Country	Taiwan
Capital	Taipei
Continent	Asia
Currency	New Taiwan dollar(TWD)
Languages	Standard Chinese, Hokkien, Hakka, Formosan languages & Fuzhou dialect

Locaion

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

Geographic Co ordinates

23 30 N, 121 00 E

Land Boundries

0 km

Geography - note

strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait

Population

23,024,956 (July 2010 est.)
Country comparison to the world:49

Nationality

Noun:Taiwan (singular and plural)
note: example - he or she is from Taiwan; they are from Taiwan
Adjective:Taiwan

Ethnic groups

Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, indigenous 2%

Religions

mixture of Buddhist and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%

Languages

Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects

Country Name

Conventional long form:none
Conventional short form:Taiwan
Local long form:none
Local short form:T'ai-wan
Former:Formosa

Government Type

multiparty democracy

Capital

Name:Taipei
Geographic coordinates:25 03 N, 121 30 E
Time difference:UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

includes main island of Taiwan plus smaller islands nearby and off coast of China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 18 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5 municipalities (shih, singular and plural), and 2 special municipalities (chih-hsia-shih, singular and plural)
note: Taiwan uses a variety of romanization systems; while a modified Wade-Giles system still dominates, the city of Taipei has adopted a Pinyin romanization for street and place names within its boundaries; other local authorities use different romanization systems; names for administrative divisions that follow are taken from the Taiwan Yearbook 2007 published by the Government Information Office in Taipei.
counties: Changhua, Chiayi [county], Hsinchu [county], Hualien, Kaohsiung [county], Kinmen, Lienchiang, Miaoli, Nantou, Penghu, Pingtung, Taichung [county], Tainan [county], Taipei [county], Taitung, Taoyuan, Yilan, and Yunlin
municipalities: Chiayi [city], Hsinchu [city], Keelung, Taichung [city], Tainan [city]
special municipalities: Kaohsiung [city], Taipei [city]

National Holiday

Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911)

Constitution

adopted on 25 December 1946; promulgated on 1 January 1947; effective 25 December 1947; amended numerous times

Legal system

based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

20 years of age; universal

Executive branch

Chief of state: President MA Ying-jeou (since 20 May 2008); Vice President Vincent SIEW (since 20 May 2008)
Head of government:Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) WU Den-yih (since 10 September 2009); Vice Premier (Vice President of Executive Yuan) Sean CHEN (since 17 May 2010)
Cabinet:Executive Yuan - (ministers appointed by president on recommendation of premier)
(For more information visit the World Leaders website)
Elections:president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2012); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier
Election results:MA Ying-jeou elected president; percent of vote - MA Ying-jeou 58.45%, Frank HSIEH 41.55%

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Yuan (113 seats - 73 district members elected by popular vote, 34 at-large members elected on basis of proportion of islandwide votes received by participating political parties, 6 elected by popular vote among aboriginal populations; members to serve four-year terms); parties must receive 5% of vote to qualify for at-large seats
Elections:Legislative Yuan - last held on 12 January 2008 (next to be held in December 2011 or January 2012)
Election results:Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - KMT 53.5%, DPP 38.2%, NPSU 2.4%, PFP 0.3%, others 1.6%, independents 4%; seats by party - KMT 81, DPP 27, NPSU 3, PFP 1, independent 1; note - seats by party as of April 2010 - KMT 74, DPP 33, NPSU 1, PFP 1, independent 2

Judicial branch

Judicial Yuan (justices appointed by the president with consent of the Legislative Yuan)

Political Parties and Leaders

Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [TSAI Ing-wen]; Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [MA Ying-jeou]; Non-Partisan Solidarity Union or NPSU [LIN Pin-kuan]; People First Party or PFP [James SOONG]

Political pressure groups and leaders

environmental groups; independence movement; various business groups
note: debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalization and the increased representation of opposition parties in Taiwan's legislature have opened public debate on the island's national identity; a broad public consensus has developed that the government enjoys popular sovereignty and - whatever the ultimate outcome regarding unification or independence - that Taiwan's people must have the deciding voice; public opinion polls consistently show a substantial majority of Taiwan people supports maintaining Taiwan's status quo for the foreseeable future; advocates of Taiwan independence oppose the stand that the island will eventually unify with mainland China; goals of the Taiwan independence movement include establishing a sovereign nation on Taiwan and entering the UN; advocates of eventual unification predicate their goal on the democratic transformation of the mainland

International organization participation

ADB, APEC, BCIE, ICC, IOC, ITUC, WFTU, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

none; commercial and cultural relations with the people in the United States are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts
representative: Jason C. YUAN
office: 4201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] 202 895-1800
Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices (branch offices): Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Houston, Honolulu, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle

