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Country Code
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Taiwan Location:
Physical. Taiwan is located in Eastern Asia just off the southeastern coast of China, north of the Philippines. It spans an area slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined. The climate in Taiwan is tropical with a rainy season during the southwest monsoon (June to August) and frequent cloudiness. Much of the eastern territory is covered by rugged mountains while the west forms flat to slightly rolling plains. Natural resources include small amounts of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble and asbestos.
Taiwan Geography:
Geography
Area: 35,980 sq km
Capital: Taipei (2,618,000)
Environmental concerns: air and water pollution; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal Geographical features: eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains with flat to gently rolling plains in the west
Climate: tropical and marine with rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August) and cloudiness that is persistent and extensive all year
Taiwan People:
People. More than 23 million people inhabit Taiwan. They recognize Taiwanese (Min) and Mandarin Chinese as their official languages, while some also speak Hakka dialects. Three main ethnic groups can be found in Taiwan: Taiwanese (84%, including Hakka), mainland Chinese (14%), and aborigine (2%). Religions found in Taiwan include: a mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist (93%), Christian (4.5%), and other (2.5%).
23,036,000 (July 2006 est.) Taiwanese (84%, including Hakka), mainland Chinese (14%), aborigine (2%)
Annual growth rate: 0.61% (2006 est.)
Major languages are Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects
Religions: mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist (93%), Christian (5%), other (3%)
Taiwan Government:
Government. Taiwan's capital, Taipei, is located near the northern tip of the mainland. Taiwan continues to seek its independence from China. Its constitution was passed on January 1, 1947, and amended several times in the 1990's. Taiwan is a multiparty democratic regime headed by a popularly elected president for a four-year term. The president appoints the prime minister. In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party. There are 23 administrative divisions.
Taiwan is a multiparty democracy.
The chief of state is President Chen Shui-bian (since 20 May 2000). The head of government is Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) Su Tseng-chang (since 25 January 2006).
Universal suffrage 20 years of age
Taiwan Communication:
Communication and transportation
13,529,900 (2004) main telephone lines in use
13.8 million (2005) Internet users
37,299 km of roadways
2,497 km railroads
42 (2005) airports
5,300,000 motor vehicles (2004)
Taiwan Economy:
Economy. Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with diminishing government involvement in investment and foreign trade. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth has averaged 8% for the past thirty years. Exports have grown even faster and now provide the basis for Taiwan's economy. The success of the export sector has given Taiwan a seven-year-high real GDP growth of 6.1% in 2004. However, excess inventory, higher international oil prices, and rising interest rates dampened consumption in developed markets, and GDP growth dropped to 3.8% in 2005. Agriculture comprised 35% of GDP in 1952, but today it contributes only 2%. Taiwan is an important and major investor in many Asian nations and China has become its largest export market. Taiwan's GDP is comprised of: agriculture (2%), industry (29%), and services (69%).
Currency: new Taiwan dollar
Per capita GDP: $27,600 (2005 est.)
GDP: $631.2 billion (2005 est.)
GDP growth rate: 3.8% (2005 est.)
Inflation rate: 2.3% (2005 est.)
Labor force: agriculture (6%), industry (36%) services (58%) (2005 est.)  |
