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Description:
Though the Republic of China's territory includes dozens of small
islands in the Taiwan Strait and the Pacific, the main island known as
Taiwan covers the vast majority of the land area under Taiwanese
administration. Almost two-thirds of Taiwan is covered by mountains,
with 258 peaks over 3,000m (9,850ft), most of them heavily forested.
The highest of these, Yushan (Jade Mountain), is northeast Asia's
tallest mountain at 3,952m (13,042ft).
22.8 million (official figure 2006).
As is the case in mainland China, the
official language of Taiwan is Mandarin Chinese, commonly referred
to as guoyu (��?national language'). However, the native Taiwanese
tongue, alternatively called taiyu or minnan hua, is still widely
spoken as a first language by the island's dominant ethnic group,
which originally hails from China's southern Fujian province.
Climate:
A subtropical climate with moderate temperatures in the north,
where there is a winter season. The southern areas, where
temperatures are slightly higher, enjoy sunshine every day, and
there is no winter season. The typhoon season is from June to
October.
Economy - overview:
Taiwan was one of the first 'tiger economies' of the Pacific
basin, enjoying phenomenal growth from the 1950s onwards.
Its success was built on a policy of rapid industrialisation coupled
with low overheads and labour costs rather than raw materials, of
which there is a dearth. Massive foreign currency reserves
accumulated over the years have since helped Taiwan to minimise the
effects of turbulence in the world economy.
After a brief recession in 2000/01, the economy is growing at a
healthy rate (5.5% in 2007). The performance of the Taiwanese
economy is significantly affected by external political and economic
conditions, especially in China (PR). In January 2002, Taiwan was
admitted to the World Trade Organisation.
Economy:
Taiwan was one of the first 'tiger economies' of the Pacific
basin, enjoying phenomenal growth from the 1950s onwards.
Its success was built on a policy of rapid industrialisation coupled
with low overheads and labour costs rather than raw materials, of
which there is a dearth. Massive foreign currency reserves
accumulated over the years have since helped Taiwan to minimise the
effects of turbulence in the world economy.
After a brief recession in 2000/01, the economy is growing at a
healthy rate (5.5% in 2007). The performance of the Taiwanese
economy is significantly affected by external political and economic
conditions, especially in China (PR). In January 2002, Taiwan was
admitted to the World Trade Organisation.
electronics, petroleum refining,
chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food
processing
Exports:
Computer products, electrical equipment, metals, plastic and
rubber products, and chemicals.
• Main trade partners: Australia, China (PR), Germany, Hong Kong (SAR)
and Japan.
Imports:
Machinery and electrical equipment, minerals and precision
instruments.
Exchange rates:
New Taiwan Dollar (TWD; symbol NT$) = 100 cents. Notes are in
denominations of NT$TWD2,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins are in
denominations of NT$50, 20, 10, 5 and 1.
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/273/money/Far-East-Asia/Taiwan.html
Exchange Rates
GDP :
US$375.6 billion (2007).
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