Taiwan

Location Geography （ Location ） Taiwan is located off the southeastern coast of China, at the western edge of the Pacific Ocean, between Japan and the Philippines. The Central Mountain Range divides the east and west coasts and stretches from north to south. A wonderful variety of geo-graphical contrasts exist: mountains, hills, plateaus, plains, basins and coastline, all in which a diversity of unique flora and fauna thrive. With Japan to the north, China to the west, and the Philippines to the south, Taiwan has always been a location of strategic maritime importance since ancient times. It has played an important role in the development of Asia as well as world history, politics and trade. As a result, Taiwan now enjoys a high level of openness and cultural diversity.

Taiwan is a multi-ethnic society. Han （ Minna ） 70% Han （ Hakka ） 13% Taiwan aborigine 2% new resident 15%

Hakka （客家語） Taiwanese （台語） Aboriginal languages （原住民語） Taiwan Mandarin （台灣國語）

red rectangle a blue rectangle with a white sun on the upper left corner The three color mean freedom, equality, and indiscriminate love.

Taiwanese are friendly to foreigners. Taiwanese think that “ceremony” and “virtue” are very important. The number “Four” is unlucky because it sounds like “die” in Chinese.

There are many different cultures in Taiwan because there are lots of peoples here. Taiwanese accepted foreign cultures and combined them with traditional cultures.

There are many special festivals in Taiwan, and we celebrate them with different ways. ★ Chinese New Year: –The first 15 days of the New Year of Chinese lunar calendar –Have family reunion dinner –Give red envelopes to children –Go to the temples and pray for good luck

★ Lantern Festival: –15th January in Chinese lunar calendar –Watch lantern shows –Eat “Tang Yuan” (made with glutinous rice) ★ Dragon Boat Festival: –5th May in Chinese lunar calendar –Dragon boat racing –Eat rice dumplings –Make eggs stand at noon –Wear perfumed medicine bags Sky Lanterns Dragon Boat Racing

★ Ghost Festival: –15th July in Chinese lunar calendar –Prepare food for lonely drifting ghosts –Have “Chiang Gu” activity ★ Moon Festival: –15th August in Chinese lunar calendar –Moon watching –Eat moon cakes and pomelos –Have a barbecue outdoors Chiang Gu Moon Cakes

Taiwanese Opera: “Mhy-Huang Taiwanese Opera Troupe” is really famous around the world. Taiwanese Puppet Show: There is a Taiwanese Puppet Show TV series called “Wulin Warrior”.

Buddhism and Folk beliefs 93% Christianity 4.5% Others 2.5%

Taiwan is really famous for its local snacks. Stinky Tofu Beef NoodlesOyster Thin Noodles Soup DumplingsSteamed Dumplings

Steamed SandwichTaiwanese MeatballsBraised Pork Rice Crushed Ice DessertBubble Milk Tea

Taipei101 Love River in KaohsiungNational Palace Museum AlishanTarokoSun Moon Lake

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