The Free area of the Republic of China is a legal and political description referring to the territories under the actual control by the government of the Republic of China (ROC), consisting of the island groups of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and some minor islands. As the island of Taiwan is the main component of the whole area, it is therefore also referred to as the "Taiwan Area of the Republic of China" or simply the "Taiwan Area" . The term "Tai-Peng-Kin-Ma" is also equivalent except that it only refers to the four main islands of the region - Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu.