Taiwan

Taiwan (officially the Republic of China) Pacific island, separated from the se coast of the Chinese mainland by the 160km (100mi) Taiwan Strait.

Land and climate

The republic comprises the main island of Taiwan, several islets, and the Pescadores group. The terrain is mostly mountainous and forested, and the highest peak is Yu Shan at 3997m (13,113ft). The climate is semi-tropical and subject to typhoons.

History

The Portuguese visited the island in 1590, and named it Formosa (‘beautiful’), but in 1641 the Dutch assumed full control. They, in turn, were forced to relinquish control to the Chinese Ming dynasty. In 1683, the Qing dynasty captured Taiwan and immigration increased. It was ceded (1895) to Japan after the first Sino-Japanese War. Following the 1949 mainland victory of the Chinese Communist Party, the vanquished Nationalist Kuomintang government (led by Chiang Kai-shek) and 500,000 troops fled to Taiwan. The new Chinese regime claimed sovereignty over the island, and in 1950 a Chinese invasion was prevented by the US Navy. The Nationalists, with continued US military and financial support, remained resolute. By 1965, the economic success of Taiwan had removed the need for US aid. In 1975, Chiang Kai-shek died and was succeeded by his son, Chiang Ching-Kuo. In 1979, the USA switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. In 1987, martial law was lifted. In 1988, Lee Teng-hui became president. He accelerated the pace of liberalization. In 1996, China despatched missiles close to the Taiwanese coast, reminding the world community of its territorial claims. Lee won the first democratic presidential elections in March 1996, but stood down before the 2000 elections, which were won by Chen Shui-bian of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, ending 50 years of Kuomintang rule.EconomyAgriculture, fishing and forestry are important economic activities, and rice is the principal crop. Spectacular economic growth from the mid-1950s was achieved primarily through low-cost, export-led manufacture of textiles, electrical goods, machinery and transport equipment (2000 GDP per capita, US$12,000).

Political map

Physical map