Taiwan is a tear-drop shaped island with a total area of 36,000 sq km (14,400 sq mi). It is located in southeast Asia among the island chains of eastern Asia, and is bordered in the west by the Pacific Ocean. Taiwan’s northern neighbors are Japan and the Ryukyu Islands, while the Philippines are in the south.
Due to the convenience of air travel and small flying distances, Taiwan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia.
In the past 50 years, Taiwan gave rise to the world famous Economic Miracle. Products made in Taiwan figure large on the global market, and rank in the top 14 trading countries of the the world. Taiwan is also the primary nation of foreign investment from China and many southeast Asian countries.
1. People and Geography
Taiwan’s official jurisdiction includes the, Penghu Islands, Kinmen, Matsu, the Dongsha Islands and Nansha Islands(total area of 36,179 sq km). The total population of Taiwan, the Penghu Islands, Kinmen andMatsu is22.52 million as of December 2002. The population density is 625 persons per sq km. Among Taiwan‘s inhabitants, the Han people form the largest ethnic group, making up 98 percent of Taiwan’s population. The other 2 percent include the 12 indigenous tribes and other aborigine minorities.
2. Environment
Two thirds of Taiwan ‘s island is mountain and forest while the remaining third consists of foothills, highlands, plains and basins. The Central Mountain range extends from the north to the south within the island and forms the source of Taiwan’s rivers. In the east is Jade Mountains, the highest in northeastern Asia. Taiwan’s climate is tropical and extremely humid all year. The annual rainfall is, on average, 2,500 mm. Three major features of Taiwan’s climate are warm winters, hot summers and abundant rainfall.
3. Culture
Since 1949, Taiwan has worked hard to become a modern and multi-cultural society. Adopting a pioneering spirit, Taiwan has promoted inter-ethnic competition and integration as well preserving tradition. Taiwan is the focal point of Chinese traditional culture and fine arts. Besides the conservation of Chinese antiquities at the National Palace Museum, some exemplary illustrations of Taiwanese culture include:
a. Temples and Architecture：
Taiwan traditional architecture is the repository of the folk arts. These include colorful ink painting, calligraphy, woodcarving, stone-carving, clay sculpture, ceramics and colorful ceramic figurines. The most celebrated and ancient of Taiwan’s temples are the Lin Family Mansion and Garden in PanChiao, Longshan Temple at Lukang, Tianhou Temple and Chau Tien Temple at Peikang.
b. Folk Culture and Arts：
The important festivals of Taiwan include the Lunar New Year, the Lantern Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, Chihsi (Chinese Valentine’s Day), and the Ghost Festival. In addition to traditional Chinese opera, Taiwan has successfully developed national interest in Taiwanese opera and puppetry.
4. Taiwan’s population structure
a. Population and Growth Rate in Taiwan
Taiwan’s population was 22,615,307 at the end of 2004. Compared to the end of 2003, an increase in population by 80,546 shows an annual growth rate of 3.57% for 2004 From 1998 to 2002, the country with the highest average annual growth rate of population was Singapore with 20% (see Figure 1.1). Taiwan ranks as the fourth nation at 3.67% of average growth rate of population. Population growth is related to immigration.
b. Population Composition in Taiwan
The population in June2003 consisted of 11,500,236 of men and 11,062,426 of women. The sex ratio of men to women is 100 women to 104 men. Dependent persons make up 29.25% of population. The dependence rate of minors ( persons aged under 15) is 28.43%, while the dependence rate of those aged 15 to 64 is 13%. Those aged over 65 consisteds 9% of the population) in 2003.
5. Vital Statistics
a. Average Life Expectancy in Taiwan
Since the high development of medical technology and the growing emphasis onhealth, the age of people in every country is increasing. In Taiwan, the average life expectancy of women in 2004 was f 79.4, while the age for men was 73.6.
b. Ten Major Causes of Death in Taiwan
No.1 Malignant Tumor (27.2), No.2 Cardiac Disease(9.62) No.3 Cerebro-vascular Disease (9.23), No.4 Diabetes (6.88), No.4 Disease (6.88), No.5 Injury (6.32), No.6 Pneumonia (4.14), No.7 Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis (4.00), No.8 Nephritis, Nephrotic Syndrome and Nephrosis (3.50), No.9 Suicide (2.59), No.10 Cardiac Disease (1.35) Figure 1.2 Top Ten Causes of Death in Taiwan in 2004 Figure 1.2 Top Ten Causes of Death in Taiwan in 2004
c. Health Expenditure
Taiwan ‘s NHE in 2003 was approximately USD 795 per capita. Of this figure, nearly 90% was allotted topersonal medicine. This percentage consists of 39.92% to hospital expenses, 30.46% to clinic costs, and 13.42% to the purchase by families of medical products and equipment.
In 2003, Taiwan’s NHE consisted of 6.27% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Compared to other countries, the rate is low. The United States’ rate is the highest with 14.6%, and the lowest of rate is South Korea is 5.1% (among OECD nations). Both the United Kingdom and Japan had rates of NHE to GDP of 7.7% and 7.8% respectively in 2003 (see Figure 1.3).