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

China Puts Export Curbs on First EU Firms Over Taiwan Arms Sales - Bloomberg.comChina Puts Export Curbs on First EU Firms Over Taiwan Arms Sales  Bloomberg.com Taiwan will not 'bow its head': FM hits out at China during visit to Eswatini - The HinduTaiwan will not 'bow its head': FM hits out at China during visit to Eswatini  The Hindu Taiwan foreign minister arrives in Eswatini after president’s trip blocked - ThePrintTaiwan foreign minister arrives in Eswatini after president’s trip blocked  ThePrint “We Will Not Bow Our Head”: Taiwan Slams China’s Overflight Blockade as It Arms Up With Anti-Ship Missiles - EurAsian Times“We Will Not Bow Our Head”: Taiwan Slams China’s Overflight Blockade as It Arms Up With Anti-Ship Missiles  EurAsian Times Winning Without Fighting? How Russia Is Shaping China’s Taiwan Playbook - orfonline.orgWinning Without Fighting? How Russia Is Shaping China’s Taiwan Playbook  orfonline.org On Taiwan Strait, Beijing’s gambit, Taipei’s gamble - The Indian ExpressOn Taiwan Strait, Beijing’s gambit, Taipei’s gamble  The Indian Express Why Nippon Taiwan Equity Fund stopped fresh investments - Value ResearchWhy Nippon Taiwan Equity Fund stopped fresh investments  Value Research Taiwan detects 7 sorties of Chinese aircraft, 9 vessels around itself - The TribuneTaiwan detects 7 sorties of Chinese aircraft, 9 vessels around itself  The Tribune Labor ministry defends plan for Indian workers - Taipei TimesLabor ministry defends plan for Indian workers  Taipei Times Leaked files expose Russia-China war machine building around Taiwan - Zee NewsLeaked files expose Russia-China war machine building around Taiwan  Zee News After Iran war, can US defend Taiwan from China? Missile stockpile crunch in focus - The Times of IndiaAfter Iran war, can US defend Taiwan from China? Missile stockpile crunch in focus  The Times of India Ex-Taiwan VP reflects on COVID-19 response, warns of 'another pandemic' | Daily Sabah - Daily SabahEx-Taiwan VP reflects on COVID-19 response, warns of 'another pandemic' | Daily Sabah  Daily Sabah Nippon India Taiwan Equity among top 5 low cost and high return funds in 3 year - The Economic TimesNippon India Taiwan Equity among top 5 low cost and high return funds in 3 year  The Economic Times Brahma Chellaney On Taiwan: Iran war altering China’s playbook - Taipei TimesBrahma Chellaney On Taiwan: Iran war altering China’s playbook  Taipei Times Taiwan's NCSIST partners with Saronic to advance autonomous maritime capabilities - digitimesTaiwan's NCSIST partners with Saronic to advance autonomous maritime capabilities  digitimes TPIsoftware Wins "Taiwan SMART 50 Award" for Its FHIR-Based Medical AI Application - PR NewswireTPIsoftware Wins "Taiwan SMART 50 Award" for Its FHIR-Based Medical AI Application  PR Newswire The role of the Bureau 9 of the Chinese MSS in monitoring Vatican activities in Taiwan - Modern DiplomacyThe role of the Bureau 9 of the Chinese MSS in monitoring Vatican activities in Taiwan  Modern Diplomacy China slaps export curbs on European firms over Taiwan arms sales - The HinduChina slaps export curbs on European firms over Taiwan arms sales  The Hindu An Agricultural Mosaic in Taiwan - NASA Science (.gov)An Agricultural Mosaic in Taiwan  NASA Science (.gov) China & Taiwan Update, April 24, 2026 - Institute for the Study of WarChina & Taiwan Update, April 24, 2026  Institute for the Study of War Taiwan’s Political Polarization Is Playing Into China’s Hands - Council on Foreign RelationsTaiwan’s Political Polarization Is Playing Into China’s Hands  Council on Foreign Relations Lai Ching-te: Taiwan president cancels trip after African countries revoke flight permits - BBCLai Ching-te: Taiwan president cancels trip after African countries revoke flight permits  BBC Taiwan’s deeper vulnerability is politics at home - Lowy InstituteTaiwan’s deeper vulnerability is politics at home  Lowy Institute How Beijing Plans to Take Taiwan — And Why It’s Not Just About Military Force - The GeopoliticsHow Beijing Plans to Take Taiwan — And Why It’s Not Just About Military Force  The Geopolitics Taiwan networking firms set for 11% Q2 growth as