Terrain

Taiwan is divided by a central mountain range that runs from north to south, rising sharply on the eastern side and descending gradually to a form a broad plain in the west. The country's highest peak is the Yu Shan (3,997 m). Various long rivers pass through Taiwan, but the only navigable one is the Tanshui.

Climate

Taiwan has a tropical climate that is influenced by the monsoons. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are mild and short. Typhoons from the South China Sea bring heavy rainfall between July and September. Average annual precipitation is over 2,000 mm in the low-lying areas and increases with altitude. In Taipei, the temperature ranges from 12°C to 18°C in February and from 24°C to 34°C in July.

Fauna/Flora

Taiwan has a tropical forest, which reaches around 2,000 metres in altitude. The island's high mountain forests predominantly have cypress trees; camphor used to grow in abundance. Many species of animals are found, such as the Formosan black bear, the Formosan Sika deer and the Formosan landlocked salmon.

History/Politics

People of Malayan descent inhabited Taiwan when the first Chinese came from Fukien and Kwangtung and began to settle there in the 7th century AD. Portuguese explorers reached the island in 1590, naming it Formosa ("Beautiful"). In 1624, the Dutch set up forts in the south and controlled the island until 1661, when Chinese general Koxinga occupied the island and drove the Dutch out.

Taiwan became part of the Chinese Empire in 1683 and remained so until shortly after the end of the first Sino-Japanese War in 1895, when it passed to Japan. Taiwan was the target of heavy American bombing during World War II; it was returned to China at the end of the war. In 1949, following the Communist victory in China, General Kai-shek's nationalist government retreated to Taiwan and seceded from China.

Chinese efforts to recover the island were thwarted by the United States, who not only defended the island with force, but also trained a nationalist army over the decades that followed.

After the death of Chiang Kai-shek in 1975, his son became prime minister and went on to become president in 1978. After his death in 1988, he was succeeded by Lee Teng-hui. A year later, opposition parties took part in the first general elections.

The governing party, Kuomintang, obtained 71% of the votes, which was seen as being a sign of widespread opposition to reunification with China. In April 1991, the government formally declared an end to the state of emergency, which had existed since the arrival of Chiang Kai-shek 's troops. Lee Teng-hui was re-elected in the first presidential elections of March 1996 by a direct vote.

President Lee Teng-hui announced in July 1999 that he was abandoning the longstanding "One China" policy that had kept peace between the island and its neighbour, and that Taiwan would from now on deal with China as a state in its own right. The pro-independence candidate Chen Shui-bian of the Democratic Progressive Party won the presidential elections in March 2000, which brought an end to more than 50 years of nationalist rule. In recent years, contact between China and Taiwan has increased; the two territories now engage in trade with each other and have direct links.

Economy

Taiwan's current economic policy dates back to 1953, when long-term plans were formed. They aimed to develop and increase production and industrial exports. The combination of a state-run economy, the existence of competitive small and medium-sized enterprises and a market economy meant that Taiwan became one of the most important countries in the region.

Some of the main products that are exported are electrical appliances and products for the construction, machinery and clothing industries. Around 8% of the population works in agriculture, 37% in industry and 55% in the services sector. In 2003, the unemployment rate was 5.3% and inflation was 0.1%.

Culture

Taiwanese cultural traditions are very similar to those of China. Chinese and Taiwanese opera, which are related, form an important part of the country's culture. Chinese immigrants introduced puppeteering in the 19th century, which in time developed its own style. Its three main forms are: marionette theatre, which is very popular, puppet theatre and shadow theatre.

The Taiwanese place great importance on education, which is both compulsory and free. Since the Taiwanese take health and longevity very seriously, many practise Tai Chi Chuan (a martial art) for exercise and as a form of artistic expression.