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

Taiwan attacker planned assault that killed 3 and injured 11, authorities say - The Hindu Taiwan attacker planned assault that killed 3 and injured 11, authorities say  The Hindu 3 Killed In Smoke Grenade, Knife Attack In Taiwan Metro Stations  NDTV At least four people killed in mass stabbing in Taipei  The Guardian China expresses opposition to U.S. interference in Taiwan affairs - news.cgtn.comChina expresses opposition to U.S. interference in Taiwan affairs  news.cgtn.com China urges U.S. to immediately stop arming China's Taiwan region - news.cgtn.comChina urges U.S. to immediately stop arming China's Taiwan region  news.cgtn.com Can India catch up with the US, Taiwan and China in the global chip race? - Al JazeeraCan India catch up with the US, Taiwan and China in the global chip race?  Al Jazeera Taiwan opposition lawmakers announce plan to impeach Lai Ching-te amid seething public resentment - Global TimesTaiwan opposition lawmakers announce plan to impeach Lai Ching-te amid seething public resentment  Global Times Taiwan detects 6 Chinese aircraft, 11 vessels, 1 ship - Tribune IndiaTaiwan detects 6 Chinese aircraft, 11 vessels, 1 ship  Tribune India Taiwan Is in the Middle of a Constitutional Crisis - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs MagazineTaiwan Is in the Middle of a Constitutional Crisis  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine Taiwan to Penalise Public Calls for Military Takeover - WIONTaiwan to Penalise Public Calls for Military Takeover  WION Who’s the ‘Self’ in Collective Self-defence under International Law? About Japanese PM Takaichi’s Comments Regarding an Attack on Taiwan - EJIL: Talk!Who’s the ‘Self’ in Collective Self-defence under International Law? About Japanese PM Takaichi’s Comments Regarding an Attack on Taiwan  EJIL: Talk! Taiwan shares lower at close of trade; Taiwan Weighted down 0.04% - Investing.com IndiaTaiwan shares lower at close of trade; Taiwan Weighted down 0.04%  Investing.com India “Threatened To Sink” In Taiwan War, China’s Newest Aircraft Carrier Fujian Transits Taiwan Strait Defiantly - EurAsian Times“Threatened To Sink” In Taiwan War, China’s Newest Aircraft Carrier Fujian Transits Taiwan Strait Defiantly  EurAsian Times Samsung under pressure after alleged DRAM and NAND bribery claims in Taiwan - VideoCardz.comSamsung under pressure after alleged DRAM and NAND bribery claims in Taiwan  VideoCardz.com China, Japan, and the Taiwan Threshold - orfonline.orgChina, Japan, and the Taiwan Threshold  orfonline.org Taiwan metro attacks leave 3 killed, several injured - dw.comTaiwan metro attacks leave 3 killed, several injured  dw.com Taiwan’s Subway Stabber Planned His Deadly Spree, Police Say - The New York TimesTaiwan’s Subway Stabber Planned His Deadly Spree, Police Say  The New York Times Taiwan: Knife attacker kills three after smoke bombing Taipei metro - BBCTaiwan: Knife attacker kills three after smoke bombing Taipei metro  BBC Leveraging Taiwan: India’s strategic counterbalance to China - Lowy InstituteLeveraging Taiwan: India’s strategic counterbalance to China  Lowy Institute Taiwan: Two killed in smoke grenade, knife attacks at Taipei metro stations; suspect also dead - Times of IndiaTaiwan: Two killed in smoke grenade, knife attacks at Taipei metro stations; suspect also dead  Times of India Ministry shows Taiwan’s art, culture across Europe - Taipei TimesMinistry shows Taiwan’s art, culture across Europe  Taipei Times US approves $11bn arms sale to Taiwan - Financial TimesUS approves $11bn arms sale to Taiwan  Financial Times Taiwan attacker kills 3, injures 11 in ‘planned’ assault - News Arena IndiaTaiwan attacker kills 3, injures 11 in ‘planned’ assault  News Arena India Deadly knife rampage in Taiwan’s capital kills at least three people - NBC NewsDeadly knife rampage in Taiwan’s capital kills at least three people  NBC News China & Taiwan Update, December 19, 2025 - Institute for the Study of WarChina & Taiwan Update, December 19, 2025  Institute for the Study of War Taiwan: Several injured in attacks at metro stations - dw.comTaiwan: Several injured in attacks at metro stations  dw.com US announces $11bn weapons sale to Taiwan - BBCUS announces $11bn weapons sale to Taiwan  BBC Three killed in Taipei stabbing, smoke bomb attack - Al JazeeraThree killed in Taipei stabbing, smoke bomb attack  Al Jazeera Three Killed in Stabbing Attack in Taiwan - The New York TimesThree Killed in Stabbing Attack in Taiwan  The New York Times ANALYSIS:US blockade of Venezuela could hurt Taiwan - Taipei TimesANALYSIS:US blockade of Venezuela could hurt Taiwan  Taipei Times Taiwan attacker planned assault that killed 3 and injured 11, authorities say - NBC NewsTaiwan attacker planned assault that killed 3 and injured 11, authorities say  NBC News ‘Better off with Taiwan’: Honduras joins other Latin American countries rethinking ties with China - The Guardian‘Better off with Taiwan’: Honduras joins other Latin American countries rethinking ties with China  The Guardian Taiwan eyes orbital rocket by 2034, inspired by South Korea's success - digitimesTaiwan eyes orbital rocket by 2034, inspired by South Korea's success  digitimes Video: Moment when Taiwan attacker unleashed smoke bombs, went on killing spree - India TodayVideo: Moment when Taiwan attacker unleashed smoke bombs, went on killing spree  India Today China says U.S. will only 'harm itself' after Washington approves $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan - CNBCChina says U.S. will only 'harm itself' after Washington approves $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan  CNBC US announces more than $10bn of arms sales to Taiwan - The GuardianUS announces more than $10bn of arms sales to Taiwan  The Guardian Wild Stabbing & Arson Attacks Shake Taipei; Taiwan President Orders Massive Crackdown - Times of IndiaWild Stabbing & Arson Attacks Shake Taipei; Taiwan President Orders Massive Crackdown  Times of India Rockets, howitzers and suicide drones: US and Taiwan announce one of their biggest-ever arms deals - CNNRockets, howitzers and suicide drones: US and Taiwan announce one of their biggest-ever arms deals  CNN Taiwan’s missile shield plan has ‘critical flaws’, mainland Chinese report says - South China Morning PostTaiwan’s missile shield plan has ‘critical flaws’, mainland Chinese report says  South China Morning Post Taiwan: Knife Attacker Kills Three, Injures Nine in Taipei Metro Rampage - WIONTaiwan: Knife Attacker Kills Three, Injures Nine in Taipei Metro Rampage  WION Moment When Taiwan Attacker Unleashed Smoke Bombs, Went On Killing Spree - NDTVMoment When Taiwan Attacker Unleashed Smoke Bombs, Went On Killing Spree  NDTV U.S. Approves $11 Billion in Arms Sales to Taiwan, Angering Beijing - The Wall Street JournalU.S. Approves $11 Billion in Arms Sales to Taiwan, Angering Beijing  The Wall Street Journal Explainer: Taiwan's political deadlock and the potential for new elections - ReutersExplainer: Taiwan's political deadlock and the potential for new elections  Reuters Beijing pressures Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic partners. Here's what the US should do in response - Atlantic CouncilBeijing pressures Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic partners. Here's what the US should do in response  Atlantic Council Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu all parts of China: spokesperson slams DPP's claim of mainland coast guard patrols in ‘restricted waters’ - Global TimesTaiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu all parts of China: spokesperson slams DPP's claim of mainland coast guard patrols in ‘restricted waters’  Global Times US greenlights massive, $11 billion military arms package to Taiwan - Breaking DefenseUS greenlights massive, $11 billion military arms package to Taiwan  Breaking Defense China Threatens 'forceful Measures' Over US Weapons Sales Package To Taiwan - Iran Front Page - Iran Front Page - IFP NewsChina Threatens 'forceful Measures' Over US Weapons Sales Package To Taiwan - Iran Front Page  Iran Front Page - IFP News Snow falls on Taiwan's tallest mountain - Focus TaiwanSnow falls on Taiwan's tallest mountain  Focus Taiwan Taiwan Constitutional Court resumes operation amidst constitutive quorum controversies - Jurist.orgTaiwan Constitutional Court resumes operation amidst constitutive quorum controversies  Jurist.org Foxtron Acquisition News Today: Foxconn’s Major Move in Taiwan’s Auto- - MeykaFoxtron Acquisition News Today: Foxconn’s Major Move in Taiwan’s Auto-  Meyka Taipei mass stabbing likely 'lone wolf' attack: Police - Focus TaiwanTaipei mass stabbing likely 'lone wolf' attack: Police  Focus Taiwan CDC makes HIV warning after Taipei knife attack - Focus TaiwanCDC makes HIV warning after Taipei knife attack  Focus Taiwan US affirms Taiwan commitments - Taipei TimesUS affirms Taiwan commitments  Taipei