Wi-Fi 7 gains traction - digitimesTaiwan networking firms set for 11% Q2 growth as Wi-Fi 7 gains traction  digitimes China accused of weaponising airspace to block Taiwan president's Africa visit - The Economic TimesChina accused of weaponising airspace to block Taiwan president's Africa visit  The Economic Times Taiwan win silver and bronze at junior shooting world cup - Taipei TimesTaiwan win silver and bronze at junior shooting world cup  Taipei Times Taiwan's growing AI and industrial demand reshapes corporate power strategies - digitimesTaiwan's growing AI and industrial demand reshapes corporate power strategies  digitimes 7 best night markets in the world - The Economic Times7 best night markets in the world  The Economic Times Symposium mulls the future of Taiwan - Taipei TimesSymposium mulls the future of Taiwan  Taipei Times Taiwan Overtakes UK in Stock Market Value - Let's Data ScienceTaiwan Overtakes UK in Stock Market Value  Let's Data Science Fitch turns negative on Taiwan’s CPC - IntelliNewsFitch turns negative on Taiwan’s CPC  IntelliNews Cheng Li-wun: Taiwan opposition leader meets Xi Jinping in Beijing - BBCCheng Li-wun: Taiwan opposition leader meets Xi Jinping in Beijing  BBC FM Lin receives French senate delegation - Taiwan TodayFM Lin receives French senate delegation  Taiwan Today Taiwan’s Scooter Capital Taipei To Go Fully Electric - CleanTechnicaTaiwan’s Scooter Capital Taipei To Go Fully Electric  CleanTechnica Taiwan fears it will be ‘on the menu’ at Xi’s summit with Trump - The Japan TimesTaiwan fears it will be ‘on the menu’ at Xi’s summit with Trump  The Japan Times Taiwan foreign minister arrives in Eswatini after president's trip blocked - ReutersTaiwan foreign minister arrives in Eswatini after president's trip blocked  Reuters India Joins Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan as Agoda Highlights New Destinations with Hidden Stargazing in Asia for the Lyrid and Eta Aquariid Meteor Showers - Travel And Tour WorldIndia Joins Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan as Agoda Highlights New Destinations with Hidden Stargazing in Asia for the Lyrid and Eta Aquariid Meteor Showers  Travel And Tour World KMT cash handout act advances to second reading - Taipei TimesKMT cash handout act advances to second reading  Taipei Times Taiwan, S Korea climb global equity ranks on AI - Taipei TimesTaiwan, S Korea climb global equity ranks on AI  Taipei Times Taiwan headline news - Focus TaiwanTaiwan headline news  Focus Taiwan Hitachi Rail Advances EMU500 Technology To Offer Smoother Journeys For Taiwan Visitors - Travel And Tour WorldHitachi Rail Advances EMU500 Technology To Offer Smoother Journeys For Taiwan Visitors  Travel And Tour World Taiwan shares open sharply higher - Focus TaiwanTaiwan shares open sharply higher  Focus Taiwan Macron touches Beijing’s nerves on Taiwan and Tibet as he heads for the exit - South China Morning PostMacron touches Beijing’s nerves on Taiwan and Tibet as he heads for the exit  South China Morning Post TSMC shares jump to record high as Taiwan eases single-stock investment caps for funds - CNBCTSMC shares jump to record high as Taiwan eases single-stock investment caps for funds  CNBC Taiwan drone exports top US$100 million in Q1: MOEA - Focus TaiwanTaiwan drone exports top US$100 million in Q1: MOEA  Focus Taiwan Taiwan's MAC opposes China's bullying diplomacy after president's trip cancellation - ANI NewsTaiwan's MAC opposes China's bullying diplomacy after president's trip cancellation  ANI News Foreign spouses speak out on domestic violence in Taiwan - Focus TaiwanForeign spouses speak out on domestic violence in Taiwan  Focus Taiwan Taiex tops 40,000 points at one point Monday morning - Focus TaiwanTaiex tops 40,000 points at one point Monday morning  Focus Taiwan AI Drives Market Shift: Taiwan's TSMC (TSM) and South Korea's Sa - GuruFocusAI Drives Market Shift: Taiwan's TSMC (TSM) and South Korea's Sa  GuruFocus Taiwan Will Not 'Bow Its Head': FM Hits Out At China During Visit To Eswatini - Barron'sTaiwan Will Not 'Bow Its Head': FM Hits Out At China During Visit To Eswatini  Barron's AI Chip Surge Elevates Taiwan, Korea in Global Equity