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
Geographic coordinates: 23° 30' N, 121° 0' E
Coastline km: 1,566.3 km km
Climate: tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year
Terrain: eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west
Elevation: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m
Natural hazards: earthquakes and typhoons
Currency: new Taiwan dollar (TWD)
Population: 23,036,087 (July 2006 est.)
Languages: Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects
Capital: Taipei
Divisions: includes main island of Taiwan plus smaller islands nearby and and off coast of China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 18 counties, 5 municipalities, and 2 special municipalities: counties: Chang-hua (Changhua), Chia-i (Chiayi) [county], Hsin-chu (Hsinchu), Hua-lien (Hualien), I-lan (Yilan), Kao-hsiung (Kaohsiung) [county], Kin-men (Kinmen), Lien-chiang (Lienchiang, also Matsu), Miao-li (Miaoli), Nan-t'ou (Nantou), P'eng-hu (Penghu), P'ing-tung (Pingtung), T'ai-chung (Taichung), T'ai-nan (Tainan), T'ai-pei (Taipei) [county], T'ai-tung (Taitung), T'ao-yuan (Taoyuan), and Yun-lin (Yunlin) municipalities: Chia-i (Chiayi) [city], Chi-lung (Keelung), Hsin-chu (Hsinchu), T'ai-chung (Taichung), T'ai-nan (Tainan) special municipalities: Kao-hsiung (Kaohsiung) [city], T'ai-pei (Taipei) [city]