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'''Taiwan''', also '''Formosa''', is an island state and a democracy in East Asia. It had the 20th largest economy in the world in 2012, according to the International Monetary Fund.<ref>Taiwan's GDP for 2012 was $902 billion (PPP).</ref> 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]] in the north of the island.

'''Taiwan''', also '''Formosa''', is an island state and a democracy in East Asia. It had the 20th largest economy in the world in 2012, according to the International Monetary Fund.<ref>Taiwan's GDP for 2012 was $902 billion (PPP).</ref> Neighboring states include China to the west, Japan to the east and northeast, and the Philippines to the south. The capital city is [[Taipei]] in the north of the island. 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.

At the end of Chinese Civil War in 1949, the Nationalists retreated to Taiwan. The United Nations and most non-Communist states continued to recognize the Nationalist regime until 1972, when it was expelled from the U.N. and China's seat was reassigned to Beijing. The Communist government in Beijing claims Taiwan as a renegade province.

The Dutch East India Company had a trading post on Taiwan in the 17th century. Taiwan was acquired by Japan in 1895 as a result of the Sino-Japanese War. It was returned to China in 1945 at the end of World War II. The division between Taiwan and the mainland originated in 1949, when the Nationalist Party, defeated by the Communists in the Chinese Civil War, fled the mainland and relocated to Taiwan.

Taiwan was under marital law from 1949 until 1987. It held its first democratic presidential election in 1996.

 

Taiwan was under marital law from 1949 until 1987. It held its first democratic presidential election in 1996. The ruling Nationalist Party emphasizes the islanders' Chinese identity, while and the opposition Democratic Progressive Party stresses Taiwan's separateness and autonomy.

==People==

==People==

The Examination Yuan (EY) functions as a civil service commission and includes two ministries: the Ministry of Examination, which recruits officials through competitive examination, and the Ministry of Personnel, which manages the civil service. The President appoints the President of the Examination Yuan.  

The Examination Yuan (EY) functions as a civil service commission and includes two ministries: the Ministry of Examination, which recruits officials through competitive examination, and the Ministry of Personnel, which manages the civil service. The President appoints the President of the Examination Yuan.  

===Principal Government Officals===  

===Principal government officals===  

*President--Ma Ying-jeou

*President--Ma Ying-jeou

*Vice President--Wu Den-yih

*Vice President--Wu Den-yih

*Premier--Jiang Yi-huah

*Premier--Jiang Yi-huah

*Vice Premier--Mao Chi-kuo

*Vice Premier--Mao Chi-kuo

*Secretary-General, Executive Yuan--HSIEH Hsiang-chuan

*Secretary-General, Executive Yuan--Hsieh Hsiang-chuan

*Minister of the Interior--LIAO Liou-yi

*Minister of the Interior--Liai Liou-yi

*Minister of Foreign Affairs--Francisco H. L. OU

*Minister of Foreign Affairs--Francisco H. L. OU

*Minister of National Defense--CHEN Chao-min

*Minister of National Defense--Chen Chao-min

*Minister of Finance--LI Sush-der

*Minister of Finance--Li Sush-der

*Minister of Education--CHENG Jei-cheng

*Minister of Education--Cheng Jei-cheng

===Political Conditions===

===Political Conditions===