| After the attempt to conquer Macao in 1622, the Dutch settled in the Pescadores islands (building a fort in Makung) between Formosa and China. In 1624 a Chinese attack compelled them to move on nearby Formosa. They founded the castle of Zeelandia in 1624 on an island near the southwest coast of Formosa.Soon, the Dutch settlements had a vast commercial success.In response to the Dutch, the Spaniards landed on the north side of the island and built, in 1626, a fort at Keelung called "La Sanctissima Trinidad" or "San Salvador" and another at Tamsui (Fort San Domingo). In 1629, they were garrisoned by 200 Spaniards and 400 Filipinos.In the year of 1637 the Dutch took possession of the village Favorolang and enlarged the VOC territory.The Spaniards evacuated Tamsui in 1635, but Keelung remained in Spanish hands until 1642. In that year, a Dutch expedition totaling 11 ships and 1000 men attacked the Spanish fort and forced them to surrender. At this time there were in the fort 115 Spaniards and the total population of the settlement was 446. Name |  |