- Population:
- 23,214,000
- Religion:
- Ethnic Religions
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is an island nation in East Asia. It is located about 160 kilometers off the southeastern coast of mainland China, across the Taiwan Strait. The main island, also known as Taiwan, covers approximately 36,193 square kilometers, with several smaller islands and archipelagos forming part of its territory. The population is around 23.5 million people as of 2023. The capital and largest city is Taipei. The official language is Mandarin Chinese. Taiwan operates as a multi-party democratic republic with a semi-presidential system. The economy is highly developed and export-oriented, with key industries including electronics, machinery, petrochemicals, and information technology. Taiwan is known for its vibrant culture, bustling night markets, and significant contributions to global technology and manufacturing sectors. Due to complex political status and cross-strait relations, Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations but maintains informal relations with many countries and is a member of international organizations like the World Trade Organization.