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|  | TAIWAN COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | Taiwan (China) is the main island of a group of 78 islands. It is dominated by the Central Mountain Range covering 75 per cent of its land area and running its full length north to south on the eastern seaboard. Over 100 peaks exceed 3000m (9850ft), the highest being Yu Shan (Jade Mountain) at 3952m (13,041.6ft), and most are heavily forested. About 25 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) with a total area of 127 sq km (49 sq miles). The offshore island fortress of Quemoy (Kinmen) and Matsu, form part of the mainland province of Fukien. In 1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan to Japan. Taiwan reverted to Chinese control after World War II. Following the Communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1946 constitution drawn up for all of China. Over the next five decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the native population within the governing structure. In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party. Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic "Tigers." The dominant political issues continue to be the relationship between Taiwan and China - specifically the question of eventual unification - as well as domestic political and economic reform. Includes central island of Taiwan plus numerous smaller islands near central island and off coast of China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 18 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5 municipalities (shih, singular and plural), and 2 special municipalities (chuan-shih, singular and plural)
: counties: Chang-hua, Chia-i, Hsin-chu, Hua-lien, I-lan, Kao-hsiung county, Kin-men, Lien-chiang, Miao-li, Nan-t'ou, P'eng-hu, P'ing-tung, T'ai-chung, T'ai-nan, T'ai-pei county, T'ai-tung, T'ao-yuan, and Yun-lin
: municipalities: Chia-i, Chi-lung, Hsin-chu, T'ai-chung, T'ai-nan
: special municipalities: Kao-hsiung city, T'ai-pei city
note: Taiwan generally uses Wade-Giles system for romanization; special municipality of Taipei adopted standard pinyin romanization for street and place names within city boundaries, other local authorities have selected a variety of romanization systems. Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing guidance of investment and foreign trade by government authorities. In keeping with this trend, some large government-owned banks and industrial firms are being privatized. Exports have provided the primary impetus for industrialization. The trade surplus is substantial, and foreign reserves are the world's third largest. Agriculture contributes less than 2% to GDP, down from 32% in 1952. Taiwan is a major investor throughout Southeast Asia. China has overtaken the US to become Taiwan's largest export market. Because of its conservative financial approach and its entrepreneurial strengths, Taiwan suffered little compared with many of its neighbors from the Asian financial crisis in 1998. The global economic downturn, combined with problems in policy coordination by the administration and bad debts in the banking system, pushed Taiwan into recession in 2001, the first year of negative growth ever recorded. Unemployment also reached record levels. Output recovered moderately in 2002 in the face of continued global slowdown, fragile consumer confidence, and bad bank loans; and the essentially vibrant economy pushed ahead in 2003-04. Growing economic ties with China are a dominant long-term factor, e.g., exports to China of parts and equipment for the assembly of goods for export to developed countries. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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| | | RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | Taipei
The principal city in the north, Taipei was designated a 'special municipality' in July 1967, thus acquiring the same status as a province and its mayor the same rank as a provincial governor. The area of the city has expanded to four times its original size, making it the fastest-growing city in Asia.
The city centre contains the National Museum of History, the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, the Taiwan Provincial Museum and Chung Cheng (Chiang Kai-shek) Memorial Hall, which is a fine example of classical Chinese architecture. The magnificent main entrance is more than 30m (100ft) high. One of Taipei's new attractions is a tour of the Fu Hsing Dramatic Arts Academy where traditional Chinese opera and acrobatic performers are trained and where they stage shows. Also new to Taipei is the City of Cathay, a replica of an ancient Chinese town which is located within the Chinese Culture and Movie Centre.
The Lungshan (Dragon Mountain) Temple is dedicated to Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, and was built in 1740. The temple, one of more than 5000 temples and shrines in the country, is regarded as the island's finest example of temple architecture.
Among other outstanding buildings of classical Chinese architecture in Taipei are the Martyrs' Shrine, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and the Chungsham Building in the Yangmingshan district of the metropolis, 40 minutes' drive from the centre of Taipei, where the National Palace Museum can also be found; it houses the world's largest and most priceless collection of Chinese art treasures (over 6000 items). Yangmingshan National Park is famous for its cherry and azalea trees and attracts thousands of visitors at blossom time.
Beyond the Capital
The North
Keelung has an imposing hilltop statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. The northeast coastal road offers a spectacular drive, passing the foothills of the Central Mountain Range and overlooking the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The traveller will pass through many small villages the lifestyles of which have changed little with the advent of high technology. Other outstanding attractions of the area include Yehliu, noted for its fantastic rock formations (Queen's Head); Green Bay and Chinshan beaches, with full beach resort facilities; Shihmen Dam; and Wulai, a mountain resort south of Taipei. Wulai is the site of a hilltop park and of a village inhabited by aboriginals who, besides making and selling artefacts, give song and dance performances for tourists. The Northeast Coast National Scenic Area, also with unusual rock formations, is not only good for swimming, diving, surfing, water-skiing and camping, but also the best place for seashore fishing and rock climbing. Window on China at Lungtan, 53km (33 miles) south-west of Taipei, contains reproductions on a scale of 1:25 of historical and other notable Chinese sites.
Central Taiwan
The centre of the island has the most varied landscape. The east-west cross-island highway passes through spectacular mountain passes, most notably the Taroko Gorge, a ravine with towering cliffs shot through with extensive marble deposits. Lishan, located 1945m (6381ft) up on Pear Mountain, is a popular mountain resort. Other popular sights in the mountains include the Sun Moon Lake, the Chitou Forest recreation area, Yu Shan (Jade Mountain), and the alpine railway to Alishan.
Throughout the central area there are numerous temples. The region's main towns are Taichung, one of the largest ports on the island, and Hualien in the east.
The South
Kenting National Park is a popular forest recreation area boasting fine beaches, coral lakes, a bird sanctuary and, more recently, facilities for watersports and golf, all set amidst tropical coastal forest. Kaohsiung is the main industrial centre and has the island's only other main airport, besides Taipei's Chiang Kai-shek. Tainan, the oldest city on the island, is known as the 'City of 100 Temples'; there are in fact 220, amongst them some of the best examples of Confucian temple architecture on the island.
Lanyu
Lanyu (Orchid Island), one of the smaller islands off the southeast coast, is the home of the aboriginal Yami, one of the world's last surviving hunter-gatherer tribes. Lotus Lake in Kaohsiung is the site of the Spring and Autumn pavilions and of the Dragon and Tiger pagodas. | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
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