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
Area in total
35,980 sq km
Land boundaries in total
0 km
Coastline
1,566.3 km
Climate
tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year
Terrain
eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west
Elevation extremes
Lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
Highest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m
Natural resources
small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos
Natural hazards
earthquakes and typhoons
Population
22,749,838 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 19.9% (male 2,359,467; female 2,167,438)
15-64 years: 70.7% (male 8,149,231; female 7,924,774)
65 years and over: 9.4% (male 1,091,473; female 1,057,455) (2004 est.)
Median age: 33.7 years
Ethnic groups
Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2%
Religions
mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%
Language
Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects
National holiday
Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911)
GDP
USD 528.6 billion (2003 est.)
GDP per capita
USD 23,400 (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate
5% (2003 est.)
Government
multiparty democratic regime headed by popularly-elected president and unicameral legislature
Capital
Taipei
Head of State
President Chen Shui-bian
Inflation rate
3.1%
Major Trading Partners
USA, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea
Agriculture products
rice, corn, vegetables, fruit, tea; pigs, poultry, beef, milk, fish
Industries
electronics, petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing
Currency
new Taiwan dollar (TWD)
Internet country code
.tw
Internet users
8.83 million (2003)
Dialing Code
886
Electricity
110 V, 60 Hz
Tipping
Tipping is not customary in most of places in Taiwan. The one exception is tipping the bellboy when you check into a hotel.
