Taiwan

Taiwan is self-governing, with its own elected institutions, currency and administration. The People’s Republic of China claims it; its international status is disputed.

Find Taiwan

● Capital · Gold highlights this card’s area.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.

At a glance

Capital: Taipei
Languages: Mandarin and other national languages
Currency: New Taiwan dollar (TWD)
Population: Not in the selected World Bank seriesNo mainland-China population figures have been substituted.
Area: 36,193 km²13,974 square miles
Political status: Self-governing; claimed by the People’s Republic of China

Taiwan in context

Asia and its surrounding regions. The dot marks Taipei; the mapped territory is highlighted in gold.

Natural Earth · locator map

Geography & languages

Physical geography

Eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west.

Languages

Mandarin is widely used in government and education. Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka, Indigenous languages and Taiwan Sign Language are also recognized and used.

Location

Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China.

Flag

Red field with a dark blue rectangle in the upper-left corner, bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs · institutions

History & status

Taiwan was governed by Japan from 1895 to 1945. After the Chinese civil war, the Republic of China government relocated to Taiwan in 1949. Martial law ended in 1987 and the first direct presidential election took place in 1996. Taiwan governs itself; the People’s Republic of China claims it, and its international status is disputed.

1949
Republic of China government relocates to Taiwan
1987
Martial law ends
1996
First direct presidential election

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs · institutions

Economy

Main activities

Semiconductors, electronics, machinery and services are central. Advanced chip manufacturing makes Taiwan important in global technology supply chains, while imported energy supports industrial production.

Industry and production

electronics, communications and information technology products, petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs · institutions

Government

Multiparty democracy under the Republic of China constitutional framework. A directly elected president, an Executive Yuan led by a premier, and an elected Legislative Yuan form the main national institutions.

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs · institutions

Knowledge check

Three questions about Taiwan.

QUESTION 1 OF 3

Which industry makes Taiwan important to global technology supply chains?

Sources & notes

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs · institutions

Prepared 24 September 2026. World Bank series: SP.POP.TOTL (persons) and NY.GDP.MKTP.KD (constant 2015 US dollars); downloaded 24 September 2026, provider update 13 July 2026. UNDP values use the 2025 report and 2023 observation year. These are dated statistical snapshots, not live population or economic counters.

Maps use Natural Earth geographic data. Background geography, flag descriptions and selected historical facts use archived public-domain CIA World Factbook profiles, supplemented by the sources linked above. The Factbook is no longer updated; dated statistics here come from the separately named providers.