Flag of Taiwan

Flag of Taiwan

中華民國

Republic of China (Taiwan)

Facts

  • Population » 23.6 million (est. 2023)
  • Major languages » Mandarin Chinese (official), Min Nan Chinese (Taiwanese), Hakka
  • Major religions » Buddhist 35.3%, Taoist 33.2%, Christian 3.9%
  • Life expectancy » 78.4 years (men), 84.5 years (women)
  • Currency » New Taiwan dollar
  • Country Code » +886
  • Internet TLD » .tw

Geography

  • Area » 36,188 sq km (13,972 sq miles)
  • An island state in East Asia, approximately 160 km off the coast of China.
  • Taiwan is located adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait – considered strategic importance
  • Highest point » Yu Shan 3,952 m
Map of Taiwan

Map of Taiwan

Maps

Tourism

  • Canadians do not require tourist or business visas for stays of up to 90 days.
    • Once in Taiwan, Canadians may extend their stay for an additional 90 days by placing a request with the Taiwanese Bureau of Consular Affairs.
    • Similarly, a visa is not required by UK, EU, US, NZ, Australian and some other nationalities for up to 90 days.
  • ROC Embassies and Missions Abroad (Taiwan)

Climate

  • Rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August);
  • Persistent and extensive cloudiness all year

Overlanding

  • From Taipei (台北) to Kaohsiung (高雄), this island nation has a lot to offer in a small package
  • Eastern two-thirds is mostly rugged mountain terrain; flat to gently rolling plains in west
  • Mountain roads are narrow, winding and poorly banked. Some roads can become impassable due to heavy rain and landslides during the monsoon and typhoon seasons.
  • Cannot find any ferry to Taiwan except from China (2019)
    • Ferry from Okinawa, Japan stopped in 2008.
    • Note: If travelling by ferry from China, you must already have a double-entry visa for China, prior to reaching Taiwan. There are no Chinese embassies in Taiwan. You will not be able to get a Chinese visa once in Taiwan.

Notes

  • Oysters and shellfish are a mainstay of Taiwanese cuisine. (Shellfish Allergy Alert)
  • Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalise gay marriage.
  • Taiwan is the global leader in semiconductor production, with a 20 per cent share of the total global capacity, 37 per cent of the world’s logic semiconductors production capacity, and 92 per cent of the world’s advanced logic semiconductors production capacity.

Safety and Security

Health

  • Alergie Watch » Oysters and shellfish are a mainstay of Taiwanese cuisine.

Government Travel Advice

Resources

This page was updated August 31, 2023