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
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. Read more on Wikipedia
