| |
|
|
| |
Home
>
World
> East Asia
> Taiwan
|
General Information
Area: 36,006 sq km (13,969 sq miles).
Population: 22,034,096 (1999).
Population Density: 612.0 per sq km.
Capital: Taipei. Population: 2,646,474 (2001).
GEOGRAPHY: Taiwan (China) is the main island of a group of 86 islands. It is dominated by the Central Mountain Range covering 75 per cent of its land area and running its full length north to south on the eastern seaboard. Over 100 peaks exceed 3000m (9850ft), the highest being Yu Shan (Jade Mountain) at 3952m (13,042ft), and most are heavily forested. About 25 per cent of the country is alluvial plain, most of it on the coastal strip. The Pescadores (Fisherman’s Isles), which the Chinese call Penghu, comprise 64 islands west of Taiwan (China) with a total area of 127 sq km (49 sq miles). The offshore island fortress of Quemoy (Kinmen) and Matsu forms part of the mainland province of Fukien.
Government: Republic since 1912. Head of State: President Chen Shui-bian since 2000. Head of Government: Prime Minister Yu Hsi-kun since 2002.
Language: The official language is Northern Chinese (Mandarin). Taiwanese is widely spoken, and English is taught as the first foreign language in schools.
Religion: Buddhism; also Taoism, Christianity and Islam.
Time: GMT + 8.
Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60Hz.
Communications:
Telephone
Full IDD is available. Country code: 886. Outgoing international code: 002. There is an extensive internal telephone system.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900 and 1800 networks. Network operators include Taiwan Cellular Corporation (website: www.twngsm.com.tw), KG Telecom (website: www.kgt.com.tw) and Far Eastone Telecommunications (website: www.fareastone.com.tw).
Fax
Facilities are widely available.
Internet
Internet cafes provide public access to Internet and e-mail services. ISPs include Asia Pacific Online (website: www.apol.com.tw) and Chunghwa Telecom/Hinet (website: www.hinet.net).
Telegram
Telegrams may be sent from post offices and hotels.
Post
Airmail to Western Europe takes up to ten days. Poste restante facilities are available in main cities.
Press
English-language daily papers include Taiwan News and the China Post. English-language journals include Taipei Journal (weekly) and Taipei Review (monthly).
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.
BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice):
Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov):
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
Terms and Conditions apply.
|
|
|
|
|