Diplomatic representation from the US

none; commercial and cultural relations with the people on Taiwan are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts
director: William A. STANTON
office: #7 Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3, Taipei, Taiwan
telephone: [1] [886] (02) 2162-2000
FAX: [1] [886] (07) 238-7744
other offices: Kaohsiung

Flag description

red field with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays

Video

View Larger Map

Government - Government - Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry Of Education
Newspapers - Sina Taipei Times Taiwan News The Central News Agency The China Post
                             The Taiwan Economic News Apple Daily China Times Epochtimes
                             Liberty Times Merit Times Taipei Soir Taiwan Info UDN.com
Tourism -         Ministry Of Tourism

Google News

Taiwan’s opposition leader faced a tough crowd in America - The EconomistTaiwan’s opposition leader faced a tough crowd in America  The Economist Video | Beijing Won't Like This: Taiwan Seeks Informants Inside China - NDTVVideo | Beijing Won't Like This: Taiwan Seeks Informants Inside China  NDTV Book Review | A Story of Food, Friendship and Colonialism in Taiwan - Deccan ChronicleBook Review | A Story of Food, Friendship and Colonialism in Taiwan  Deccan Chronicle Beijing’s Bullying of Taiwan Threatens Ocean Ecology - The Diplomat – Asia-PacificBeijing’s Bullying of Taiwan Threatens Ocean Ecology  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Taiwan not 'provoking' China, hopes new U.S. arms sale package can be approved soon, President says - The HinduTaiwan not 'provoking' China, hopes new U.S. arms sale package can be approved soon, President says  The Hindu Taiwan hopes US arms sale package can be approved soon, president says - Al JazeeraTaiwan hopes US arms sale package can be approved soon, president says  Al Jazeera ‘Stupid presidents let Taiwan steal our semiconductor factories’: Trump turns his guns on Taipei — again - Firstpost‘Stupid presidents let Taiwan steal our semiconductor factories’: Trump turns his guns on Taipei — again  Firstpost Experts discover ‘The Heaven Sword’ after a decade searching Taiwan’s forests – and it’s taller than a 20-story building - BBC Wildlife MagazineExperts discover ‘The Heaven Sword’ after a decade searching Taiwan’s forests – and it’s taller than a 20-story building  BBC Wildlife Magazine China is preparing for territorial spatial planning in waters east of Taiwan island: Yuyuantantian - Global TimesChina is preparing for territorial spatial planning in waters east of Taiwan island: Yuyuantantian  Global Times How China’s navy is tightening the noose on Taiwan - MintHow China’s navy is tightening the noose on Taiwan  Mint Inspired by Ukraine, and worried by China: Taiwan teaches its citizens how to fly drones - The GuardianInspired by Ukraine, and worried by China: Taiwan teaches its citizens how to fly drones  The Guardian Grounded and Outgunned: The F-35 Readiness Crisis That Could Cost US A War for Taiwan - The Sunday GuardianGrounded and Outgunned: The F-35 Readiness Crisis That Could Cost US A War for Taiwan  The Sunday Guardian How China’s Navy Is Tightening the Noose on Taiwan - WSJHow China’s Navy Is Tightening the Noose on Taiwan  WSJ Taiwan-funded medical facility to open in Ukraine - Taipei TimesTaiwan-funded medical facility to open in Ukraine  Taipei Times China says it will take countermeasures to new Taiwan intelligence gathering site - ReutersChina says it will take countermeasures to new Taiwan intelligence gathering site  Reuters Beijing planning more surveys east of Taiwan to assert sovereignty: state media - South China Morning PostBeijing planning more surveys east of Taiwan to assert sovereignty: state media  South China Morning Post Using the stars and paddles, indigenous Taiwanese recreate risky sea journey of great Pacific migration - CNNUsing the stars and paddles, indigenous Taiwanese recreate risky sea journey of great Pacific migration  CNN Taiwan says Chinese pressure over the island is the 'new normal' - NPRTaiwan says Chinese pressure over the island is the 'new normal'  NPR China & Taiwan Update, June 18, 2026 - Institute for the Study of WarChina & Taiwan Update, June 18, 2026  Institute for the Study of War The Sculpted Penthouse in Taipei, Taiwan - e-architectThe Sculpted Penthouse in