Taiwan Facts and Culture

What is Taiwan famous for?

• Cultural Attributes: Great importance on the concept of "face"." "Face" roughly equates to Western concepts of status and respect. Chinese people regard... More
• Family: The Taiwanese concept of family includes childrenparentsextended familyeldersand ancestors. Taiwanese often live in small and crowded... More
• Personal Apperance: Western-Style clothing is common. A suit is the most appropriate attire for conducting business in Taiwan. In less formal situations,... More
• Recreation: Many Taiwanese enjoy golfping-pongbasketballsoccersoftballand badminton. Health clubs and gyms are used regularly. Senior men... More
• Diet: Taiwanese cuisine is diverse and influenced by various cultures such as ChineseJapaneseand indigenous Taiwanese cuisine. Here are some... More
• Food and Recipes: Mealtime customs in Taiwan: Sharing Food: One of the most important customs in Taiwanese mealtime is sharing food. Dishes are usually... More
• Visiting: First impressions are very important when dealing with Chinese people and a great deal of emphasis is placed upon the... More
• Dating: Customs and practices observed in Taiwanese society: Introduction through Friends: Many people in Taiwan prefer to meet potential partners through mutual... More

What is the capital of Taiwan?

Capital	Taipei
Government Type	semi-presidential republic
Currency	New Taiwan Dollar (TWD)
Total Area	13,892 Square Miles 35,980 Square Kilometers
Location	Eastern Asiaislands bordering the East China SeaPhilippine SeaSouth China Seaand Taiwan Straitnorth of the Philippinesoff the southeastern coast of China
Language	Chinese: Mandarin (official)Taiwanese (Min)Hakka dialects
GDP - real growth rate	2.2%
GDP - per capita (PPP)	$47,500.00 (USD)

What is the population of Taiwan?

Ethnic Groups	Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%mainland Chinese 14%aborigine 2%
Nationality Noun	Chinese/Taiwanese (singular and plural)
Population	23,603,049
Population Growth Rate	0.27%
Urban Population	0.000000

What type of government does Taiwan have?

Suffrage	20 years of age; universal; note - in March 2022the Legislative Yuan approved lowering the voting age to 18but the change will require a constitutional amendment that must be submitted to a referendum
Citizenship	citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Taiwan dual citizenship recognized: yesexcept that citizens of Taiwan are not recognized as dual citizens of the People's Republic of China residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
National Holiday	Republic Day (National Day)10 October (1911); note - celebrates the anniversary of the Chinese Revolutionalso known as Double Ten (10-10) Day
Constitution	history: previous 19121931; latest adopted 25 December 1946promulgated 1 January 1947effective 25 December 1947 amendments: proposed by at least one fourth of the Legislative Yuan membership; passage requires approval by at least three-fourths majority vote of at least three fourths of the Legislative Yuan membership and approval in a referendum by more than half of eligible voters; revised several timeslast in 2005

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What environmental issues does Taiwan have?

Overview	Named "Ihla Formosa"or Beautiful Islandby the PortugueseTaiwan is a land of contrasts. It has everything from industrial towns and cities to rural towns and spectacular mountain vistasfrom centuries old Confucian ceremonies to modern music and chaotic traffic to friendly people willing to help a stranger. Taiwan is a small island 394 kilometers (245 miles) long and 144 kilometers (89.5 miles) wide at its broadest pointand includes a number of smaller islands. Foothills and mountains covering over two thirds of the island. Yu Shan (Jade Mountain)Taiwan's highest peak at 3952 metersis taller than Japan's Mount Fuji. Taiwan is very active geologicallysitting as it does at the juncture of the Philippine and Eurasian tectonic plates. Steam vents and hot sulfur springs abound. Earthquakes are a common occurrence in Taiwan.
Climate	The Tropic of Cancer bisects the islandso the climate is sub-tropical with temperatures ranging from 12 to 35 degrees Celsius (54-95 degrees Fahrenheit). Northern Taiwan has two long seasons (summer & winter) and two short seasons (spring and autumn). Springmid-March to mid-Mayis mostly sunny and mild with brief spells of cloudy skies and rain showers. Spring's average daily temperature is 17-25C or 62-77F. Summermid-May through late Septemberis hot with an average rainfall of 10 inches a monthmostly from afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Autumnlate September to early Novemberis characterized by mild temperatures and afternoon showers. WinterNovember through mid-Aprilis characterized by low cloud drizzlefogand occasional winds. The daily temperatures range between 17 - 24 degrees C (62-75F) in Novemberdropping to 12 - 19C (54 - 66F) in January and then rising to 14 - 22C (57 - 72F) in March. Occasionallythe temperature drops below 1OC (50F)especially in mountainous areas. The typhoon season usually starts in mid-June and lasts through October. An average of 12 typhoons form in the Western Pacific each year. The average daily temperature range in Taipei is 21 - 29C (70 - 84F) in May; 24 - 35C (75 - 95F) in July and August; 23 - 33C (73 - 91F) in September; and 20 - 27C (68 - 81F) in October. Kaohsiung enjoys a milderdrier winter than Taipeibut summer temperatures average about the same. As a result of its subtropical position and heavy rainfallTaiwan's natural landscape is constantly green with varied hues of forestshrubsand coarse tropical grass. All but the peaks of the highest mountains are covered with vegetation.
Environment - Current Issues	air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissionsraw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal
Environment - International Agreements	party to: none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status
Terrain	eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west

How big is the Taiwan economy?

