Taiwan
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At a glance
- Region
- Eastern Asia
- Capital
- Taipei
- Population
- 23.4 million (2024)
- Area
- 36,193 km²
- Languages
- Chinese
- Currency
- New Taiwan dollar (TWD)
- Drives on the
- right
- Calling code
- +886
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Before you go
Overview
Its official name is the Republic of China and is located in East Asia.
Taiwan recorded a population of 23.78 million in 2018 and covers an area of 36,193 km2.
The capital and the most populated city is Taipei, home for the Taipei 101 that is amongst the tallest green buildings in the world used for commercial purposes.
Another most recognized city in the country is the Kaohsiung city, which is a large port city with many skyscrapers like the Tuntex 85 storey Sky Tower. Within the city is Love River that has walking paths and cafes beside it and cruise boats sailing on it.
The Capital, Taipei.
History
China was defeated by the Japanese in the 1895 war and surrendered the region of Taiwan to Japan. After the Second World War, the Japanese were defeated and surrendered it back to China.
Taiwan became a state in 1912.
Food & culture
The culture is mixed with Taiwan heritage and Chinese heritage.
The crops grown in the country include rice, bananas, soybeans, wheat, peanuts, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, tea, pineapples, citrus fruits and asparagus.
The common food is beef noodles, minced pork rice, chicken cutlet and oyster pancake.
Wildlife
The most common wildlife animals include wild boars, leopard cats, black bears, mice bats, weasels and tigers.
Festivals & events
One of the most notable events is the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival when people gather to write their wishes of the year on lanterns and flee them to the sky.
There is also the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival is a 15 days festival.
There is also the Jinshan Fire Fishing Festival is a fishing festival during the night in Jinshan.
Things to see
Taroko National Park, Yangmingshan National Park, Yushan National Park and Kenting National Park are home to a wide variety of wildlife species.
Kinmen Islands is a beautiful place to visit located off the southeast coast of the mainland.
Lukang Township has traditional architecture such as red bricks streets. The grand Lukang Longshan Temple has king Dynasty carvings.
National Palace Museum preserves ancient Chinese artefacts and art.
Eastern coastline at Shih-t’i-p’ing (Shitiping)
Interesting facts
It has the fastest internet in the world.
The major religions are Buddhism, Daoism, Christianity and Yiguan.
The official language is Mandarin Chinese.
Neighbours
Taiwan has no land borders with other countries.
My Bucket List goals in Taiwan
None on the list yet. Got a suggestion? Email Dan.