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The '''Republic of China''' (ROC) has been the reigning government on [[Taiwan]] since 1949.  

'''Taiwan''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 臺灣 or 台灣; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 台湾; [[Hanyu Pinyin]]: Táiwān), sometimes known as '''Formosa''' is an island in East Asia and has served as the seat of the [[Republic of China]] on Taiwan since 1949. Known for its natural beauty, the country is 245 miles long and 89 miles wide, with a steep central mountain range and plains on the west coast. 

The capital city is [[Taipei]] ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 臺北 or 台北; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 台北; [[Hanyu Pinyin]]: Táiběi）in the north of the island, territory originally inhabited by Ketagalan tribes.  

The capital city is [[Taipei]] ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 臺北 or 台北; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 台北; [[Hanyu Pinyin]]: Táiběi）in the north of the island, territory originally inhabited by Ketagalan tribes.  

The government on [[mainland China]] has never recognize the ROC, insisting that "[[China]]" governs both the mainland and Taiwan. Most countries go along with this fiction, for the sake of smooth diplomatic relations.  

The government on [[mainland China]] has never recognize the ROC, insisting that "[[China]]" governs both the mainland and Taiwan. Most countries go along with this fiction, for the sake of smooth diplomatic relations.  

====Education====  

==People==

A 9-year public educational system has been in effect since 1979. Six years of elementary school and 3 years of junior high are compulsory for all children. About 96.2% of junior high graduates continue their studies in either a senior high or vocational school. Taiwan has an extensive higher education system with 163 institutions of higher learning. Each year, about 170,000 students attempt to enter higher education institutes; about 69% of the candidates are admitted to a college or university. Opportunities for graduate education are expanding in Taiwan, but many students travel abroad for advanced education. In FY 2006, over 16,000 U.S. student visas were issued to Taiwan passport holders.  

Taiwan has a population of 23 million. Numbering more than 18 million, the "native" Taiwanese, are descendants of migrants from Fujian and Guangdong Provinces on the mainland, primarily in the 18th and 19th centuries. The "mainlanders," who arrived in Taiwan after 1945, came from all parts of [[mainland China]]. About 485,000 "Aborigines" (indigenous peoples of Taiwan who have not mixed with other peoples in recent times) inhabit the mountainous central and eastern parts of the island and are believed to be of Malayo-Polynesian origin. Of Taiwan's total population, approximately one million, or 4.4%, currently reside in mainland China.

*Languages: Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese, Hakka.

*Health: Infant mortality rate (2006)--0.46%. Life expectancy (2006)--77.46 yrs; male 74.57 yrs.; female 80.81 yrs.  

*Work force (2007): 10.7 million.

====Languages====  

====Language====  

Mandarin Chinese is the official language of Taiwan and has been the medium of instruction in Taiwanese schools for more than five decades. However, most Taiwanese (especially native Taiwanese) speak one of the Southern Fujianese languages, Min-nan, also known as Taiwanese as their first language. Recently there has been a growing use of Taiwanese in the broadcast media. The Hakka, who are concentrated in several counties throughout Taiwan, have their own distinct language. As a result of more than half a century of Japanese rule, many older people can also speak Japanese. The method of Chinese romanization most commonly used in Taiwan is the Wade-Giles system. In 2002, Taiwan authorities announced adoption of a variant of the pinyin system used in mainland China to replace the Wade-Giles system, but its use is not consistent throughout society, often resulting in two or more romanizations for the same place or person. Min-nan, Hakka, and Mandarin chinese are all part of a common chinese lnaguage family. Japanese is not.

Mandarin Chinese is the official language of Taiwan and has been the medium of instruction in Taiwanese schools for more than five decades. However, most Taiwanese (especially native Taiwanese) speak one of the Southern Fujianese languages, Min-nan, also known as Taiwanese as their first language. Recently there has been a growing use of Taiwanese in the broadcast media. The Hakka, who are concentrated in several counties throughout Taiwan, have their own distinct language. As a result of more than half a century of Japanese rule, many older people can also speak Japanese. The method of Chinese romanization most commonly used in Taiwan is the Wade-Giles system. In 2002, Taiwan authorities announced adoption of a variant of the pinyin system used in mainland China to replace the Wade-Giles system, but its use is not consistent throughout society, often resulting in two or more romanizations for the same place or person. Min-nan, Hakka, and Mandarin chinese are all part of a common chinese lnaguage family. Japanese is not.

====Religions====  

====Religion====  

According to Taiwan's Interior Ministry figures, there are about 11.2 million religious believers in Taiwan, with more than 75% identifying themselves as Buddhists or Taoists. At the same time, there is a strong belief in traditional folk religion throughout the island. These are not mutually exclusive, and many people practice a combination of the three. Confucianism also is an honored school of thought and ethical code. Christian churches have been active on Taiwan for many years, and today, the island has more than 600,000 Christians, a majority of whom are Protestant.  

According to Taiwan's Interior Ministry figures, there are about 11.2 million religious believers in Taiwan, with more than 75% identifying themselves as Buddhists or Taoists. At the same time, there is a strong belief in traditional folk religion throughout the island. These are not mutually exclusive, and many people practice a combination of the three. Confucianism also is an honored school of thought and ethical code. Christian churches have been active on Taiwan for many years, and today, the island has more than 600,000 Christians, a majority of whom are Protestant.  

====Culture====

====Culture====

Taiwan's culture is a blend of  Chinese, Japanese, local Taiwanese and Western influences. Fine arts, folk traditions, and popular culture embody traditional and modern, Asian, and Western motifs. One of Taiwan's greatest attractions is the Palace Museum, which houses over 650,000 pieces of Chinese bronze, jade, calligraphy, painting, and porcelain. This collection was moved from the mainland in 1949 when Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist Party (KMT) fled to Taiwan. The collection is so extensive that only 1% is on display at any one time.  

Taiwan's culture is a blend of  Chinese, Japanese, local Taiwanese and Western influences. Fine arts, folk traditions, and popular culture embody traditional and modern, Asian, and Western motifs. One of Taiwan's greatest attractions is the Palace Museum, which houses over 650,000 pieces of Chinese bronze, jade, calligraphy, painting, and porcelain. This collection was moved from the mainland in 1949 when Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist Party (KMT) fled to Taiwan. The collection is so extensive that only 1% is on display at any one time.  

==Government==

==Government==