About Taiwan
There are many aspects to the culture of Taiwan, from Traditional Values to Religious Customs, you can find an intriguing and yet exciting combustion of Western, Chinese and Japanese cultures in the beautiful Formosa.
Taiwan, Republic of China
FACT SHEET
- Location East Asia (West of the Pacific Ocean)
- Geographical Environment Mountainous, Island (Surrounded by the sea)
- Area 35,882.6258 km²
- Capital City Taipei
- Most Populated City Taipei
- Largest City New Taipei City
- Official Language Mandarin Chinese
- Official Script Traditional Chinese
- Population Around 23 million
- Ethnic Groups Taiwanese (Han Chinese, Hakka, aborigine)
- Examples of Famous Taiwanese Ang Lee (director), Shu Qi (actress), Teresa Teng (singer), Jay Chou (singer, actor, director), Ma YoYo (cellist), Jeremy Lin (basketball player), Stan Shih (co-founder of Acer), Jerry Yang (co-founder of Yahoo!), Jason Wu (fashion designer)
- Economy Ranked 22nd internationally
- Currency New Taiwan Dollar (TWD)
- Time Zone UTC+8
- Country Calling Code +886
- Drives on the Right
Widely known for its reputation as the “Ilha Formosa” (Portuguese for “beautiful island”), Taiwan is a place of the perfect balance between traditional values and modernity. Before you decide where to go for your study, it is important for you to learn more about your different choices for you
HISTORY
Located at the margin of East Asia just meeting the west of the Pacific Ocean, the beautiful island of Taiwan was originally home to Taiwanese aborigines before the 17th Century, from which colonial empires in China caused mass immigration for the Han Chinese people into the island of Taiwan. Since then, Taiwan went under the ruling of various empires including the Kingdom of Tungning, the Chinese Qing Dynasty and Japan. The Republic of China, which was founded in China after the fall of the Qing Dynasty, took control of Taiwan in 1945 after the surrender of the Japan in World War II. After which, the Chinese Civil War broke out, and the ROC government was forced to flee to Taiwan after losing to the Communist party, and that remains to be the current political situation of Taiwan up till today.
FAMOUS ATTRACTIONS
What is Taiwan most famous for? Ask any Taiwanese, and he or she would probably come up with the same set of answers: Hospitality of the People, Night Markets, Food, Excellence in Teaching, etc. Here are a few examples of world-famous attractions in Taiwan.
Love River, Kaohsiung
Known as the ‘River Thames of Kaohsiung’. Well-known for its ferry rides and the glamorous night-view.
Shilin Night Market
One of the most well-known and largest night markets in Taiwan. Famous for the local snack stalls and kiosks.
Taipei 101
Built in 2004, Taipei 101 is the tallest and largest green building in the world.
Ximending
Known as the ‘Shibuya of Taiwan’, it is one of the most popular shopping districts in Taiwan.
Ximending
National monument in memory of Chiang Kai-Shek, former President of Taiwan R.O.C. , and remains as a national landmark of Taiwan.
National Palace Museum
With one of the largest permanent collection of nearly 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese imperial artifacts and artworks, the Musuem is an ideal place for tourists to learn about the ancient Chinese history.
FRIENDLINESS OF THE PEOPLE
“The most beautiful scenery of Taiwan is the People” – New Weekly magazine
Residents of this beautiful Formosa are famous for their friendliness and hospitality. In Taiwan, you can find people willing to chat and help you out when you are in need for directions or any other problems. Action speaks louder than words, it is better for you to come and experience the friendliness of the Taiwanese people yourself!
GEOGRAPHY & WEATHER
The shape of the island of Taiwan resembles that of a sweet potato oriented in a south-to-north direction, that is why some Taiwanese find joy in calling themselves “children of the sweet potato”. With nearly two-thirds of the area being mountain areas, the island of Taiwan consists of five major mountain ranges. There are several high peaks in Taiwan, the highest of which being Yu-Shan (12, 966 ft.), making Taiwan the fourth-highest-island in the world, and is also the reason why Taiwanese residents generally enjoy hiking as a popular sport or for leisure. Based on an active tectonic boundary, Taiwan experiences occasional earthquakes from time to time. Governed by the East Asian Monsoon, the climate of Taiwan ranges from tropical to subtropical from South Taiwan to the North. The island of Taiwan is often under the threat of several typhoons during summertime.
Famous Schools in Taiwan:
National Taiwan University (ranked 76 globally), National Tsing Hua University (ranked 161 globally), National Chiao Tung University (ranked 207 globally), etc.