There are amazingly warm and beautiful places with magnificent pearl beaches and comfortable conditions for tourists to relax. In this article, you can get acquainted with a small and very cozy corner of the Earth, called Taiwan. What country is it, where is it located, and who lives in it? This and many other things will be briefly described below.
But first, note that this is a land of amazing contrasts. Here, the magnificent snow-white sea coasts are perfectly adjacent to the bustling modern megalopolises. A huge number of sugarcane plantations grow near numerous temples and cutting-edge resorts.
Which country does Taiwan belong to?
Taiwan Island is located in the Pacific Ocean (in the western part). It is separated from China (mainland) by the Gulf of Taiwan (or Formosa), whose width is 160 km.
For many centuries around the world this land has been called the Formos Island, which means “beautiful” in Portuguese. This romantic name in the 16th century was given to it by Portuguese sailors, struck by the unimaginable beauty of the island.
In Asia, Taiwan is one of the largest islands. The total area is about 36 thousand square meters. km Its waters are washed: from the north of the East China Sea, from the east - the Pacific Ocean, and from the south - the South China Sea. From Taiwan, the distance to Hong Kong and Shanghai is exactly the same.
What country is Taiwan located in? This place (Republic of China) is a state partially recognized in East Asia, located off the southeast coast of China, its continental part. It includes the territories of the islands of Taiwan, Kinmen, Penghu, Matsu and a number of smaller ones.
Administrative separation
Taiwan is a democratic republic in the form of state power. What kind of country? Being one of the many provinces of China, according to the PRC government, Taiwan is in fact a separate state, which is practically not recognized by either the UN or a single country in the world. It is believed that its recognition means a breakdown in relations with mainland China, which no state can afford.
The president is the head of state, the prime minister is the head of government.
In total, the island has 2 large cities of central subordination: the capital of China, Taipei (in the north of the island) and the economic center of Kaohsiung (industrial center in the south), and another 5 provincial cities: Taichung, Jilong ， Hsinchu, Tainan and Chiayi. There are 16 counties in the Republic.
Language and religion
Chinese is the official language of Taiwan. Of the many dialects, the northern, otherwise Beijing, is chosen as the national language.
A very colorful state of Taiwan. What country is this in terms of religion? The most common religion is Buddhism. It is professed by approximately 5 million people. Taoism in popularity is the second religion. He is also considered as a philosophical doctrine.
Christianity came here from outside. Approximately 430 thousand Taiwanese residents consider themselves Protestants, and 300 thousand - Catholics. There are Muslims - about 50 thousand.
Climatic conditions
And what is the weather like in Taiwan? This is a country with mild climatic conditions on the island itself, with subtropical - in the north and tropical - in the south.
Summer is usually warm (about 27 ° C), and it lasts from April to October. And the winter is quite mild (15 ° C), which lasts from December to February. 2550 mm of average annual rainfall, and humidity is 80%. From June to August on the island during the reign of the southwest monsoon - the rainy season.
Economy
Taiwan is part of the New Industrial Countries. In 1995, its annual gross national income amounted to about 263 billion dollars, which enables the state to occupy 19th place around the world. GNP is $ 12,439 per capita, with $ 89.5 billion in dollar reserves. Taiwan ranks second after Japan in the world.
Kitchen
Where can I try the most varied types of Chinese cuisine? Should go to Taiwan. What country can still offer guests Sichuan, Guangdong, Shanghai, Huan, Beijing and Taiwan cuisines in such a variety?
Taiwan is also famous for its fine French, Italian, Swiss and German restaurants. American KFC and McDonald's have taken root here.
Amazing, a wide variety of dishes are prepared from seafood and exotic fruits. No wonder subtropical Taiwan is home to more than 45 species of fruit.
In conclusion, about the features of life and life
To go to rest, you need to know the originality of life and communication of the peoples of the Republic of Taiwan. Which country is this? Consider some of these features.
- Since 2009, smoking in public places has been prohibited in this republic.
- Despite the fact that the Taiwanese do not pay any attention to the person who sneezed, they can quite easily sniff out on the street even without using a scarf, which is considered quite normal.
- Just by last name or first name is not accepted here. Be sure to use the connecting words: title, position, other treatment ("miss", "mistress", "master", etc.).
- Patting on the back, kisses and all sorts of other similar forms of contact can greatly shock local people.
- They do not like it when they call them Chinese. Only in cases of a more global discussion of the culture of ancient times can such a word be allowed in conversation.
- As in many countries, here you can bargain in private stores and markets, and for sellers the art of bargaining is more important than its result.