Taipei, Taiwan  e-architect Official tours Taiwan-Paraguay data center site - Taipei TimesOfficial tours Taiwan-Paraguay data center site  Taipei Times Video | West Asia War | Has Tehran Emerged Stronger? | Taiwan's China Spygame | Faultlines - NDTVVideo | West Asia War | Has Tehran Emerged Stronger? | Taiwan's China Spygame | Faultlines  NDTV Taiwan Central Bank Leaves Key Interest Rates Unchanged - WSJTaiwan Central Bank Leaves Key Interest Rates Unchanged  WSJ Study links pollution, weather to cardiovascular risk - Taipei TimesStudy links pollution, weather to cardiovascular risk  Taipei Times Most Taiwanese prioritize ties with US, Japan: survey - Taipei TimesMost Taiwanese prioritize ties with US, Japan: survey  Taipei Times Group calls for better walkable cities - Taipei TimesGroup calls for better walkable cities  Taipei Times Is China Turning Up Diplomatic Pressure Against Taiwan in Africa? - New Bloom MagazineIs China Turning Up Diplomatic Pressure Against Taiwan in Africa?  New Bloom Magazine NIMA and ViaEast DMC showcase Japan, South Korea and Taiwan as emerging MICE and leisure destinations - Travel Trade JournalNIMA and ViaEast DMC showcase Japan, South Korea and Taiwan as emerging MICE and leisure destinations  Travel Trade Journal Experts suggest soybean buyers buy local produce - Taipei TimesExperts suggest soybean buyers buy local produce  Taipei Times How a prize-winning Taiwanese novel could stoke Beijing’s worries over history - South China Morning PostHow a prize-winning Taiwanese novel could stoke Beijing’s worries over history  South China Morning Post Lithuanian President says foreign minister's tenure depends on China ties and 'commitments' to Taiwan region; remarks reveal an opportunistic mindset: Chinese expert - Global TimesLithuanian President says foreign minister's tenure depends on China ties and 'commitments' to Taiwan region; remarks reveal an opportunistic mindset: Chinese expert  Global Times Strengthening storm Mekkhala could prompt sea warning for Taiwan - Focus TaiwanStrengthening storm Mekkhala could prompt sea warning for Taiwan  Focus Taiwan Exclusive | No call with Taiwan, no new arms sales: how Trump is preparing to welcome Xi - South China Morning PostExclusive | No call with Taiwan, no new arms sales: how Trump is preparing to welcome Xi  South China Morning Post Learning through play - Taipei TimesLearning through play  Taipei Times Taiwan's Coast Guard warns off Chinese research vessel from its restricted waters - MorungExpressTaiwan's Coast Guard warns off Chinese research vessel from its restricted waters  MorungExpress Deputy Foreign Minister Chen visits Paraguay - Taiwan TodayDeputy Foreign Minister Chen visits Paraguay  Taiwan Today China’s Taiwan rehearsals - The Australian Naval InstituteChina’s Taiwan rehearsals  The Australian Naval Institute Ukrainian drone makers target Asia as Taiwan tensions spur demand - ReutersUkrainian drone makers target Asia as Taiwan tensions spur demand  Reuters CIB warns of stolen SIM cards being used in fraud - Taipei TimesCIB warns of stolen SIM cards being used in fraud  Taipei Times China prepares territorial spatial plan east of Taiwan Island - news.cgtn.comChina prepares territorial spatial plan east of Taiwan Island  news.cgtn.com Taiwan needs US weapons for self-defense as threat from China grows, diplomat tells AP - AP NewsTaiwan needs US weapons for self-defense as threat from China grows, diplomat tells AP  AP News Taiwan criticises China's 'irrelevant' World Cup viewing offer - ReutersTaiwan criticises China's 'irrelevant' World Cup viewing offer  Reuters China's atemoya purchase offer ignites trade debate in Taiwan - Focus TaiwanChina's atemoya purchase offer ignites trade debate in Taiwan  Focus Taiwan Malaysian publishing house promotes Taiwan literature to Malay readers - Focus TaiwanMalaysian publishing house promotes Taiwan literature to Malay readers  Focus Taiwan Taiwan Forms Fourth Unmanned Systems Battalion 150 km From PRC - ??????????Taiwan Forms Fourth Unmanned Systems Battalion 150 km From PRC  ?????????? First F-16V for Taiwan spotted in Texas - Taipei TimesFirst F-16V for Taiwan spotted in Texas  Taipei Times Probe uncovers defense ministry failures - Taipei TimesProbe uncovers defense ministry failures  Taipei Times Trump unlikely to speak with Taiwan's Lai, no new arms sales as US courts Xi ahead of summit - FirstpostTrump unlikely to