Dialing code +886
ISO 2 code TW
ISO 3 code TWN
Capital Taipei
Main Language Traditional Chinese
Currency Dollar (TWD)
GDP $738.8 billion 18th
Population 22,894,384 50th

Geography

Continent Asia
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
Land 35,980 km2 139th
Terrain Eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west
Climate Tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year
Natural Hazards Eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west
Note: Strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait

Neighbouring Countries

History

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 Taiwan's eventual status - as well as domestic political and economic reform.
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Demographics

Life Expectancy 77.96 years 44th
Median Age 36.5 years 52nd
Birth Rate 8.99 births/1,000 population 195th
Death Rate 6.76 births/1,000 population 132nd
Sex Ratio 0.94 male(s)/female 24th
Literacy 96.1% 78th
Population

22.9 million

Transportation

Roadways 40262 km 87th
Railways 1588 km 80th
Airports 41 102nd
Waterways None km
Heliports 4 37th
Airports paved 3 38th

Economy

Currency Dollar (TWD)
GDP $738.8 billion 18th
GDP per capita (PPP) $31900 34th