Taiwan | History, Capital, Language, Flag, Facts & Geography of Taiwan

History of Taiwan:

Off China’s southeast coast, in the Pacific Ocean, is the island republic of Taiwan.

Taiwan Island has been inhabited for a very long time. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to find it in 1544. They gave the island the name Formosa, which means “beautiful island.” The island was turned into a colony and populated by the Dutch in 1624. Chinese forces overcame the Dutch in 1683, and Taiwan eventually became a full province of the Chinese Empire.

In 1895, following a conflict between China and Japan, Japan took over the island. Japan contributed significantly to Taiwan’s economic growth. After Japan was defeated in World War II, Taiwan, however, returned to Chinese control. The KMT administration, led by Chiang Kai-shek, and the communists, led by Mao Zedong, were engaged in a civil war at the same time. 2 million refugees fled from mainland China to Taiwan after the communists took power. On the island of Taiwan, the Republic of China was founded in 1949 by Chiang Kai-shek.

Over the following few years, Taiwan’s administration was able to shift the island’s economy from agricultural to industry. A significant international economy has emerged in Taiwan.

Information about Taiwan:

Flag of Taiwan:

Taiwan Economy Key Industries:

Taiwan Major Industries: electronics, petroleum refining, armaments, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals

Taiwan Agricultural Products: rice, corn, vegetables, fruit, tea; pigs, poultry, beef, milk; fish

Taiwan Natural Resources: small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos

Taiwan Major Exports: computer products and electrical equipment, metals, textiles, plastics and rubber products, chemicals (2002)

Taiwan Major Imports: machinery and electrical equipment 44.5%, minerals, precision instruments (2002)

The Geography of Taiwan:

Total Size of Taiwan: 331,690 km² (source: wikipedia)

Geographical Low Point of Taiwan: South China Sea 0 m

Geographical High Point of Taiwan: Yu Shan 3,952 m

Climate of Taiwan: Tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year

General Terrain of Taiwan: eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west

World Region or Continent of Taiwan:  Asia

Geographical Coordinates: 23 30 N, 121 00 E

The People of  Taiwan & Culture

Taiwan Government Type: multiparty democracy

Taiwan Nationality: Taiwan (singular and plural)

Taiwan National Holiday: Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911)

Taiwan Independence: 10 October (1911)

Taiwan National Symbol: white, 12-rayed sun on blue field

Taiwan National Anthem or Song: Zhonghua Minguo guoge (National Anthem of the Republic of China)

Taiwan Languages Spoken: Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects

Taiwan Religions: mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%

Interesting Facts about Taiwan:

Taiwan and Thailand are frequently mistaken.

Taiwan and China are connected via a land bridge.

The Austronesian people live on Taiwan.

Taiwan is the island with the most mountains on earth.

Taiwan’s “Yushan” Mountain nearly made the “New Seven Wonders” list.

There is a volcano in Taipei City.

The Taiwan district is one of the most populated areas on earth.

Taiwan is home to Confucius’ only surviving descendant.

The record for the longest rainbow ever was set in Taiwan.

Students in Taiwan attend class for almost half of the day.

Taiwan is the most libertarian nation in Asia.

For 50 years, Taiwan was a Japanese colony.

In Taiwan, there are four official languages.

In Taiwan, bubble tea was created.

Taiwan is where cat cafes first appeared.

Taiwan produces the finest “oolong” tea in the entire globe.

In terms of convenience store density, Taiwan comes in second.

One of the four “Asian Tigers” was Taiwan.

Only 13 nations have formally recognized Taiwan.

Taiwan has been listed on the passport since 2021. It was formerly known as the Republic of China.

Taipei 101 is the tallest green structure in the world.

Taiwan utilizes a unique calendar.

Taiwan hosts one of the most hazardous festivals on the planet.

Taiwan is home to the largest collection of Chinese art.

Taiwan shares borders with the Philippines to the south, Japan to the northeast, and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest.