Taiwan is situated off the southeastern coast of China. Xiamen in Fujian province, Mainland China, is the closest city across the Taiwan Straits. The climate is subtropical with a typhoon season from June to September. The typhoon Morakot hit the southern part of Taiwan in August 7 - 9, 2009, unleashing 3,000 millimeters of rainfall (the annual average for this part of Taiwan). Beautiful mountainous areas with major tourist attractions including Indigenous communities have been washed away. Its position on the boundaries of the Eurasian and Philippine tectonic plates makes Taiwan vulnerable to earthquakes. Volcanic activity is apparent everywhere as the island is dotted with volcanic hot springs. There are small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble and asbestos.

It has a total land area of 36.000 sq km, a population of 23 million and a GDP p.c. of US$ 32.489 (2008). Their foreign trade is 72% of their GDP. Its 4.8 million broadband internet subscribers (March 2008) situates Taiwan as being very modern. Taiwan laptop makers hold 90% of the global market share and have a unique disintegrated infrastructure in the semiconductor industry. Taiwan has 18% of the market share in Online Games in the Asia - Pacific region. All industries are undergoing transformation to improve added value and their position on the value chain. Taiwan's strategic location in relation to both Taiwan Strait and Luzon Strait is highly beneficial enabling rapid transportation (air or sea) to other cities in the region at low cost. Agreements were signed in November 2008 between Taiwan and China to improve business and communication through direct flights, cargo and passenger, maritime shipping and postal services. Every day schedule flights are now launched, September 2009, between Mainland China and Taiwan.

Mandarin is the official and principle language of Taiwan, Taiwanese is spoken by an important minority and Hakka as a dialect. Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism are practiced throughout the island; there is also a small Christian population. All children receive nine years free and compulsory education. 99% of the population is covered by the national health insurance.

Since May 2008; elected Chief of State: President MA Ying-jeou, Vice President Vincent SIEW, Head of Government, since September 10: Premier (president of the executive Yuan) WU Den-yih, Vice Premier Eric CHU