Changes

{{Country

{{Country

|name          =Republic of China (Taiwan)

|name          =Republic of China (Taiwan)<ref>See [http://english.president.gov.tw Office of the President, Republic of China (Taiwan)] and [http://www.mofa.gov.tw/enofficial Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan)].</ref>

|map         =Republic of China loc.png

|map         =Republic of China loc.png

|flag         =Flag of Taiwan ROC.png

|flag         =Flag of Taiwan ROC.png

|tld            =

|tld            =

}}

}}

'''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.   

'''Taiwan''', also '''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]] 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.  

*Work force (2007): 10.7 million.

*Work force (2007): 10.7 million.

====Language====  

====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.