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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> 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.

'''Taiwan''', also '''Formosa''', is an island state and a democracy in East Asia. In 2012, it had the 20th largest economy in the world, 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.

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.

The Dutch East India Company had a trading post on Taiwan in the 17th century. The island 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.

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 [[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.

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.

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 the opposition Democratic Progressive Party stresses Taiwan's separateness and autonomy.

==People==

==People==