ABOUT TAIWAN

Area	36,000 square kilometers
Population	22 million
Capital	Taipei City
Language	Mandarin Chinese (Official Language), Taiwanese, Hakka
National Flower	Plum
Climate	Subtropical weather Taiwan 7-Day Forecast ( Central Weather Bureau )
Temperature	Average 22 Celsius Degree
Religion	Buddhism, Taoism, Christian, Catholics
Currency	New Taiwan Dollar (NT$) 1US$ = 30 NT$ (April 2008)
Culture	Chinese Culture
Electricity	110 volts

Geographical Location

Taiwan is located on the western edge of the Pacific "rim of fire". The continuous tectonic movements have resulted in majestic peaks, rolling hills and plains, basins, coastline and many wonders. This tobacco leaf-shaped island is around 36,000 square kilometers and it is populated by approximately 23 million inhabitants.

It lies off the south-eastern coast of mainland Asia,across the Taiwan Straits from Mainland China. Japan and Okinawa lies to the north of Taiwan and to the south of it lay the Philippines. There are about 18,400 species of wildlife on the island with more than 20 percent categorized as rare or endangered species. These species include land-locked salmon, Taiwan mountain goat, Formosan rock monkey, Formosan black bear, blue magpie, Mikado pheasant, Hsuehshan grass lizard, and many more.

There are 6 national parks and 11 national scenic areas to be preserved by the ROC government as the best natural ecological environment and cultural sites.They include the splendor cliffs at Taroko Gorge,the breathtaking sunset and sea of clouds on the Alishan,the Northeast Asia' highest peak, Jade Mountain, the Asia's version of Hawaii in Kenting, the beautiful Sun Moon Lake, the East Rift Valley, and the offshore islands of Kinmen and Penghu.

Climate and Weather

The annual average temperature is 22 degrees Celsius with lowest temperatures ranging from 12 to 17 degrees in winter season. Taiwan has very stable weather on summer and autumn seasons. The rain starts to drizzle in late May, therefore, it is better to carry an umbrella with you at all times. The big wind--typhoon, reaches Taiwan for a few times in summer.

In general, spring is the perfect season to travel in Taiwan. Summer is hot and humid. Even so, the sun is not as stinging hot as it seems bright because Taiwan is located in the subtropical climate zone. It is the season for you to do some hiking in the mountains or some surfing in the seashore.

The autumn season is the coolest and the most soothing weather to admire the beautifully changing color of maple trees. The winter, which is relatively warm and short, attracts many residents and tourist to enjoy the hot springs.

Language

The official language of Taiwan is Mandarin Chinese, but Min-nan (Holo on the southern Min dialect) is widely spoken in Taiwan. The smaller groups of Hakka people and aborigines have also preserved their own dialects. English is most popular foreign language in Taiwan because it is included into the school curriculum. Taiwan provides great Chinese learning program which is ranged from hourly-based classes to recognized university programs for many foreigners from Europe, the United States and other different countries. It is an ideal place to study Chinese, enrich the Chinese culture and make money through teaching English in cram schools or in private tutoring.

Culture

Taiwan is enriched with a multifaceted culture. People from many different places and backgrounds such as Taiwan's indigenous people, the southern Fujianese from early China, Hakka immigrants, the Dutch, Spanish, and Japanese, and the recent immigrants from Mainland China have all placed important roles on the development of ROC cultures.

Taiwan forms the center of Chinese art and culture, which can be observed from the rich collection of cultural relics from past dynasties exhibited in the renowned National Palace Museum.

At the Lin Family Garden in Bangiao, people can see the architectures from Fujianese from early China and the Hakka immigrants. The traditional architecture and folk art also illustrate the rich culture of Taiwan. The Temple is the most representative one to tell the story of the traditional Chinese architecture and art. Some of the most famous temples in Taiwan not only possess the historical value, but also preserve an artistic value. They are such as the Longshan (DragonMountain) Temple, the MazuTemple (Queen of Heaven Temple) in Lugang, and the ChaotianTemple in Beigang.

Life Style

Life style in Taiwan can vary from county to county and from city to city. Taipei city is a very fast-paced city and it is the central location for Taiwan's pop-culture. For those who want to be in touch with what's hip and new prefer to live in Taipei city.

If you like an exciting city that never sleeps, then Taipei is definitely where you'd want to be. However, for those who prefer the quiet life, some where you can see the stars every night, than you might want to live someone like Yunlin County, where it’s remote and quiet. If you like it quiet during the weekdays and an exciting weekend,you might choose to live somewhere like Hsinchu, where it's quiet but only about an hour away from Taipei city by train so you can come up to Taipei whenever you’re in the mood for some city lights.

Whereever you choose to live, you'll notice different things about each county and city that makes it unique and special in its own way. Taiwan not only takes in the rich culture of Japan, but it also adapts life styles from Europe and North America, therefore, you will never be home sick because there will always be something here that can remind you of home.