Times 'Return' to China not an option for Taiwan's people, Premier says - The Hindu'Return' to China not an option for Taiwan's people, Premier says  The Hindu Police seize suspect's laptop, old cellphone after Taipei stabbing spree - Focus TaiwanPolice seize suspect's laptop, old cellphone after Taipei stabbing spree  Focus Taiwan 4 People Dead, 9 Injured After Mass Stabbing Attack and Smoke Bombing at Train Station - People.com4 People Dead, 9 Injured After Mass Stabbing Attack and Smoke Bombing at Train Station  People.com Taiwan deadly knife attack captured on bystander video - NBC NewsTaiwan deadly knife attack captured on bystander video  NBC News Taiwan Affairs spokesperson warns against aggression toward mainland fisherman - China DailyTaiwan Affairs spokesperson warns against aggression toward mainland fisherman  China Daily Knife attacker kills three after smoke bombing Taiwan metro - France 24Knife attacker kills three after smoke bombing Taiwan metro  France 24 How Trump's Venezuela embargo could put Taiwan at risk - ReutersHow Trump's Venezuela embargo could put Taiwan at risk  Reuters China tells US to 'immediately' stop arming Taiwan after Washington approves arms package - France 24China tells US to 'immediately' stop arming Taiwan after Washington approves arms package  France 24 What’s in the U.S. weapons package for Taiwan and why China is angry - PBSWhat’s in the U.S. weapons package for Taiwan and why China is angry  PBS Taipei designers on the rise – meet emerging talents carving a unique path - wallpaper.comTaipei designers on the rise – meet emerging talents carving a unique path  wallpaper.com KMT, TPP vow to impeach President Lai - Focus TaiwanKMT, TPP vow to impeach President Lai  Focus Taiwan Opinion | Taiwan intervention may just spell the end of the West - South China Morning PostOpinion | Taiwan intervention may just spell the end of the West  South China Morning Post Europe’s Taiwan Dilemma - RealClearDefenseEurope’s Taiwan Dilemma  RealClearDefense 3 killed in Taiwan knife attack, with the suspect later falling to his death from a department store - AP News3 killed in Taiwan knife attack, with the suspect later falling to his death from a department store  AP News Deputy FM Wu tells AFP advanced chip production to stay in Taiwan - Taiwan TodayDeputy FM Wu tells AFP advanced chip production to stay in Taiwan  Taiwan Today China warns foreign interference in Taiwan will be ‘crushed’ - Al JazeeraChina warns foreign interference in Taiwan will be ‘crushed’  Al Jazeera China’s New ‘Two-Front Strategy’ Against Japan and Taiwan - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs MagazineChina’s New ‘Two-Front Strategy’ Against Japan and Taiwan  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine US announces $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, largest ever - ReutersUS announces $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, largest ever  Reuters Knife-wielding attacker kills 3 in Taiwan, hurls smoke bombs at train station - India TodayKnife-wielding attacker kills 3 in Taiwan, hurls smoke bombs at train station  India Today 3 killed in Taiwan knife and smoke grenade attack - South China Morning Post3 killed in Taiwan knife and smoke grenade attack  South China Morning Post Fatalities from Taipei random attacks rise to three, six hospitalized - Focus TaiwanFatalities from Taipei random attacks rise to three, six hospitalized  Focus Taiwan China threatens 'forceful measures' over $11.1 billion US arms sales package to Taiwan - France 24China threatens 'forceful measures' over $11.1 billion US arms sales package to Taiwan  France 24 Taiwan in India’s Strategic Perspective - Geopolitical MonitorTaiwan in India’s Strategic Perspective  Geopolitical Monitor How the Next Taiwan Crisis Will Be Different - Council on Foreign RelationsHow the Next Taiwan Crisis Will Be Different  Council on Foreign Relations The Taiwan test: Why Europe should help deter China - European Council on Foreign RelationsThe Taiwan test: Why Europe should help deter China  European Council on Foreign Relations Taiwan President Vows Full Inquiry into Deadly Metro Attack - CambodianessTaiwan President Vows Full Inquiry into Deadly Metro Attack  Cambodianess See How a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan Could Unfold - The Wall Street JournalSee How a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan Could Unfold  The Wall Street Journal Taiwan plans extra $40bn