speak with Taiwan's Lai, no new arms sales as US courts Xi ahead of summit  Firstpost China bans four New Zealand lawmakers over visit to Taiwan - Al JazeeraChina bans four New Zealand lawmakers over visit to Taiwan  Al Jazeera Tropical Storm Mekkhala forms near Guam; mercury rises in Taiwan - Focus TaiwanTropical Storm Mekkhala forms near Guam; mercury rises in Taiwan  Focus Taiwan Taiwan’s President Says He Trusts Trump to Approve Arms Sales - The New York TimesTaiwan’s President Says He Trusts Trump to Approve Arms Sales  The New York Times Why Taiwan’s Semiconductor Success Is About Much More Than TSMC - Global Taiwan InstituteWhy Taiwan’s Semiconductor Success Is About Much More Than TSMC  Global Taiwan Institute Experts urge arms expansion - Taipei TimesExperts urge arms expansion  Taipei Times Taiwan not 'provoking' China, hopes US arms sale package can be approved soon, president says - ReutersTaiwan not 'provoking' China, hopes US arms sale package can be approved soon, president says  Reuters Regional Turbulence And Cross-Strait Ties – Analysis - Eurasia ReviewRegional Turbulence And Cross-Strait Ties – Analysis  Eurasia Review Taiwan in Time: ‘No good civilians:’ The Yunlin massacre - Taipei TimesTaiwan in Time: ‘No good civilians:’ The Yunlin massacre  Taipei Times Taiwan detects heightened Chinese military activity around its territory - ANI NewsTaiwan detects heightened Chinese military activity around its territory  ANI News Concrete corrections to its erroneous Taiwan-related moves a must for Vilnius, expert says after Lithuania’s reported expectations for diplomatic outreach to China in next six months - Global TimesConcrete corrections to its erroneous Taiwan-related moves a must for Vilnius, expert says after Lithuania’s reported expectations for diplomatic outreach to China in next six months  Global Times Foreign drone certification rules push Taiwan firms toward JVs - digitimesForeign drone certification rules push Taiwan firms toward JVs  digitimes The Road to Automate 2026: Taiwan Excellence Highlights FATEK’s M Series PLC and the FATEK HMI - Embedded Computing DesignThe Road to Automate 2026: Taiwan Excellence Highlights FATEK’s M Series PLC and the FATEK HMI  Embedded Computing Design CPC to cut domestic gasoline, diesel prices next week - Focus TaiwanCPC to cut domestic gasoline, diesel prices next week  Focus Taiwan Taiwan moves to attract Filipino travelers - Taipei TimesTaiwan moves to attract Filipino travelers  Taipei Times KMT wants peace but would defend Taiwan, party chair says - Taipei TimesKMT wants peace but would defend Taiwan, party chair says  Taipei Times China has no jurisdiction over Taiwan waters, official says amid EEZ row - Taipei TimesChina has no jurisdiction over Taiwan waters, official says amid EEZ row  Taipei Times Taiwan needs US arms as China threat grows: envoy - Taipei TimesTaiwan needs US arms as China threat grows: envoy  Taipei Times Sea of red - Taipei TimesSea of red  Taipei Times Taiwan holding off PRC at sea: officials - Taipei TimesTaiwan holding off PRC at sea: officials  Taipei Times Majority reject 'one China principle,' but opposition drops: Poll - Focus TaiwanMajority reject 'one China principle,' but opposition drops: Poll  Focus Taiwan Taiwan’s tallest tree found with help of citizen science - news - MongabayTaiwan’s tallest tree found with help of citizen science  news - Mongabay Woman in cigarette butt incident accused of assault - Taipei TimesWoman in cigarette butt incident accused of assault  Taipei Times Expert flags China online poll scheme - Taipei TimesExpert flags China online poll scheme  Taipei Times Why a speech by Pursuit Of Jade’s Zhang Linghe has divided Taiwan - The Straits TimesWhy a speech by Pursuit Of Jade’s Zhang Linghe has divided Taiwan  The Straits Times China's position of opposing US arms sales to Taiwan consistent, clear: spokesperson - news.cgtn.comChina's position of opposing US arms sales to Taiwan consistent, clear: spokesperson  news.cgtn.com SASC Bill Authorizes $1.5B for Security Aid for Taiwan, the Philippines - USNI NewsSASC Bill Authorizes $1.5B for Security Aid for Taiwan, the Philippines  USNI News South Korea extends preferential tariff on Taiwan fruit imports - Taipei TimesSouth Korea extends preferential tariff on Taiwan fruit imports  Taipei Times Sync or swim - Taipei TimesSync or swim  Taipei Times The Road to Automate 2026: Taiwan