Green Island, Taiwan 4.93

Green Island is a small volcanic island in the Pacific Ocean about 33km off the eastern coast of Taiwan. It is 15.092km2 at high tide and 17.329km2 at low tide, making it the Republic of China's fourth-largest island. The island is administered as, 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.NameThe name "Green Island" is a calque of the island's Chinese name, which was adopted on August 1, 1949, at the behest of Huang Shih-hung, the magistrate of Taitung. Prior to 1949, it was known as from its former name. In the 19th century, it was also called Samasana Island from its Amis name Sanasai.HistoryThe 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.