taiwan. It is characterized by windy storms during the rainy period, June to December. It is a part of the Pacific Ocean....
is composed of seven coral reef
Coral reef
Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. Coral reefs are colonies of tiny living animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups. The polyps...
s. At low tide seven reefs are visible. At high tide, only two reefs are visible. Qinxingyan is arranged in a shape similar to the Big Dipper
Big Dipper
The Plough, also known as the Big Dipper or the Saptarishi , is an asterism of seven stars that has been recognized as a distinct grouping in many cultures from time immemorial...
, hence the name Seven Star Reef. It is located approximately 8 nautical miles from the Southernmost point of Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, Oluanpi. Due to strong currents and shoals in the area, many ships were wrecked and lives lost in the early to mid-19th century after the Qing court opened trade between the West
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Notable shipwrecks include the 1867 U.S. merchant vessel Rover which resulted in the Rover incident and the 1871 Japanese merchant vessel Ryukyu which resulted in the Mudan incident.