Economic Overview	Taiwan has a dynamic and export-oriented economy that ranks among the largest in Asia. Here is an overview of the Taiwanese economy: High-Tech Industry: Taiwan is renowned for its high-tech industryparticularly in the fields of semiconductorselectronicsand information technology. It is a global leader in the production of computer hardwareintegrated circuitsand electronic components. Taiwan's technology companiessuch as TSMC and Foxconnplay a crucial role in the global supply chain. Export-Oriented Economy: Taiwan is heavily reliant on exports and has a strong focus on international trade. Major export products include electronic componentsmachinerychemicalstextilesand plastics. The economy is highly integrated into global marketswith significant trading relationships with countries such as Chinathe United StatesJapanand Europe. SMEs and Entrepreneurship: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Taiwan's economy. The country has a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystemwith a high number of startups and innovative ventures. SMEs contribute to job creationinnovationand economic growthparticularly in sectors like technologymanufacturingand services. Strong Financial Sector: Taiwan has a well-developed financial sector that supports economic activities. The banking system is soundand there is an established stock market (Taiwan Stock Exchange) where many domestic and international companies are listed. The government has implemented policies to encourage the development of financial technology (FinTech) and digital payment systems. Economic Integration: While Taiwan is not a member of the United Nationsit maintains extensive economic ties with countries worldwide. It has signed free trade agreements (FTAs) with several nations and is an active participant in regional economic frameworkssuch as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Economic Challenges: Taiwan faces several economic challengesincluding an aging populationincome inequalityand regional geopolitical tensions. The government is implementing measures to address these challengessuch as promoting innovationinvesting in education and skills developmentand diversifying trade partners. Resilience and Adaptability: Despite challengesTaiwan's economy has demonstrated resilience and adaptability over the years. The country has successfully transitioned from labor-intensive industries to high-value manufacturing and knowledge-based sectors. Its ability to innovateinvest in research and developmentand nurture human capital has been key to its economic success.
Industries	electronicspetroleum refiningchemicalstextilesiron and steelmachinerycementfood processing
Currency Name and Code	New Taiwan Dollar (TWD)
Export Partners	China 25.3%US 20.5%Japan 9.2%
Import Partners	Japan 24.2%US 16.1%China 7.1%South Korea 6.9%

What current events are happening in Taiwan?
Source: Google News

What makes Taiwan a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

Taiwan is a stable democracy with a strong and well-developed economy. Tourist facilities are widely available.

Crime

Although the overall violent crime rate in Taiwan is lowyou should avoid high crime areasnamely areas where massage parlorsbarbershopsand nightclubs operate as covers for prostitution and are often run by criminals. In contrast to these illegal frontsordinary barbershops and other legitimate businesses prominently advertise their servicesand you can see the interiors through storefront windows. Illicit establishments generally do not advertiseand casual passersby cannot view their interiors. Several U.S. citizens have been assaulted in these establishments and in the areas near bar and nightclub districts. Taiwan’s public buses and subway are generally considered safebut passengers in taxis – particularly women - should exercise caution when traveling alone in taxis late at night. In several parts of Taiwanincidents of purse snatching by thieves on motorcycles have been reported. You should keep a photocopy of your passportother identificationand credit cards in a safe place.

Don't buy counterfeit and pirated goodseven if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United Statesbut you may also be breaking local law.

The emergency telephone number for Taiwan services (ambulancefirepolice) is 119. The number for police is 110. Victims of domestic violence or sexual assault may call 113. Taiwan Police also offers a 24 hour telephone line for foreigners in English: 0800-024-111.

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Health facilities in Taiwan are adequate for routine and emergency medical treatment. Physicians are well trained and many have studied in the United States and speak English. State of the art medical equipment is available at many clinics and hospitals. Hospitals’ nursing services provide medication dispensing and wound care but generally not the daily patient maintenance functions found in U.S. hospitals. Taiwan regulations require ambulances to have emergency equipment and supplies and to be staffed by trained medical personnel (dial 119). For information on specific clinics and hospitalsplease refer to AIT's website.

You can find good information on vaccinations and other health precautions on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747)fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299)or via the CDC’s website : http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/taiwan.htm Or Taiwan's CDC: http://www.cdc.gov.tw/mp.asp?mp=5

Safety and Security

Taiwan is a modern democracy with vibrant public participation. Political demonstrations are commonespecially around election time. Since Taiwan democratized in the early 1990sthere have been very few cases of violence associated with political demonstrations. But even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational. You should avoid areas of demonstrations if possible and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any political demonstrations. The American Citizens Services Section of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) will post notices regarding demonstrations in Taiwan on the AIT website whenever it receives reliable information about them. In most casesAIT will not send out a warden message when it has information on a planned demonstration.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

While traveling abroadyou may find that road and driving conditions are significantly different from those in the United States. The information below concerning Taiwan is provided for general reference and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Roads in Taiwan's major cities are generally congestedand the many scooters and motorcycles that weave in and out of traffic make driving conditions worse. You should exercise caution when crossing streets because many drivers do not respect the pedestrian's right of way. Be especially cautious when driving on mountain roadswhich are typically narrowwindingpoorly bankedand which may be impassable after heavy rains.