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Taiwan

Also known as ROC, Taiwan ROC, TW, The ROC, Republic of China (Taiwan), Chunghwa Minkuo, TPE, TWN

Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The main island of Taiwan, also known as Formosa, lies between the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south. It has an area of , with mountain ranges dominating the eastern two-thirds and plains in the western third, where its highly urbanized population is concentrated. The combined territories under ROC control consist of 168 islands in total covering . The largest metropolitan area

AI overview

Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, is an island nation in East Asia located between the East and South China Seas, with a mountainous eastern region and urbanized western plains that is home to a significant population. It matters as a major East Asian economy and geopolitical entity, positioned strategically among China, Japan, and the Philippines, with control over a total of 168 islands in the region.

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Country

Capital: Taipei
Population: 23,317,031
Region

Travel guide

Understand

Taiwan is home to more than 24 million people (2022). Although the vast majority of the population is ethnically Han Chinese, the indigenous Austronesian inhabitants maintain their own cultures, and the legacy of Japanese colonial rule still pervades much of Taiwanese life.

Japanese, Hongkongers and Southeast Asians enjoy taking short trips to Taiwan to enjoy its neighborly hospitality. Taiwan is home to some well-known international companies such as Acer, MSI, Asus, HTC, TSMC and Giant Bicycles, whose technologies are some of the most advanced in the world.

See

Perhaps due to its political ambiguity and lack of global presence, Taiwan has traditionally not been a significant destination for Westerners, though this is changing. Nevertheless tourists from Japan and Hong Kong have been visiting Taiwan in droves for a long time, and they are being joined by an increasing number of Koreans and Southeast Asians. The island is home to many cultural attractions, with an excellent selection right in the capital. Taipei is a bustling and modern metropolis, with ancient yet lively streets, and world-famous landmarks like Taipei 101. However, it's also home to the National Palace Museum, Zhongshan Hall, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall and the beautifully restored Bao'an Temple. Bao'an is just one of many striking temple complexes worth a visit. For more, try the Zushi Temple in Sanxia or the Mazu temple in Makung. The large Longshan Temple in Lukang and the Confucian Temples of Changhua and Tainan are fine choices too. Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan and therefore full of historic sites, especially colonial buildings, and including the Anping "Tree House" that's being slowly reclaimed by banyan trees. If you're looking for some deeper insights in Taiwan's history and culture, there's a wide range of museums to be explored, pretty much wherever you go.

This island is home to bustling cities with modern, high-tech infrastructure, and good transportation infrastructure means that getting around is easy. For those who have grown weary of the hus…

Eat

thumb|Taiwanese beef noodle soup thumb|Lemon aiyu jelly

Taiwan is a food lover's paradise, and a popular culinary tourism destination for East and Southeast Asian tourists. While not as highly regarded as the food from Hong Kong due to the traditionally high status Cantonese cuisine holds in Chinese culture, Taiwanese food has become more respected.

~40 min read

Article

52 sections

Contents

Etymology
Names for the island
Names of the country and jurisdiction
History
Pre-colonial period
Early colonial period (to 1683)
Qing rule (1683–1895)
Japanese rule (1895–1945)
Republic of China (1945–present)
Martial law era (1949–1987)
Transition to democracy
Geography
Climate
Geology
Government and politics
Government
Constitution
Administrative divisions
Major camps
National identity
Public opinion
<span class="anchor" id="status"></span>International status and relations
Relations with the PRC
Participation in international events and organizations
Military
LGBTQ rights
Economy
Transport
Demographics
Largest cities and counties
Ethnic groups
Languages
Religion
Education
Health
Culture
Arts
Popular culture
Cuisine
Sports
National symbols
Calendar
See also
Notes
Words in native languages
References
Citations
Works cited
Further reading
External links
Overviews and data
Government agencies

Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The main island of Taiwan, also known as Formosa, lies between the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south. It has an area of 35,808 square kilometers (13,826 square miles), with mountain ranges dominating the eastern two-thirds and plains in the western third, where its highly urbanized population is concentrated. The combined territories under ROC control consist of 168 islands in total covering 36,193 square kilometers (13,974 square miles). The largest metropolitan area is formed by Taipei (the capital), New Taipei City, and Keelung. With around 23.9 million inhabitants, Taiwan is among the most densely populated countries.

Taiwan has been settled for at least 25,000 years. Ancestors of Taiwanese indigenous peoples settled the island around 6,000 years ago. In the 17th century, large-scale Han Chinese immigration began under Dutch colonial rule and continued under the Kingdom of Tungning, the first predominantly Han Chinese state in Taiwanese history. The island was annexed in 1683 by the Qing dynasty and ceded to the Empire of Japan in 1895. The Republic of China, which had overthrown the Qing in 1912 under the leadership of Sun Yat-sen, assumed control following the surrender of Japan in World War II. With the loss of mainland China to the Communists in the Chinese Civil War, the government of the Republic of China moved to Taiwan in 1949 under the Kuomintang (KMT).