Taiwan

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 eventual unification - as well as domestic political and economic reform.

Languages & Population

Approximate Population: 22,858,872

Nationality (Noun): Taiwan (singular and plural)

Nationality (Adjective): Taiwan

Official Language(s): Mandarin

Major Languages Spoken: Mandarin

Country Facts

Country Name (long form): none

Country Name (short form): Taiwan

Country Name (local long form): none

Country Name (local short form): T'ai-wan

Name of Capital: Taipei

UTC Time Difference (from capital): UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Countries Near by, and Bordering Taiwan: China

Land Area: 32260 sq km

Water Area: 3720 sq km

Comparative Area: slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined

Coastline: 1,566.3 km

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

International Phone Code: 886

Currency Code: new Taiwan dollar (TWD)

Internet Country Code: .tw

US Embassy Location: none

US Embassy Mailing Address: none