Rankings - MintAI Chip Surge Elevates Taiwan, Korea in Global Equity Rankings  Mint China bans dual-use item exports to seven European entities over Taiwan arms sales - ReutersChina bans dual-use item exports to seven European entities over Taiwan arms sales  Reuters European Lawmakers Condemn China's Influence in Taiwanese Diplomatic Flight Ban - DevdiscourseEuropean Lawmakers Condemn China's Influence in Taiwanese Diplomatic Flight Ban  Devdiscourse Notes from Central Taiwan: As Trump-Xi nears, once again, the sell out - Taipei TimesNotes from Central Taiwan: As Trump-Xi nears, once again, the sell out  Taipei Times Taiwan foreign minister reaches Eswatini after overflight row blocks president - AeroTimeTaiwan foreign minister reaches Eswatini after overflight row blocks president  AeroTime Taiwan's stock market surpasses the UK's despite having less than a quarter of the UK's economy — AI boom propels Taiwan forward, TSMC alone accounts for more than 40% of Taiwan's total market value - Tom's HardwareTaiwan's stock market surpasses the UK's despite having less than a quarter of the UK's economy — AI boom propels Taiwan forward, TSMC alone accounts for more than 40% of Taiwan's total market value  Tom's Hardware China says it will resume some ties with Taiwan after visit by opposition leader - AP NewsChina says it will resume some ties with Taiwan after visit by opposition leader  AP News Taiwan defiant as diplomatic mission overcomes airspace blockade - Investing.comTaiwan defiant as diplomatic mission overcomes airspace blockade  Investing.com Lai vows Taiwan will engage globally - Taipei TimesLai vows Taiwan will engage globally  Taipei Times Taiwan opposition leader calls for ‘reconciliation’ after meeting Xi - Al JazeeraTaiwan opposition leader calls for ‘reconciliation’ after meeting Xi  Al Jazeera India could help Taiwan reduce its reliance on China - suryaa.comIndia could help Taiwan reduce its reliance on China  suryaa.com Deputy FM Wu delivers speech in Montreal - Taiwan TodayDeputy FM Wu delivers speech in Montreal  Taiwan Today China offers incentives to Taiwan following opposition leader's visit - CNBCChina offers incentives to Taiwan following opposition leader's visit  CNBC Taiwan’s drone exports in Q1 exceed last year’s total - Taipei TimesTaiwan’s drone exports in Q1 exceed last year’s total  Taipei Times Boosted by AI, Taiwan’s March Export Orders Hit a Record High of $91.12 billion - Vision TimesBoosted by AI, Taiwan’s March Export Orders Hit a Record High of $91.12 billion  Vision Times Allies urged to deter war - Taipei TimesAllies urged to deter war  Taipei Times China offers incentives to Taiwan following opposition leader's visit - ReutersChina offers incentives to Taiwan following opposition leader's visit  Reuters Saronic To Collaborate With Korea On Asvs - Marine News MagazineSaronic To Collaborate With Korea On Asvs  Marine News Magazine Exclusive | Iran War Complicates Contingency Plans to Defend Taiwan, Some U.S. Officials Say - WSJExclusive | Iran War Complicates Contingency Plans to Defend Taiwan, Some U.S. Officials Say  WSJ Lai thanks Eswatini in video address for its support of Taiwan - Focus TaiwanLai thanks Eswatini in video address for its support of Taiwan  Focus Taiwan China Pressure Grounds Taiwan President’s Africa Trip as Flight Permits Revoked - Vision TimesChina Pressure Grounds Taiwan President’s Africa Trip as Flight Permits Revoked  Vision Times First Indian workers could arrive this year, minister says - Taipei TimesFirst Indian workers could arrive this year, minister says  Taipei Times Economic security is national security - Taipei TimesEconomic security is national security  Taipei Times Taiwan president postpones Eswatini visit and says China pressured African countries - AP NewsTaiwan president postpones Eswatini visit and says China pressured African countries  AP News STUF forum spotlights women’s empowerment and Taiwan’s global role - Taipei TimesSTUF forum spotlights women’s empowerment and Taiwan’s global role  Taipei Times The Other China Flash Point - Foreign AffairsThe Other China Flash Point  Foreign Affairs China’s Xi Jinping tells Taiwan opposition leader unification an ‘inevitability’ - Financial TimesChina’s Xi Jinping tells Taiwan opposition leader unification an ‘inevitability’  Financial Times AI chip surge pushes Taiwan, South Korea past UK in global market rankings - Investing.comAI chip surge pushes Taiwan, South Korea past UK in global market rankings  Investing.com Positioning the KMT in the U.S.