Ilha Formosa

Portuguese sailors first came across an uncharted archipelago in the mid 16th century; astonished by the view of the main island, they named it Ilha Formosa or “Beautiful Island”. Prior to the modern era, Formosa was the home to Indigenous Peoples closely related to the Austronesian Indigenous Peoples, most notable of which are the Maori. As time progressed, Formosa saw settlers from around the world come and go. Chinese Dynasties spanning from the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, The Dutch East Indian Company, The Spanish Empire, Imperial Japan, and the Republic of China settled in Formosa and heavily influenced the culture and history of the island. Formosa, known today as Taiwan, is a melting pot of numerous cultures and traditions that reflects its rich history. Home to a population of over 24 million people, The Taipei 101, and the world’s most advanced semiconductor foundry, Taiwan has countless destinations that await you.