The first westerners to get a glimpse of Portugal claimed to be enthralled with its beauty. In more modern times you can still find the beauty in the mountainous country side of Wulai, or engage in the hustle and the bustle of city life in Taipei; Taiwan has come to represent one of Asia’s most diverse and unique regions. From travellers seeking to get a taste of the delicious cuisine or those looking to embrace their spiritual side, more and more individuals are beginning to realize the variety of attractions and activities this small country has to offer.
Location
Taiwan is located in the Pacific Ocean and is about 100 miles away from the south east part of the mainland China. It also acts as a natural gateway for travellers, who want to explore Asian sub-continent. It is situated in between Korea and Japan to the northern side and in the midway between Hong Kong and Philippines in the south.
Taiwan consists of 14 different islands, the main island being 240 miles in length and 90 miles in width. The entire Island is covered by mountain ranges and the highest mountain range is Yu Shan with a height of 13,113 feet. Out of the total area of Taiwan, two-third of the region is mountainous. The largest city of Taiwan is Taipei.
People
The majority of individuals that live in Taiwan are offspring of people that migrated from mainland China, particularly from the coastal provinces of Guangdong and Fujian. Over the years, the differences between various groups and people here have vanished and the economies have gradually integrated.
Events
The traditional and ethnic Chinese festivals mostly dominate the event calendar of Taiwan. One of the most popularly celebrated is the Chinese new-year. The liveliness of the events creates a jovial mood among all to celebrate each and every event equally.
Weather
The weather in Taiwan is tropical and mostly warm throughout the year. The climate is quite unpredictable during spring and winter, while it is stable during summer and autumn alternatively. It receives rain during the monsoon from June to August. Another unique thing about climate of Taiwan is the sky, which remains cloudy all round the year.
| General | |
| Language | Mandarin, Taiwanese |
| Time Zone | GMT+8 |
| Dialing Code | +886 |
| Electricity | 220V, 50Hz |
| Major Cities | Taipei, Kaohsiung |
| Currency | New Taiwan Dollar |
| Clothing | Depending on the season, summers are mild t-shirt and short sleeve shirts should be packed, whereas in winter overcoat and woolen jackets should be taken. |
| Health Related |
|
| Mortality Rate | 6.87 deaths/ 1000 population |
| Life Expectancy | M 73/ F 79 |
| Patient: Physician Ratio | 577: 1 (2006) |
| Hospitals JCI accredited | 12 |
| Recommended Vaccinations | Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Diphtheria-tetanus, Measles, Varicella, Japanese encephalitis, Yellow fever and Poliomyelitis. |
| Other Infections | HIV, Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome |
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Tourism Related |
|
| Population | 23,142,460 |
| Global Competitiveness | 5.21 |
| Tourism Competitiveness | 4.4/7 |
| GDP/Capita | $17,230 |
| Health and Hygiene | 3.3/7 |
| Safety and Security | 5.5./7 |
| Air Transport Infrastructure | 3.8/7 |
| Tourism Infrastructure | 4.4/7 |
| Cultural Infrastructure | 2.9/7 |
| Visa Requirements | 93/133 |
| Reliability of Police Services | 40/133 |
| Physician Density | 66/133 |
| Hospital Beds | n/a |
| Quality of Air Transport Infrastructure | 32/133 |
| International Air Transport Network | 50/133 |
| Quality of Roads | 20/133 |
| Hotel Rooms | 50/133 |
| Tourism Openness | 87/133 |
| Attitude of Population Towards Foreign Visitors | 62/133 |