–China–Taiwan Triangle: Cheng Li-wun’s Early Tenure - Asia SocietyPositioning the KMT in the U.S.–China–Taiwan Triangle: Cheng Li-wun’s Early Tenure  Asia Society Singapore moots tighter semiconductor trade ties - Taipei TimesSingapore moots tighter semiconductor trade ties  Taipei Times Fuel prices remain frozen to curb inflation pressure - Taipei TimesFuel prices remain frozen to curb inflation pressure  Taipei Times Xi tells Taiwan opposition leader people on both sides of strait are Chinese in rare meeting | China - The GuardianXi tells Taiwan opposition leader people on both sides of strait are Chinese in rare meeting | China  The Guardian China bans exports of dual-use items to 7 EU entities involved in arms sales to or collusion with Taiwan island - Global TimesChina bans exports of dual-use items to 7 EU entities involved in arms sales to or collusion with Taiwan island  Global Times On rare China visit, Taiwan’s opposition leader calls for reconciliation - Al JazeeraOn rare China visit, Taiwan’s opposition leader calls for reconciliation  Al Jazeera Taiwan Semiconductor, Walmart Lead Five Stocks Near Buy Points Without This Big Risk - Investor's Business DailyTaiwan Semiconductor, Walmart Lead Five Stocks Near Buy Points Without This Big Risk  Investor's Business Daily Taiwan opposition leader visits China for expected meeting with Xi Jinping - BBCTaiwan opposition leader visits China for expected meeting with Xi Jinping  BBC TPP says its budget process is logical - Taipei TimesTPP says its budget process is logical  Taipei Times Holding out: Japan rearms impressively, but Taiwan can’t count on it - The Strategist | ASPI's analysis and commentary siteHolding out: Japan rearms impressively, but Taiwan can’t count on it  The Strategist | ASPI's analysis and commentary site Taiwan fears it will be ‘on menu’ of Trump-Xi meet - Taipei TimesTaiwan fears it will be ‘on menu’ of Trump-Xi meet  Taipei Times China turns Taiwan’s own voices against it in information war - ReutersChina turns Taiwan’s own voices against it in information war  Reuters Concerns raised over childcare surveillance storage - Taipei TimesConcerns raised over childcare surveillance storage  Taipei Times China should abandon threats against Taiwan, US diplomat says - ReutersChina should abandon threats against Taiwan, US diplomat says  Reuters Taiwan and India Near Deal for Migrant Workers - dominotheory.comTaiwan and India Near Deal for Migrant Workers  dominotheory.com MAC condemns retired officer's China trip, backs legal changes - Focus TaiwanMAC condemns retired officer's China trip, backs legal changes  Focus Taiwan China will not tolerate independence for Taiwan, Xi tells island's opposition leader - ReutersChina will not tolerate independence for Taiwan, Xi tells island's opposition leader  Reuters Friendly Strangers: How Two Peoples Across the Taiwan Strait Are Drifting Apart - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs MagazineFriendly Strangers: How Two Peoples Across the Taiwan Strait Are Drifting Apart  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine Foreign minister arrives in Eswatini after Lai cancels trip - Focus TaiwanForeign minister arrives in Eswatini after Lai cancels trip  Focus Taiwan US weapons burn rate in Iran undermines plans to defend Taiwan: Reports - The HillUS weapons burn rate in Iran undermines plans to defend Taiwan: Reports  The Hill Lukang Old Street: Taiwan's Best-Preserved Qing Dynasty Street - AD HOC NEWSLukang Old Street: Taiwan's Best-Preserved Qing Dynasty Street  AD HOC NEWS Home hospice care subsidy to increase by 30 percent - Taipei TimesHome hospice care subsidy to increase by 30 percent  Taipei Times AI Chip Surge Elevates Taiwan, Korea in Global Equity Rankings - Bloomberg.comAI Chip Surge Elevates Taiwan, Korea in Global Equity Rankings  Bloomberg.com