Formosa (Noun)
Meaning
An island in southeastern Asia 100 miles off the coast of mainland China in the South China Sea.
Classification
Nouns denoting spatial position.
Examples
- Formosa was an alternate name used for Taiwan in the past due to its historic connections with Portuguese explorers who gave it the name meaning beautiful island.
- Historians believed the island of Formosa played a pivotal role in regional maritime trade throughout history.
- When the Dutch took over Formosa in 1624, the economy flourished, establishing an influential European settlement.
- Although once predominantly indigenous and with early Chinese influences, the colonial powers brought additional diverse populations to Formosa, impacting its society and architecture.
- Early travelers from Portugal documented that they came upon an attractive landscape that reflected why Formosa became synonymous with its poetic definition, a 'beautiful island'.