Welcome toWelcome to Taiwan Taiwan

Also known as Also known as

““Formosa"Formosa"

which means “Beautiful which means “Beautiful Island”Island”

National flagNational flag

Officially adopted on 28 October ,1928,Officially adopted on 28 October ,1928,also known as “white sun in blue sky”also known as “white sun in blue sky”

An island in East AsiaAn island in East Asia

HistoryHistory Evidence of human settlement in Taiwan Evidence of human settlement in Taiwan

dates back thirty thousand yearsdates back thirty thousand years About four thousand years ago, ancestors About four thousand years ago, ancestors

of current Taiwanese aborigines settled in of current Taiwanese aborigines settled in Taiwan. These aborigines are genetically Taiwan. These aborigines are genetically related to Malay and Polynesians and related to Malay and Polynesians and linguists classify their languages as linguists classify their languages as AustronesianAustronesian. .

GeographyGeography Location:Location: East Asia off the coastEast Asia off the coast

of mainland Chinaof mainland China

southwest of the main southwest of the main

islands of Japanislands of Japan

north-northwest of thenorth-northwest of the

Philippines. Philippines.

Contd….Contd….AreaArea 35,801 km square( 13,822.8 sq mi ) 35,801 km square( 13,822.8 sq mi )

Capital Capital Taipei (pop. 2.6 million). Taipei (pop. 2.6 million).

TerrainTerrain Two thirds of the island is largely mountainous with 100 Two thirds of the island is largely mountainous with 100 peaks over 3,000 meters (9,843 ft.)peaks over 3,000 meters (9,843 ft.)

Highest pointHighest point Yu Shan-3952 m (2.5 mi). Yu Shan-3952 m (2.5 mi).This makes itThis makes it the the world'sworld's seventh largest island.seventh largest island.

PopulationPopulation approx. 23 million (as of 2005) approx. 23 million (as of 2005) 98% Han Chinese98% Han Chinese 84% Taiwanese84% Taiwanese

ClimateClimate Taiwan's climate is marine tropical.Taiwan's climate is marine tropical. The Northern part of the island has The Northern part of the island has

rainy season that lasts from Januaryrainy season that lasts from January

to late March during the southwest to late March during the southwest

monsoon, and also experiences monsoon, and also experiences meiyumeiyu

in May.in May. The entire island succumbs to hot humidThe entire island succumbs to hot humid

weather from June until September,weather from June until September,

while October to December are arguablywhile October to December are arguably

the most pleasant times of year. the most pleasant times of year.

ReligionReligion Over 93% of Taiwanese are adherents of a combination of Over 93% of Taiwanese are adherents of a combination of

Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism.Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism.

4.5% are adherents of Christianity which includes 4.5% are adherents of Christianity which includes Protestants, Catholics, Mormons, and other non-Protestants, Catholics, Mormons, and other non-denominational Christian groups.denominational Christian groups.

2.5% are adherents of other religions, such as Islam. 2.5% are adherents of other religions, such as Islam. Taiwanese aborigines comprise a notable subgroup among Taiwanese aborigines comprise a notable subgroup among professing Christians. Over 64 percent identify as professing Christians. Over 64 percent identify as

ChristianChristian..

CultureCulture Taiwan's culture is a blend of its distinctive Chinese, Taiwan's culture is a blend of its distinctive Chinese,

Japanese, and Western influences. Fine arts, folk Japanese, and Western influences. Fine arts, folk traditions, and popular culture embody traditional and traditions, and popular culture embody traditional and modern, Asian, and Western motifs.modern, Asian, and Western motifs.

Popular sports in Taiwan include basketball and baseball. Popular sports in Taiwan include basketball and baseball.

Cheerleading performances and billiard are quite Cheerleading performances and billiard are quite fashionable. Badminton is also common.fashionable. Badminton is also common.

Karaoke, drawn from contemporary Japanese culture, is Karaoke, drawn from contemporary Japanese culture, is extremely popular in Taiwan, where it is known as KTVextremely popular in Taiwan, where it is known as KTV..

Snap shotsSnap shots

Environment and Environment and PollutionPollution

High population density High population density Some areas in Taiwan suffer from heavy Some areas in Taiwan suffer from heavy

pollution. Most notable are the southern suburbs pollution. Most notable are the southern suburbs of Taipei and the western stretch from Tainan to of Taipei and the western stretch from Tainan to Lin Yuan, south of Kaohsiung. Lin Yuan, south of Kaohsiung.

Taipei suffered from extensive vehicle and factory Taipei suffered from extensive vehicle and factory air pollutionair pollution

EconomyEconomy GDP - real growth rate: 4.6% (2006)GDP - real growth rate: 4.6% (2006) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $29500 (2006 GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $29500 (2006

est.)est.) GDP - composition by sector:GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 1.5%agriculture: 1.5%industry: 25.2%industry: 25.2%services: 73.3% (2006)services: 73.3% (2006)

Population below poverty line: 0.9% (2005 est.)Population below poverty line: 0.9% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.2% (2005 est.)Unemployment rate: 4.2% (2005 est.) Budget:Budget:

revenues: $41.67 billionrevenues: $41.67 billionexpenditures: $50.26 billion, including capital expenditures expenditures: $50.26 billion, including capital expenditures of $14.4 billion (2005 est.)of $14.4 billion (2005 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.3% (2005 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.3% (2005 est.)

AgricultureAgriculture Comprises about 2.69% of Taiwan's GDPComprises about 2.69% of Taiwan's GDP Taiwan's main crops are rice, sugarcane, fruit, Taiwan's main crops are rice, sugarcane, fruit,

and vegetablesand vegetables Largely self-sufficient in rice production Largely self-sufficient in rice production Taiwan imports large amounts of wheat, corn, and Taiwan imports large amounts of wheat, corn, and

soybeans, mostly from the United States.soybeans, mostly from the United States.

Political aspectsPolitical aspects The controversy over the political status of the Republic of The controversy over the political status of the Republic of

China hinges on whether its existence as a state is China hinges on whether its existence as a state is legitimate and recognized.legitimate and recognized.

Two major political parties are KMT and DPP.Two major political parties are KMT and DPP.

Foreign relationForeign relation As of March 2008, Taiwan had formal As of March 2008, Taiwan had formal

diplomatic ties with 23 countries. diplomatic ties with 23 countries. Taiwan has cultivated informal ties with Taiwan has cultivated informal ties with

most countries to offset its diplomatic most countries to offset its diplomatic isolation and to expand its economic isolation and to expand its economic relationsrelations

Thank youThank you