Between the South and East China Seas, off the southeast coast of the People’s Republic of China.

GMT + 8.

36,188 sq km (13,972 sq miles).

22.7 million (2004, Government statistics).

627.27 per sq km.

Taipei. Population: 2.6 million (2004).

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.

Republic since 1912. Head of State: President Chen Shui-bian since 2000. Head of Government: Premier Su Tseng-chang since 2006. Recent history: President Chen Shui-bian, from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was elected in 2000, ending more than 50 years of Nationalist (Kuomintang) rule. He was reelected by a very narrow margin in March 2004, after a campaign focusing on formal independence for Taiwan. As a result, Beijing, which sees constitutional change as a dangerous step towards formal statehood for Taiwan, refuses to deal with Mr Chen.
Domestic opposition has plagued Mr Chen in his second term. The Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) and its allies, who favour closer ties with Beijing, have given his DPP a drubbing in local and parliamentary polls. But the president received a boost when a reform allowing the public to vote on constitutional changes was approved in 2005. Mr Chen says a vote that could pave the way for a new charter may be held by 2007.
President Chen Shui-bian chose Su Tseng-chang, his former Chief of Staff, to replace Prime Minister Frank Hsieh, who resigned in January 2006, after less than a year in the post. Frank Hsieh, the former Premier, resigned after accepting blame for the DPP's defeat in local Government elections. Su Tseng-chang is the fifth Premier to be appointed by President Chen in the past six years, and many analysts believe that his room for manoeuvre will be limited, especially since the opposition parties have a Parliamentary majority. Mr Su, a possible Presidential candidate for 2008, has named a new Cabinet made up of a mix of old and new political faces.
Under the amended 1947 constitution, Taiwan has an executive who is Head of State and is directly elected for a four-year term. The Parliament has two chambers. The Li Fa Yuan (Legislative Yuan) has 225 members – 168 elected for a three-year term in multi-seat constituencies, 41 elected by proportional representation, eight representing ethnic minorities, and six representing the overseas Chinese community. After six constitutional amendments between April 1991 and 2000, the National Assembly is now a non-standing body and its delegates are nominated by political parties on the basis of proportional representation. Most of its original functions have been transferred to the Legislative Yuan.
A 300-member non-standing body will be selected by proportional representation according to laws to be passed by the Legislative Yuan. The National Assembly's functions will be limited to voting on constitutional amendments, presidential impeachment, or alteration of national boundaries as proposed by the Legislative Yuan. Its former powers have been transferred to the Legislative Yuan.

The official language is Northern Chinese (Mandarin). Taiwanese is widely spoken, and English is taught as the first foreign language in schools.

Buddhism; also Taoism, Christianity and Islam.

110 volts AC, 60Hz.

Handshaking is common. Casual wear is widely acceptable. Ancient festivals and customs are celebrated enthusiastically and traditional holidays are important. Entertainment is usually offered in restaurants, not at home. Visitors are not expected to entertain. Chinese culture in the form of drama, opera and art is very strong. Despite rapid industrialisation and development, the way of life is very much Chinese, steeped in tradition and old values.