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Often referred to as a "Little Dragon ", Taiwan has one of Asia's most rapidly expanding economies. However, it is not recognized by the UN and lies at the centre of a debate over ruling rights. Taipei is the capital city and Taiwan’s has an area of 35,980 sq.km with a population of 22,200,000.Mandarin and Chinese are the main languages spoken. People practice Buddhism and traditional beliefs.
The main island of Taiwan, also known as Formosa, is located in East Asia off the coast of mainland China, southwest of the main islands of Japan but directly west of the end of Japan's Ryukyu islands, and north - northwest of the Philippines. It is bound to the east by the Pacific Ocean, to the south by the south China sea and the Luzon strait,to the west by the Taiwan Strait and to the north by the east China Sea. The island is 394 Kilometers long and 144 kilometers wide and consists of steep mountains covered by tropical and subtropical vegetation. |
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| History |
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Evidence of human settlement in Taiwan dates back thirty thousand years, although the first inhabitants of Taiwan may have been genetically distinct from any groups currently on the island. About four thousand years ago, ancestors of current Taiwanese aborigines settled in Taiwan.These aborigines are genetically related to Malay and Polynesians, and linguists classify their languages as Austronesian.
Polynesians are suspected to have ancestry traceable back to Taiwan. China claims Taiwan to be a province of Beijing, although the Taiwanese have governed here since the communists gained control of china in 1949. Despite this tension, Taiwan has established global trading markets and its people enjoy high living standards. |
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| Politics |
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Multi party democracy. On September 30, 2007, Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party approved a resolution asserting separate identity from china and called for the enactment of a new constitution for the country. It called also for general use of Taiwan as the island name, without abolishing its formal name, the Republic of China.
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| CLIMATE |
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| Taiwan is sub -tropical but the climate varies from hot and humid in the south tempering to cooler in the north and inland mountainous region. All over the country sudden rainfall showers frequently occur, making rainwear and essential part of a visistor's luggage. The driest time of year is autumn (Sept to Oct), which is by short and damp chilly winter with snow on the island's mountain peaks. |
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| ECONOMY |
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Few natural resources have forced Taiwan to develop a booming highly specilased industry. Backed by an educated, aimbitious work force, the country exports electronic equipment, such as computers and television sets machinery, textiles, sports equipment, toys and watches. Profits are invested, or used to buy oil for energy. Farming and fishing ensure self-sufficiency in food.
Taiwan dollar is the currency used. With its high density and many factories, some areas in Taiwan suffer from heavy pollution. Most notable are the southern suburbs of Taipei and the western stretch from Tainan to Lin Yaun, south of Kaohsiung. Water pollution remains a problematic issue. Nearly 90% of sewage waste in Taiwan is dunped untreated into waterways.
Several rivers are so heavily polluted that it would take billions of dollars to clean them. Taiwan has significant coal deposits and some insignificant oil and gas deposits. Electrical power generation is nearly 55% coal- based, 18% nuclear power,17% natural gas,and about 5% oil, and 5%from renewable energy sources. Nearly all oil and gas for transportation and power needs must be imported, making Taiwan particularly sensitive to fluctations in energy prices. |
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| PEOPLE |
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| About 80 percent of Taiwanese are Han chinese, who moved to Taiwan when the communists took power in 1949.They live in extended family groups, following tarditional customs. Taiwan’s native peoples of Indonesian origin now make up only two percent of the population. The Ami, of the eastern mountains, are the largest group. Expert potters and farmers, their women rule the household. |
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