Taiwan, officially called the Republic of China (ROC), is a sovereign island nation located in East Asia. It consists of the main island of Taiwan, as well as numerous smaller islands and islets. Taiwan is bordered by China to the west, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south.

Taiwan has a population of approximately 23.5 million people, with the majority living in urban areas. Its official language is Mandarin Chinese, but many people also speak Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka, and indigenous languages.

Taiwan has a developed, export-oriented economy that is highly dependent on trade. Major industries include electronics, semiconductors, petrochemicals, and steel. It is a member of the World Trade Organization and has free trade agreements with many other countries.

Taiwan is a democratic country with a presidential system of government. The president is both the head of state and the head of government, and is elected to a four-year term. The country has a multi-party system and a unicameral legislature, the Legislative Yuan.

Taiwan has a diverse culture that reflects its history of colonization by various countries, including the Netherlands, Spain, Japan, and China. The country has a rich culinary tradition that includes dishes such as beef noodle soup, oyster omelette, and bubble tea. Taiwan is also known for its night markets, which are bustling centers of street food, shopping, and entertainment.

Taiwan is home to a number of famous landmarks, including Taipei 101, one of the world's tallest buildings, and Sun Moon Lake, a picturesque lake surrounded by mountains. The country also has a number of cultural and historical sites, including the National Palace Museum, which houses one of the world's largest collections of Chinese art and artifacts.

Telephone Code
886

Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 119; Fire: 119; Police: 110

Vaccinations
Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends travelers to Taiwan be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. See WHO recommendations.

Climate
Tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); persistent and extensive cloudiness all year

Currency (Code)
New Taiwan dollars (TWD)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
110 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B

Major Languages
Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese (Min Nan), Hakka dialects, approximately 16 indigenous languages

Major Religions
Buddhist 35.3%, Taoist 33.2%, Christian 3.9%, folk (includes Confucian) approximately 10%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Taipei (includes Taipei 101, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Longshan Temple, National Palace Museum, Shilin Night Market); Yangmingshan National Park; Chimei Museum; Kenting Street; Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

Major Sports
Baseball, soccer, basketball, golf, softball

Cultural Practices
Giving scissors, knives, or other cutting utensils as a gift traditionally indicates that you want to sever a relationship.

Tipping Guidelines
A service charge of 10-15% is typically added in restaurants. Taxis do not require a tip.

Souvenirs
Jade jewelry and other jade items; coral, agate, and other precious stone jewelry and decorative items; bamboo items; hand-tailored clothing; Seagrass items; glass figurines; ceramics/pottery; Chinese musical instruments; traditional dolls in costumes; hand-painted palace lanterns; lacquerware; teak furniture; replica antiques; teas; beauty products

Traditional Cuisine
Beef Noodle Soup — a soup made with beef, broth, vegetables, noodles, and spices and often served with seaweed and braised dried tofu

Geography
Area
total: 35,980 sq km
land: 32,260 sq km
water: 3,720 sq km

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

Natural resources
small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, asbestos, arable land

People and Society
Population
23,588,613 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Han Chinese (including Holo, who compose approximately 70% of Taiwan's population, Hakka, and other groups originating in mainland China) more than 95%, indigenous Malayo-Polynesian peoples 2.3%

Languages
Mandarin (official), Min Nan, Hakka dialects, approximately 16 indigenous languages

Religions
Buddhist 35.3%, Taoist 33.2%, Christian 3.9%, folk religion (includes Confucian) approximately 10%, none or unspecified 18.2% (2005 est.)

Population growth rate
0.03% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
semi-presidential republic

Capital
name: Taipei

Economy
Economic overview
high-income East Asian economy; most technologically advanced computer microchip manufacturing; increasing Chinese interference threatens market capabilities; minimum wages rising; longstanding regional socioeconomic inequality

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1,143,277,000,000 (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$24,502 (2018 est.)

Agricultural products
rice, vegetables, pork, cabbages, poultry, sugar cane, milk, eggs, pineapples, tropical fruit

Industries
electronics, communications and information technology products, petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals

Exports
$388.49 billion (2019 est.)

Exports - partners
China 26%, United States 14%, Hong Kong 12%, Japan 7%, Singapore 7%, South Korea 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
integrated circuits, office machinery/parts, computers, refined petroleum, liquid crystal displays (2019)

Imports
$308.744 billion (2019 est.)

Imports - partners
China 21%, Japan 16%, United States 11%, South Korea 6% (2019)

Imports - commodities
integrated circuits, crude petroleum, photography equipment, natural gas, refined petroleum (2019)