Taiwan

Introduction to Taiwan

Taiwan is an island in East Asia located off the coast of mainland China, south of Japan and north of the Philippines. "Taiwan" is commonly used to refer to the territories currently governed by the Republic of China (ROC), which include the Taiwan island group (including Lanyu (Orchid Island) and Green Island), the Pescadores in the Taiwan Strait, Quemoy and Matsu off the coast of mainland Fujian, and Taiping and the Pratas in the South China Sea. The current political status of Taiwan is contested by the People's Republic of China, which claims it as one of its provinces.

The main island of Taiwan, also known as Formosa (Portuguese sailors called it Ilha Formosa, which means "beautiful island"), is bounded to the east by the Pacific Ocean, to the south by the South China Sea and the Luzon Strait, to the west by the Taiwan Strait and to the north by the East China Sea. The island is 394 kilometres (245 miles) long and 144 kilometres (89 miles) wide and consists of steep mountains covered by tropical and subtropical vegetation.

Facing tremendous pressure from the PRC, the ROC uses the name Chinese Taipei in the Olympics and other international events, usually of which PRC is also a party. The ROC is also barred from using its national anthem and national flag in international events due to PRC pressure. PRC's pressure goes even further by barring Taiwanese spectators attending events such as the Olympics from bringing ROC national flags into Olympic venues.

Cultural notes about Taiwan

The Culture of Taiwan is a blend of traditional Chinese with significant Asian influences notably Japanese and Western influences including American, Spanish and Dutch. The Taiwanese aboriginals also have a distinct culture. Fine arts, folk traditions, and popular culture embody traditional and modern, Asian, and Western motifs. One of Taiwan's greatest attractions is the National Palace Museum, which houses over 650,000 pieces of Chinese bronze, jade, calligraphy, painting, and porcelain. This collection was moved from the mainland in 1949 when Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist Party (KMT) fled to Taiwan. The collection, estimated to be a tenth of China's cultural treasures, is so extensive that only 1% is on display at any one time.

Most people in Taiwan speak both Mandarin and Taiwanese. Mandarin is taught in schools, however most spoken media is split between Mandarin and Taiwanese. Speaking Taiwanese under the localization movement has become a way for the majority Taiwanese to distinguish themselves from the Mainlander group. The Hakka, who make about 10 percent of the population, have a distinct Hakka language. The aboriginal minority groups still speak their native languages, but most of them can also speak Mandarin and Taiwanese.

A majority of the Taiwanese population can be considered religious believers, most of whom identify themselves as Buddhists or Taoists. At the same time there is a strong belief in folk religion throughout the island including ancestral worship. These are not mutually exclusive, and many people practice a combination of the three. Confucianism also is an honoured school of thought and ethical code. Christian churches have been active on Taiwan for many years, a majority of which are Protestant and with Presbyterians playing a particularly significant role.

Karaoke is incredibly popular in Taiwan, where it is termed KTV. This is an example of something the Taiwanese have drawn, on scale, from contemporary Japanese culture. Pachinko being another example. During typhoons, many young Taiwanese will spend the day away singing Karaoke or playing mahjong.

Taiwanese culture has also influenced the west: Bubble Tea is a popular tea drink available in both Europe and the United States. Ang Lee is a famous Taiwanese movie director that is very popular in the west.

Official Canadian government advisories for travelling to, in and around Taiwan

The crime rate is relatively low. Exercise normal safety precautions and ensure valuables are secure. Foreigners, though not specifically targeted, have fallen victim to residential burglaries and thefts. Purse snatching by thieves on motorcycles occurs in southern and central areas. Women should not travel alone in taxis at night.