Name: Taiwan ( 臺灣; tái wān /tie-wann/)
Meaning: "platform gulf" or "terraced bay"
Other names: Republic of China (ROC), Formosa, Ilha Formosa (Beautiful Isle in Portuguese)
Features
- Modern cities and very high forested mountains
- Hi-tech companies
- Taiwanese ethnic culture
- One of the most densely populated countries in the world
Most Popular Attractions
- Cities: Taipei City (modern urban center), Taicheng (ancient architecture and sites)
- Natural: Taroko Gorge, Alishan, Kenting National Park, Shei-pa National Park, Yangmingshan National Park, Yushan Mountain (highest point in East Asia)
- Most popular souvenirs and local products: electronics, local fruit and seafood
- Most popular food: Taiwanese beef noodles (niúròu miàn), aiyu (àiyù) jelly, Taiwanese oranges (lidīng), Taiwanese porridge (zhōu)
History
- 1624-1662 The Dutch Empire subjugated the aboriginal territory.
- 1862 Koxinga and his army from the Chinese mainland defeated the Dutch and took over the territory.
- 1895 The Qing Empire seceded Taiwan to Japan.
- 1945 The Nationalist ROC party took over the government.
- 1948-1950 Millions of mainland Chinese fled to the territory.
- 1991 Taiwan held its first election for the legislature.
- 1996 The first presidential election was held, and Taiwan became a democracy.
Geography
- Capital city: Taipei
- Tourism: spectacular scenery and hiking, shopping for high-end electronics, Chinese and Taiwanese culture, museums for ancient artifacts from the Chinese mainland.
- Significance: Taiwan has an advanced service and industrial economy and is the first Chinese democratic land. Taiwanese companies lead in some sectors of electronics manufacturing.
- Adjacent provinces and territories: the island is across from Fujian Province and adjacent to Japan.
- Formosa: Taiwan's main island is Formosa, 394 kilometers long and 144 kilometers wide
- Terrain: The island has a high mountain chain with flat coastal strips to the east and west of it.
- Highest Elevation: Yushan Mountain, 3,952 m (12,996 ft)
- Province location: in the East China Sea
- Population: (2011) 23,000,000
- Area: 36,008 sq km (13,902.8 sq mi)
- Population density: 668/sq km (1,730/sq mi)
Climate
- Average annual low temperature in January: 12.8 °C (55 °F)
- Average annual high temperature in August: 30 °C(86 °F)
- Marine tropical climate with monsoons; annual precipitation: 2,500 mm (98 in) Most of the island has a warm, wet and comfortable climate, and there are occasional typhoons. Some of the mountains have an alpine climate.
Economy
- Average annual income: 556,740 Taiwan dollars (18,558 USD)
- Development: highly advanced economy. Taiwan has the world's fifth largest foreign reserves, is considered to be the 20th richest state, and is an electronics and optronics technology leader.
- Industry: 70% tertiary industry (services, financial services), 28% secondary (electronics, light industry), 2% primary (mining, agriculture, fishing industry)
Transportation
- Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport served 25 million people in 2010.
- 4 international airports
- 1 bullet train line connects most of the urban area
