Taiwan Image Explorer

Georeferenced Historical Photographs 1895‒1945

The Taiwan Photo Gallery/GIS Database (台灣百年寫真GIS資料庫) is a collection of 25,000 photographs from 1895 to 1945. The digitized images are presented in an innovative way by including the GIS mapping coordinates as well as interpretive material. This enriches the contents by encouraging new insights on the interrelationship between space and time for these important records of Taiwanese history and culture during the period of Japanese colonial rule. Their content informs research on history and historical events, geography, literature, education, news, leisure, transportation, economics, architecture, tourism, war, Taiwanese aborigines, railroads, tea and other subjects.

The Taiwan Photo Gallery/GIS Database offers a dynamic and innovative way to study Taiwan’s history through the lens of photography and modern technology. By combining historical imagery with GIS mapping, the project provides a more immersive and interactive learning experience, making it an invaluable resource for researchers, students, and anyone interested in the historical development of Taiwan.

With its rich collection of 25,000 photographs, this database serves not only as a digital archive but also as a knowledge-based resource that opens new doors for exploring Taiwan’s complex historical landscape. Whether for academic research, educational purposes, or cultural preservation, the Taiwan Photo Gallery/GIS Database is an essential tool for anyone seeking to understand the island’s rich and multifaceted history.

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Taiwan Image Explorer

Key Stats

  • Archive: 1860-1945
  • Language: Traditional Chinese
  • Items: 25,000 photographs
  • City: Taipei
  • Country: Taiwan
  • Format: Full image, description, location data (GIS)
  • Producer: TBMC
  • Platform: TBMC

About the Database

The Taiwan Photo Gallery/GIS Database is hosted by Transmission Books & Microinfo Co., Ltd. (TBMC), a well-known online content producer from Taiwan. This database serves as a rich educational tool, offering detailed visual references for studies in history, geography, literature, architecture, tourism, and more. Some key uses include:

  • Landform and Landscape Comparisons: Researchers can explore how Taiwan’s geographical features have changed over the past century.
  • Cultural Landscape Analysis: The interrelationship between cultural practices and historical geography can be explored through photos of temples, markets, schools, and other important local landmarks.
  • Analysis of Taiwan’s Industrial Evolution: Photos from companies and government entities allow for in-depth studies of Taiwan’s industrial growth under Japanese colonial rule, particularly in the sugar, tea, and railway industries.
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