TAIWAN 101 - An Introduction to the Island

An island of approximately 36,000 square kilometers (13,900 square miles; about the size of Maryland and Delaware combined), Taiwan is a country rich in its diverse cultures, ethnic groups, languages, food, religions and ecological environment. Taipei, which is located in northern Taiwan, is the capital of this nation of 23 million people. Besides Taiwanese, the languages of Taiwan include Mandarin Chinese, Hakka, and the various aboriginal dialects spoken by the people of the 13 tribes.

Taiwan lies on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean, between Japan and the Philippines, and off the southeastern coast of China. Tectonic movements, abundant rainfall, the latitude and topography of the island combine to produce a wide range of ecosystems in Taiwan. More than 20% of the 18,400 species of wildlife in Taiwan are rare or endangered species. Six national parks were established throughout the island to preserve the wildlife and the environment.

Traveling in Taiwan is comfortable, as the annual average temperature is 22 degrees Celsius (71.6 Fahrenheit) and the lowest temperatures between 9 to 14 degrees Celsius (48.2- 57.2 Fahrenheit). Snow can only be seen in the high mountain areas, and from March to May the island is refreshed by frequent rainfall.

With its unique geography and history, Taiwan enjoys a multicultural heritage— Spanish, Dutch, Japanese, or, closer to home, Taiwanese aboriginal, and Han Chinese. Which is one more reason why visitors to Taiwan so often come upon the interesting and the unexpected: the solid red bricks of Fort San Domingo in Tamsui (in northern Taiwan) and Fort Zeelandia in Tainan (in southern Taiwan), both built by the Dutch in the 17th century; the cool cellars of the British Consulate built in 1865 in Kaoshing (in southern Taiwan); and the wood-frame Buddhist temples created by the Japanese during their fifty year occupancy (from 1895 to 1945).

When Portuguese sailors first landed in Taiwan in 1517 and aptly named the island “Formosa,” meaning “beautiful”, they were referring to the gorgeous landscape. However, Taiwanese menus also prove to be “heavenly scenery”! Offering or sharing good meals is an essential part of the culture. Take the Taiwanese proverb “Chia beng hong te tua” which means “One is an emperor/empress when he/she is eating.” This suggests just how important good food and eating well are to the Taiwanese. Many Taiwanese restaurants present authentic Taiwanese snacks, delicious Chinese cuisine, Hakka and aboriginal dishes. Others feature the favorite cuisines of Europe, America, and other parts of Asia. From casual night markets to high-end dining, a gourmet tour in Taiwan can be a joyous and delicious theme trip in itself!