Taiwan

1683 – Qing Dynasty annexes Taiwan

1895 – Treaty of Shimonoseki; Taiwan ceded to Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War

1945 – Taiwan is handed over to the Republic of China after Japan’s defeat in World War II

1947 – 228 Incident, a violent crackdown on Taiwanese civilians by the Republic of China

1949 – After the Chinese Civil War, the Republic of China government retreats to Taiwan, while the People’s Republic of China is established on the mainland

1971 – Taiwan loses its seat in the United Nations to the People’s Republic of China

1987 – Martial law lifted in Taiwan, and the island begins democratic reforms

1992 – The “1992 Consensus” framework for relations with the mainland established

2000 – The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) wins the presidency for the first time, ending the Kuomintang’s 50-year rule

2016 – Tsai Ing-wen elected president, marking Taiwan’s shift to a more pro-independence government

2024 – Taiwan’s ongoing relationship with China remains a critical geopolitical issue, with significant international attention

Notable Natural Disasters:

1999 – 1999 Jiji earthquake (September 21, 1999), magnitude 7.6, 2,415 deaths

2009 – Typhoon Morakot (August 2009), massive flooding and landslides, 700+ deaths

2016 – 2016 Kaohsiung earthquake (February 6, 2016), magnitude 6.4, 116 deaths

2022 – Typhoon Hinnamnor (September 2022), heavy rains and flooding in southern Taiwan

Continent: Asia
Location: East Asia
Capital: Taipei
Language: Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka
Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (NT$)
Population: ~23.5 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Taiwan Standard Time (TST)

Borders: None (Taiwan is an island, but its sovereignty is disputed by China)

Landscape: Mountainous in the eastern part, with plains and coastal areas in the west

Islands: Taiwan, Orchid Island, Green Island, Diaoyu Islands (disputed)

Major Rivers: Tamsui River, Zhuoshui River, Kaoping River

Major Mountains: Central Mountain Range, Yushan (Jade Mountain)

Deserts: None

Lakes: Sun Moon Lake

Volcanoes: Mount Hehuan, Mount Tatun (active volcano)

Highest Point: Yushan (3,952 meters)

Lowest Point: Taiwan Strait (-10 meters)

Climate: Tropical in the south, subtropical in the north

Geological Features: Taiwan lies at the junction of two tectonic plates, making it prone to earthquakes. The island experiences frequent seismic activity and typhoons.

Ethnic Groups: Han Chinese (majority), Indigenous Taiwanese (e.g., Amis, Atayal, Paiwan), Hakka

Religion: Majority of Taiwanese practice Buddhism, Taoism, and Christianity, with a significant portion practicing folk religions

Urban Population: ~78% (last updated: 2023)

Aging Population: ~14% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Traditional Chinese culture, tea culture, night markets, high-tech industry, Taipei 101, calligraphy

Cuisine: Bubble tea, beef noodle soup, dumplings, stinky tofu, pineapple cake

Arts: Traditional Chinese opera, puppet theater, calligraphy, contemporary art

Sports: Baseball, basketball, table tennis, badminton

Festivals: Chinese New Year, Lantern Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, Dragon Boat Festival

Economy Type: Advanced, export-oriented economy

GDP: Approx. $850 billion USD (last updated: 2024)

Major Industries: Electronics (semiconductors), petrochemicals, machinery, textiles, steel, food processing

Key Exports: Semiconductor devices, electronics, machinery, plastics, optical and photographic equipment

Unemployment Rate: ~3.7% (last updated: 2024)

Economic Regions: Predominantly industrialized in the west, with the majority of the population residing in coastal cities like Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung

Government Type: Multi-party democratic republic

Head of State: President Tsai Ing-wen (last updated: April 2025)

Head of Government: Premier Chen Chien-jen (last updated: April 2025)

Legislature: Unicameral (Legislative Yuan)

Constitution: In effect since 1947, with significant amendments

Taipei 101

Taroko Gorge in Taroko National Park

Sun Moon Lake

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei

National Palace Museum

Alishan National Scenic Area

Kenting National Park

Lukang Old Town