Taiwan

By Kang-Hsin Fan


Taiwan is an island situated in East Asia in the Western Pacific Ocean. It is 245 miles long and 89 miles wide. According to an official report, Taiwan’s population was estimated at 23 million in 2010. Taiwan’s quick industrialization and rapid growth during the latter half of 20th century has transformed itself into an advanced economy as one of the Four Asian Tigers. Technology industrial plays a key role in the global economy. About 4,000 years ago, ancestors of the current Taiwanese aborigines settled in Taiwan. The Spanish landed and occupied northern Taiwan as a base to extend its commercial trading in 1629. The colonial period lasted 16 years until 1642. Japanese forces entered the capital at Taiwan, and quelled this resistance in 1895. Taiwan under Empire of Japan rule ended after it lost WWII and signed the instrument of surrender of Japan 1945. Japanese culture influenced Taiwan by 50 years.

With its high population density and many factories, some areas in Taiwan suffer from heavy pollution. Scooters are a very common means of transportation in Taiwan and contribute to urban air pollution. According to official public transportation report, there are approximately 13 million motor scooters and 5 million cars as of 2010.

Electrical power generation is nearly 55% coal-based, 18% nuclear power, 17% national gas, 5% oil, and 5% from renewable energy sources. Nearly all oil and gas for transportation and power needs must be imported. Taiwan is rich in wind energy resources, with wind farms both onshore and offshore. To some extent, solar energy is also a potential resource.

Over 93% of the Taiwanese population are adherents of a combination of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism; 4.5% are adherents of Christianity; and 2.5% are adherents of others religions, such as Islam. As of 2009, there are 14,993 temples in Taiwan, approximately one place of worship per 1,500 residents.

There are two phenomena in Taiwan. First one is karaoke (KTV), drawn from contemporary Japanese culture, is extremely popular in Taiwan. KTV business operates in a hotel like style, renting out small rooms and ballrooms varying on the number of guests in a group.

References: http://www.gio.gov.tw/