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Taiwan Facts & Worksheets

Taiwan, formally the Republic of China, is located in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.

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Taiwan, formally the Republic of China, is located in the northwestern Pacific Ocean at the confluence of the East and South China Seas, bordered by the People’s Republic of China to the northwest, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south. It is around 245 miles long and 90 miles wide at its widest point. Taipei, in the north, is the seat of the Republic of China’s government.

See the fact file below for more information on Taiwan, or you can download our 28-page Taiwan worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY

  • Taiwan was self-governing before the 1600s, with no central ruling body. It was a Dutch colony for nearly 40 years in the early to mid-17th century, then became independent for roughly two decades. China took possession of Taiwan in the late 17th century and governed it for nearly two centuries until the early 19th century. Following the first Sino-Japanese War in 1895, Japan annexed Taiwan and made it a colony.
  • Following Japan’s defeat in World War II, Taiwan returned to Nationalist Chinese rule in 1945. However, in 1949, communist soldiers in China overcame Nationalist forces on the mainland, establishing the People’s Republic of China. The Nationalist government and army retreated to Taiwan, resulting in Taiwan’s secession from China once more.
  • The main island is a slanted fault block, with the eastern two-thirds dominated by five severe mountain ranges along the east coast and the western third dominated by flat to gently undulating plains inhabited by the majority of Taiwan’s population. The tectonic barrier that generated these mountains is still active, and the island is subjected to numerous devastating earthquakes. In addition, there are many active undersea volcanoes in the Taiwan Strait. 

GEOGRAPHY

  • Taiwan’s major seismic faults correspond to the various suture zones between terrains. Throughout the island’s history, these have caused major earthquakes. On September 21, 1999, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake known as the “921 earthquake” killed almost 2,400 people.
  • Taiwan’s climate is subtropical, with the exception of the island’s extreme south, which is tropical. Summers are long and hot, beginning from April to May and ending in September or October. Winters are brief and mild, with snow falling in the mountains and, on occasion, at lower elevations in the north. 
  • Taiwan enjoys an abundance of precipitation throughout the year, with an annual total of roughly 102 inches. Rainfall is generally heavier in the east half of the island, especially in the mountains.
  • Taiwan has a population of around 23.4 million people, and the majority live on the island of Taiwan. The others live on the nearby islands of Penghu (101,758), Kinmen (127,723), and Matsu (12,506).
  • Taiwan’s population consists of four ethnic or subethnic groups: aboriginal peoples, two Taiwanese groups—the Fukien Taiwanese (Fukienese or Hoklo) and the Hakka—and Chinese who arrived from mainland China in the mid-1940s.
  • They were assumed to have relocated to Taiwan from Southeast Asia based on language and culture. However, other academics believed that they may have immigrated from southern China and that a few tribal groups may have had different roots.
  • Following World War II, the mainland Chinese-run government designated Mandarin the official language; it was adopted in schools and government, with traditional Chinese as the writing system.

CULTURE

  • According to the number of adherents, Taiwan’s major faiths include Buddhism, Daoism, Christianity, and Yiguan Dao. Buddhists and Daoists are by far the most numerous groups. Many Taiwanese people are Confucians, albeit Confucianism is not a religion but rather an ethical framework that applies notably to politics and the Chinese intellectual system. 

TAIWAN and CHINA

  • Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China (ROC), is an island in the Taiwan Strait that separates China. Since 1949, it has been ruled autonomously from mainland China, formally as the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
  • Although we commonly refer to the country as China or Mainland China, its official name is the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The Republic of China (ROC) is Taiwan’s official name.
  • China regards self-ruled Taiwan as a separatist colony that will inevitably be absorbed by mainland China. On the other hand, Taiwan perceives itself as separate from the Chinese mainland, with its constitution and freely elected officials.
  • China could try to achieve reunification through non-military ways, such as developing economic connections. However, in a military conflict, China’s military services would outweigh Taiwan’s.
  • Mandarin Chinese has been Taiwan’s official language since 1945, while Taiwanese Hokkien is widely spoken by around 70% of the population. China’s official language is Standard Chinese, a dialect of Mandarin Chinese.
  • Taiwanese people use traditional characters in all forms of written Chinese. Simple Chinese is a simplified variant of conventional characters used in Chinese writing.
  • The Chinese Yuan (CNY) is the currency of the People’s Republic of China, while the New Taiwanese Dollar (NTD) is the present currency of the Republic of China.
  • A single-party authoritarian government or a communist state governs China (PRC). Taiwan (ROC) is a constitutional republic or a representative democracy ruled by President Tsai Ing-wen.

