Taiwan's Central Mountain Range stretches 300 km, peaking at Yushan (3,952 m)—Taiwan's highest—with 27 peaks over 3,000 m and subtropical forests. The Snow Mountain range rises to 3,886 m, formed by Philippine Sea subduction 5 million years ago with 100 hot springs. Coastal Range averages 1,000 m, volcanic basalt. Tamsui River (158 km) carves Taipei basin. This island topography includes 9 national parks with Formosan black bears and 4,000 plant species.
