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'''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.

'''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. 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 current 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 current 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 Nationalist China until 1971, when the Nationalists were expelled from the U.N. China's seat was then 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 Nationalist China until 1971, when the Nationalists were expelled from the U.N. China's seat was then reassigned to Beijing. The communist government in Beijing claims Taiwan as a renegade province.

Taiwan was under marital law from 1948 until 1987. During this period, Taiwan was a one-party state and opposition political activity was not permitted. The country held its first democratic presidential election in 1996. The ruling Nationalist Party emphasizes the islanders' Chinese identity. The opposition Democratic Progressive Party stresses "Taiwanization" and promotes the use of the name "Taiwan," as opposed to "[[Republic of China]]."

Taiwan was under marital law from 1948 until 1987. During this period, Taiwan was a one-party state and opposition political activity was not permitted. The country held its first democratic presidential election in 1996. The ruling Nationalist Party emphasizes the islanders' Chinese identity. The opposition Democratic Progressive Party stresses "Taiwanization" and promotes the use of the name "Taiwan," as opposed to "[[Republic of China]]."

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Mandarin 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, Minnan, 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. Minnan, Hakka, and Mandarin are all part of the Chinese language family. Japanese is not.

Mandarin 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, Minnan, 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. In 2002, Taiwan authorities announced adoption of a variant of the pinyin system of romanization used in China. Minnan, Hakka, and Mandarin are all part of the Chinese language family. Japanese is not.

====Religion====  

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