Excellence Promotes Transcend’s ETD410T U.2 Enterprise SSD - Embedded Computing DesignThe Road to Automate 2026: Taiwan Excellence Promotes Transcend’s ETD410T U.2 Enterprise SSD  Embedded Computing Design TAIWAN – CHINA President Lai: Taiwan is shaping its future, Beijing must abandon its expansionism - AsiaNewsTAIWAN – CHINA President Lai: Taiwan is shaping its future, Beijing must abandon its expansionism  AsiaNews Taiwan's central bank downplays unbalanced economic growth fears - Focus TaiwanTaiwan's central bank downplays unbalanced economic growth fears  Focus Taiwan Bus drivers’ unions consider filing suit over clock glitches - Taipei TimesBus drivers’ unions consider filing suit over clock glitches  Taipei Times Expert warns of China’s escalating hybrid warfare - Taipei TimesExpert warns of China’s escalating hybrid warfare  Taipei Times Taiwan study links air pollution to spikes in cardiovascular emergencies - Focus TaiwanTaiwan study links air pollution to spikes in cardiovascular emergencies  Focus Taiwan Taiwan’s competitiveness rises to 4th place: IMD report - Taipei TimesTaiwan’s competitiveness rises to 4th place: IMD report  Taipei Times When the Davidson Window Meets the ‘Xi Window’ - The Diplomat – Asia-PacificWhen the Davidson Window Meets the ‘Xi Window’  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Fake Facebook posts linked to China election influence: Expert - Focus TaiwanFake Facebook posts linked to China election influence: Expert  Focus Taiwan Taiwan LED makers look beyond lighting to AI optical communication - digitimesTaiwan LED makers look beyond lighting to AI optical communication  digitimes Taiwan deploys vessels in response to Chinese operation - DW.comTaiwan deploys vessels in response to Chinese operation  DW.com Inside India newsletter: Why Taiwan and South Korea's stock markets have surged past India within a week - CNBCInside India newsletter: Why Taiwan and South Korea's stock markets have surged past India within a week  CNBC More in Taiwan favour goodwill to Beijing over defence ties with US, poll shows - South China Morning PostMore in Taiwan favour goodwill to Beijing over defence ties with US, poll shows  South China Morning Post Candidates get creative with food metaphors for cities - Taipei TimesCandidates get creative with food metaphors for cities  Taipei Times Will Trump abandon Taiwan? - Financial TimesWill Trump abandon Taiwan?  Financial Times China views S.Korean official’s remarks on its unchanged position regarding Taiwan positively, hopes SK to abide by one-China principle: FM - Global TimesChina views S.Korean official’s remarks on its unchanged position regarding Taiwan positively, hopes SK to abide by one-China principle: FM  Global Times Exploring Taipingshan, Taiwan's primeval mountain escape - Nikkei AsiaExploring Taipingshan, Taiwan's primeval mountain escape  Nikkei Asia Taiwan's housing transactions dip to 9-year low in 2025 - Focus TaiwanTaiwan's housing transactions dip to 9-year low in 2025  Focus Taiwan Taiwan's Lai Calls China 'Greatest Threat' Amid Japan-Philippines Maritime Talks - JAPAN ForwardTaiwan's Lai Calls China 'Greatest Threat' Amid Japan-Philippines Maritime Talks  JAPAN Forward Taiwan Test-Fires U.S.-Supplied Missile Launcher Toward China - WSJTaiwan Test-Fires U.S.-Supplied Missile Launcher Toward China  WSJ Taiwan President Pushes Back On China Pressure, Seeks Swift Approval Of US Arms Package - YahooTaiwan President Pushes Back On China Pressure, Seeks Swift Approval Of US Arms Package  Yahoo Taiwan’s opposition leader tells US and China not to use her country as ‘pawn’ - Financial TimesTaiwan’s opposition leader tells US and China not to use her country as ‘pawn’  Financial Times Taiwan’s president meets the world’s reporters - Taipei TimesTaiwan’s president meets the world’s reporters  Taipei Times Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd Stock (TSM) Opened Up by 6.86% on Jun 20: What Signal Does It Send? - TradingKeyTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd Stock (TSM) Opened Up by 6.86% on Jun 20: What Signal Does It Send?  TradingKey Taiwan central bank raises growth outlook, flags inflation concerns - ReutersTaiwan central bank raises growth outlook, flags inflation concerns  Reuters KMT would fight back should Beijing attack, Cheng says - Taipei TimesKMT would fight back should Beijing attack, Cheng says  Taipei Times