Taiwans

Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is an island state in East Asia. It lies off the southeast coast of mainland China and consists of the main island of Taiwan and several outlying islands, including Kinmen, Matsu, and Penghu. The ROC government administers Taiwan, while the People's Republic of China (PRC) claims sovereignty over all of China, including Taiwan. Since 1949 the ROC has governed Taiwan and operates with its own constitution, elected president, and unicameral legislature, although aspects of its sovereignty are not universally recognized in international law. The political system is a multi-party democracy; the president is the head of state and the premier the head of government.

Taiwan has a highly developed, export-oriented economy focused on technology and manufacturing. It is a global hub for semiconductor fabrication, led by firms such as TSMC, and also produces electronics, machinery, and petrochemicals. The New Taiwan dollar is the currency. Mandarin is the official language, with many residents also speaking Taiwanese Hokkien and Hakka. The population is about 23 to 24 million, concentrated in cities like Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung.

Taiwan's modern history includes democratization in the late 20th century. Internationally, it participates in some organizations under the name Chinese Taipei and maintains informal relations with many countries. Cross-strait relations with the PRC remain a central political issue.