Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is an island nation located in East Asia, in the western Pacific Ocean. It is separated from mainland China by the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is bordered by the East China Sea to the north, the Philippine Sea to the east, and the South China Sea to the west and south. Taipei, located in the northern part of the island, is the capital and largest city, serving as its political, economic, and cultural center. Other major cities include New Taipei City (the most populous), Kaohsiung (a major port city in the southwest), and Taichung (in central-western Taiwan). The island's geography is characterized by rugged mountain ranges dominating the eastern two-thirds and plains in the western third, where the majority of its population is concentrated.
History and Political Status:
Taiwan's history is shaped by successive waves of diverse influences, including indigenous peoples, Dutch and Spanish colonial periods, Chinese governance (including under the Qing Dynasty), and Japanese taiwan mobile numbers list rule (1895-1945). The modern history of Taiwan is largely defined by the Chinese Civil War. After their defeat by the Communist forces in 1949, Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang (KMT) government fled to Taiwan, establishing the Republic of China (ROC) and claiming sovereignty over all of mainland China. Conversely, the People's Republic of China (PRC), based on the mainland, considers Taiwan a breakaway province that must be reunified. This complex and unresolved political status means that while Taiwan functions as a self-governed democracy with its own elected government, military, and currency, it has limited formal diplomatic relations with other countries due to pressure from the PRC, which adheres to a "One China" principle. Despite the diplomatic challenges, Taiwan maintains robust unofficial relations and economic ties with many nations. Taiwan transitioned from a military dictatorship to a vibrant democracy in the 1990s, holding its first direct presidential elections in 1996.
Culture and Demographics:
Taiwanese culture is a rich and unique blend of Han Chinese (particularly Fujianese and Hakka), indigenous, Japanese, and Western influences. This cultural synthesis is evident in its diverse cuisine, traditional arts, and vibrant festivals. Mandarin Chinese is the official language, but Taiwanese Hokkien (Min Nan) and Hakka are widely spoken, as are various indigenous Formosan languages. The population of Taiwan is approximately 23.9 million, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The majority of the population is ethnic Han Chinese, with a significant indigenous Taiwanese population comprising various Austronesian tribes. While freedom of religion is enshrined in its constitution, the majority of Taiwanese people practice a combination of Buddhism and Taoism, often integrated with traditional Chinese folk religions, including ancestor worship and animism. Christianity and other religions are also present.
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