CULTURE and ECONOMY

  • Taiwanese cuisine history is hazy and inextricably linked to migration and colonization trends. Bubble tea originated in Taiwan and has since become a global sensation, with its popularity spreading worldwide. 
  • Tipping is not customary in Taiwan, other than for bellhops in high-end hotels. Full-service restaurants frequently levy a service charge, which is not usually passed on to the personnel. Tipping is not expected in taxis, and drivers normally give you your change up to the last dollar.
  • Baseball is often regarded as Taiwan’s national sport and is an extremely popular spectator sport. Basketball is Taiwan’s second most popular sport, after baseball. Taekwondo was brought to Taiwan in 1966 for military training and has since developed into a mature and effective combat sport. Taiwanese competitors earned the first two Olympic gold medals in the sport.
  • Electronics account for well over half of Taiwan’s trade. The self-governing island is particularly well-known for its semiconductors, a critical component of machines. Furthermore, Taiwan is a major producer of functional and technological textiles. Electronic integrated circuits and related micro assemblies are Taiwan’s most important export. This commodity group accounts for more than a third (34.8%) of total Taiwan shipments by value.
  • Karaoke, which is based on contemporary Japanese culture, is very popular in Taiwan, where it is referred to as KTV. KTV establishments run in a hotel-like fashion, renting out tiny rooms and ballrooms based on the number of people in a group.

SUPERSTITIONS

  • Many in East Asia, where the ROC is located, believe steadfastly in different superstitions and traditional beliefs. Some of these include:
    • Some Taiwanese are superstitious about death, and unfavorable things should never be discussed. One thing to remember is that the number 4  sounds like the Mandarin word for death.
    • A person’s name should not be written in red, as this has a morbid connotation. This is not a problem when writing in English or another language, but avoid writing Chinese names in red.
    • Taiwan does not have a major drinking culture, and it is uncommon to see somebody inebriated on the streets.
    • Do not point to graveyards or tombs. This implies disrespect for the deceased.
    • Before entering a residence, you should take off your shoes. Visitors will find slippers to wear next to the entrance door.
    • Do not whistle or ring bells, especially at night, as this might be a “greeting to invite ghosts.”

TOURISM

  • Many people perceive Taiwan as a grimy, densely inhabited, industrial, isolated country packed with disk factories, and if you only visit the highly populated West Coast, you may well preserve this picture. Those that make an effort to travel to the more underpopulated East Coast will immediately discover that the country is home to some spectacular scenery.
  • It takes only 8 hours to drive around the entire island. The south of Taiwan may also be reached in 2 hours by high-speed train. This means you’ll spend less time driving and more time seeing Taiwan’s breathtaking natural beauty and historical landmarks.
  • Every spring, Yangmingshan, Northern Taiwan’s lone national park is the ideal site in Taipei to enjoy the cherry blossoms.
  • The park also offers other spectacular sights, such as hot springs, hiking trails, and Taiwan’s tallest dormant volcano, Qixing (Seven Star) Mountain.
  • Scuba Diving in Kenting Islands, Kenting is located on Taiwan’s southernmost tip and has numerous popular dive sites that offer both boat and shore dives. 
  • Taiwan’s placement between an oceanic trench and a volcanic system makes it an ideal hot springs holiday destination. Wulai, located south of New Taipei City, is home to the Atayal people and is well-known throughout Taiwan for its hot springs. As a result, it is now a tourist destination, with many visitors coming to relax in the warm waters, learn more about the rich indigenous culture, and explore the amazing surroundings.
  • Taroko National Park gets its name from the magnificent gorge that runs through it, and it is well worth visiting. A 19- kilometer-long canyon crisscrosses the national park on Taiwan’s northeastern coast. Sharp crags rise over valleys of subtropical woods and are home to 144 bird species, 251 butterflies, 32 reptiles, and 30 large mammals.
  • Taipei, Taiwan’s capital, is a fantastic city, with a wealth of activities. It is not just the island’s political and economic center but also its cultural one, with a thriving arts and culture scene.

Taiwan Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Taiwan across 28 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets about Taiwan, formally the Republic of China, located in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.

Complete list of included worksheets:

  • Taiwan Facts
  • What Am I To You?
  • What’s The Truth?
  • Which is Which?
  • Respectfully Religious
  • Unpredictable Unification
  • Taiwan’s Tourism
  • Quake Preparedness
  • Taiwan’s Timeline
  • Small But formidable
  • A Taiwanese Cartoon

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Taiwan famous for?

Taiwan is a country with delicious street food, a famous night market, beautiful sky lanterns, delicious pineapple cakes, and one of the tallest buildings in the world. The people who live there are friendly and open-minded.

What was Taiwan called initially?

Taiwan, known officially as the Republic of China, earned its original name – Formosa – from Portuguese sailors centuries ago.

What did Taiwan invent?

Since its invention in Taiwan during the early 1980s, bubble tea has become a global sensation. It is served either hot or cold and contains a large straw wide enough for those delectable tapioca bubbles to pass through. In addition, vendors use translucent plastic cups that add a layer of aesthetic pleasure to one’s experience of drinking this refreshing beverage.

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Link will appear as Taiwan Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, December 7, 2022

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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