Taiwan
Official Country Name
Taiwan
Taiwan Overview
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.
Taiwan Economy
Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing guidance of investment and foreign trade by government authorities. In keeping with this trend, some large, government-owned banks and industrial firms are being privatized. Exports have provided the primary impetus for industrialization. The island runs a trade surplus, and foreign reserves are the world's third largest. Despite restrictions cross-strait links, China has overtaken the US to become Taiwan's largest export market and, in 2006, its second-largest source of imports after Japan. China is also the island's number one destination for foreign direct investment. Strong trade performance in 2006 pushed Taiwan's GDP growth rate above 4%, and unemployment is below 4%. Consumer spending recovered following a slowdown early in 2006, when banks tightened lending to address a sharp increase in delinquent consumer debt.
Taiwan Location
Taiwan is located in 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
Region
Taiwan is located in Asia
Taiwan Population
Taiwan has population of 23,036,087 (July 2006 est.)
Taiwan Climate
Taiwan has tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year
Taiwan Terrain
eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west
Taiwan Natural Resources
small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos
Ethnic Groups in Taiwan
Taiwan has the following ethnic groups - Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, indigenous 2%
Taiwan Religions
mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%
Taiwan Languages
Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects
Taiwan Capital
Taiwan capital is Taipei
Taiwan Currency
Taiwan currency is new Taiwan dollar
Map of Taiwan
