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General Information
Area 36,188 sq km (13,972 sq miles). Population 22,560,000 (2003). Population Density 623.6 per sq km. Capital Taipei. Population: 2,641,856 (2002). Geography Taiwan (China) is the main island of a group of 86 islands. It is dominated by the Central Mountain Range covering 69 per cent of its land area and running its full length north to south on the eastern seaboard. Over 200 peaks exceed 3000m (9850ft), the highest being Yu Shan (Jade Mountain) at 3952m (13,042ft), and most are heavily forested. About 31 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, PR) 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: Premier Frank Hsieh since 2005. 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 Far Eastone Telecommunications, KG Telecom (website: www.kgt.com.tw) and Taiwan Cellular Corporation (website: www.twngsm.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 10 days. Poste Restante facilities are available in main cities. Press English-language daily papers include The China Post and Taiwan News. English-language journals include Taipei Journal (weekly) and Taipei Review (monthly). Radio BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. |
