Total area: 35,980 sq km (13,892 sq mi)
Population (2010 est.): 23,024,956
Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Taipei - 7,871,900 (metro. area)
Other large cities: Kaohsiung - 1,514,900; Tai Chung - 1,069,900; Tainan - 755,800; Keelung - 410,500
Currency: Taiwan dollar
Languages: Chinese (Mandarin, official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects
Ethnicity: Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2%
Religions: mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%
Time zone: GMT+8; Daylight Saving Time is not observed
Electricity: AC 110/60Hz; American type plugs are used
Taiwan is an island situated in East Asia in the Pacific Ocean,
off the southeastern coast of mainland China, separated from the Asian continent by
the 120 kilometres (75 mi) wide Taiwan Strait. Northeast of Taiwan is the Okinawa Island (Japan), south of Taiwan, across the Bashi Channel, are the Philippines.
With its 23 million people Taiwan is one of the most densely populated places in the world. Since 1949 the island is governed by the Republic of China that also governs the Pescadores (Penghu), Quemoy (Kinmen/Jinmen), and Matsu.
The west of the island is dominated by flat to rolling plains that are inhabited by most of Taiwan's population.
The east and central parts (covering two thirds of the island) are mountainous, with five mountain ranges funning from north to south. There over 100 peaks over 3,000 m (9,843 ft) tall, the highest point is Yu Shan at 3,952 m (12,966 ft).
