Taiwan Facts

Taiwan (Red)

Taiwan (Traditional Chinese:台灣 or 臺灣, Simplified Chinese:台湾) is an island nation of about 36,000 square kilometers located off the coast of southeastern China, southwest of Okinawa and north of the Philippines. The island is governed by the Republic of China (中華民國 Zhōnghuá Mínguó) or ROC. Shaped roughly like a sweet potato, the nation is home to more than 22 million people and is one of the most densely populated places in the world. Besides its crowded cities and friendly people, Taiwan is also known for steep mountains and lush forests. In addition to the island of Taiwan, the Republic of China also governs the Pescadores (Penghu), Quemoy (Kinmen/Jinmen), and Matsu.

Taiwan Flag

National Anthem – Taiwan National Anthem

Background

In 1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan to Japan. Taiwan reverted to Chinese control after World War II. Following the Communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1946 constitution drawn up for all of China. Over the next five decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the local population within the governing structure. In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party. Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia’s economic “Tigers.” The dominant political issues continue to be the relationship between Taiwan and China – specifically the question of eventual unification – as well as domestic political and economic reform.

History

Settled by the Chinese in the seventh century, it was explored by the Portuguese in 1590 and held by the Dutch in the mid-1600s before being seized by Qing dynasty Chinese in 1683. Taiwan was ceded to Japan in 1895 and regained by China after World War II (1945). Taiwan broke off from mainland China in 1949 when the Nationalists under Chiang Kai-Shek fled from Mao Zedong’s forces and established their government on the island.

Location

Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China

Geographic coordinates

23 30 N, 121 00 E

Map references

Southeast Asia

Area

total

35,980 sq km

land

32,260 sq km

water

3,720 sq km

note

includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy islands

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

1,566.3 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea

12 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

Climate

tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year

Terrain

eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west

Elevation extremes

lowest point

South China Sea 0 m

highest point

Yu Shan 3,952 m

Natural resources

small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos

Land use

arable land

24%

permanent crops

1%

other

75% (2001)

Irrigated land

NA

Natural hazards

earthquakes and typhoons

Environment – current issues

air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal

Largest Cities – City & Urban populations combined

Taipei – 10.4 mil; Kaohsiung – 4 mil; Taichung – 3.1 mil

Total Population - Close to 23 million

Exchange Rate - 1 USD = 32.6 TWD as of 6/8/2009

President -Ying-jeou

Ma Ying-jeou

Kaohsiung