Taiwan

Taiwan (traditional Chinese: 臺灣 or 台灣; simplified Chinese: 台湾; Hanyu Pinyin: Táiwān; Tongyong Pinyin: Táiwan; Wade-Giles: T’ai-wan; Taiwanese: Tâi-oân) is an island in East Asia.The shape of the main island of Taiwan is similar to a sweet potato seen in a south-to-north direction, and therefore, Taiwanese people, especially the Min-nan division, often call themselves “children of the Sweet Potato.

“Despite its diplomatic isolation, Taiwan has become one of Asia’s big traders. It is considered to have achieved an economic miracle, becoming one of the world’s top producers of computer technology.Over 93% of Taiwanese are adherents of a combination of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism; 4.5% are adherents of Christianity, which includes Protestants, Catholics, Mormons, and other non-denominational Christian groups; and 2.5% are adherents of other religions, such as Islam.

Location: 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.

Capital: Taipei

Official language: Mandarin Chinese

Government type:  Multiparty Democracy

President: Chen Shui-bian

Premier: Chang Chun-hsiung

National Holiday: Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911)

Area

total: 35 980 km²
land: 32 260 km²
water: 3 720 km²

note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy islands

Climate: tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year.

Population: 22 858 872 (July 2007)

Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (TWD)

Internet domain: .tw

International dialing code: +886

Sources: www.wikipedia.org

http://news.bbc.co.uk