in defence spending to counter China’s ‘intensifying’ threats - The GuardianTaiwan plans extra $40bn in defence spending to counter China’s ‘intensifying’ threats  The Guardian Trump Officials Announce More Than $11 Billion in Arms Sales for Taiwan - The New York TimesTrump Officials Announce More Than $11 Billion in Arms Sales for Taiwan  The New York Times MOFA urges Interpol to include Taiwan - Taiwan TodayMOFA urges Interpol to include Taiwan  Taiwan Today US announces USD11 billion military sales package for Taiwan - JanesUS announces USD11 billion military sales package for Taiwan  Janes Taiwan bans one of China’s most popular social media apps - Financial TimesTaiwan bans one of China’s most popular social media apps  Financial Times MOFA thanks POTUS for signing Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act - Taiwan TodayMOFA thanks POTUS for signing Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act  Taiwan Today Opposition lawmakers propose Control Yuan impeach premier over fiscal law - Focus TaiwanOpposition lawmakers propose Control Yuan impeach premier over fiscal law  Focus Taiwan China Points to Risk of Clash With US After Taiwan Arms Package - Bloomberg.comChina Points to Risk of Clash With US After Taiwan Arms Package  Bloomberg.com Smoke, knife and chaos: Deadly Taipei metro attack shatters Taiwan’s sense of safety - connectedtoindia.comSmoke, knife and chaos: Deadly Taipei metro attack shatters Taiwan’s sense of safety  connectedtoindia.com South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam show that economic statecraft is not just the preserve of great powers - The ConversationSouth Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam show that economic statecraft is not just the preserve of great powers  The Conversation Taiwan’s opposition lawmakers vow to impeach leader William Lai - South China Morning PostTaiwan’s opposition lawmakers vow to impeach leader William Lai  South China Morning Post US Arms Sales to Taiwan Signal Policy Continuity - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs MagazineUS Arms Sales to Taiwan Signal Policy Continuity  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine Furious China vows to step up Taiwan invasion drills in response to US arms package - The IndependentFurious China vows to step up Taiwan invasion drills in response to US arms package  The Independent Three Killed in Knife Assault in Taiwan’s Capital - Khaama PressThree Killed in Knife Assault in Taiwan’s Capital  Khaama Press China’s Xi Jinping raises future of Taiwan in call with Donald Trump - The GuardianChina’s Xi Jinping raises future of Taiwan in call with Donald Trump  The Guardian US announces massive package of arms sales to Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion, angering China - AP NewsUS announces massive package of arms sales to Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion, angering China  AP News Taiwan Showcases World-Class, Future-Proof Shipping System - thephilbiznewsTaiwan Showcases World-Class, Future-Proof Shipping System  thephilbiznews Heaven and Earth Book Club: The Boy from Clearwater - Taiwan InsightHeaven and Earth Book Club: The Boy from Clearwater  Taiwan Insight Taiwan considers TSMC export ban that would prevent manufacturing its newest chip nodes in U.S. — limit exports to two generations behind leading-edge nodes, could slow down U.S. expansion - Tom's HardwareTaiwan considers TSMC export ban that would prevent manufacturing its newest chip nodes in U.S. — limit exports to two generations behind leading-edge nodes, could slow down U.S. expansion  Tom's Hardware U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan Signal Policy Continuity - RealClearDefenseU.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan Signal Policy Continuity  RealClearDefense U.S. Announces Largest-Ever Arms Deal With Taiwan - Foreign PolicyU.S. Announces Largest-Ever Arms Deal With Taiwan  Foreign Policy Suspect in Taipei attacks that left 2 dead, 7 injured jumps to death - Focus TaiwanSuspect in Taipei attacks that left 2 dead, 7 injured jumps to death  Focus Taiwan Taiwan Constitutional Court Drops Hammer on Brewing Political Crisis - dominotheory.comTaiwan Constitutional Court Drops Hammer on Brewing Political Crisis  dominotheory.com China spat with Japan on Taiwan deepens, reaches UN: What’s it all about? - Al JazeeraChina spat with Japan on Taiwan deepens, reaches UN: What’s it all about?  Al Jazeera