Taiwan

General Information In 1895, the Chinese military suffered a defeat and were forced to formally cede Taiwan to Japan. WWII occurred, and Taiwan was then returned to Chinese control. In 1949, Communism took over mainland China, and 2 million people fled to the island of Taiwan.

The government that they established was based on the constitution that had been drafted for mainland China in 1947. The next 50 years saw native Taiwanese people being integrated into the government. They became democratic in 2000. Taiwan is an “economic tiger”.

The most important political issue these days is the situation with China…Will they unite?????

Location Absolute: 23-30* North Latitude, and 121* East Longitude. Relative: Eastern Asia islands bordering the China Sea, and Philippine Sea. Borders the Taiwan Strait. Off China’s Southeastern coast. North of the Philippines.

Place Slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined. Climate: Tropical and marine. Rainy season during southwest monsoon that occurs between June and August. It is very cloudy all throughout the year.

Terrain: The 2/3 on the eastern side are mostly rugged mountains. Flat to gently rolling plains in the west. Natural hazards are earthquakes and typhoons.

High Point: Yu Shan

Low Point: South China Sea

Ethnicities

Religions

Languages: Mandarin Chinese is the official language. Taiwanese, and Hakka dialects are also spoken. Taipei is the capital.

Human and Environmental Interaction Air Pollution Water Pollution from industrial emissions. Raw Sewage Contamination of drinking water supplies. Endangered species are traded. There is also disposal of radioactive waste.

Movement Railways Highways Pipelines Ports and Harbors Airports: 39 total 37 are paved 2 are unpaved

Regional transit point for heroin and methamphetamines (speed) Regional transit point for heroin and methamphetamines (speed). There are major problems with the domestic abuse of Methamphetamines and heroin as well.

Region Big dispute with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and Brunei over the Spratly Island. China also claims the Paracel Islands, but Taiwan and Vietnam also claim them.