Study Abroad in Taiwan
Think of Taiwan and the first thing that will spring
to mind is probably the ‘Made in Taiwan’ labels
attached to so many clothes purchased in the Western world,
which will have no doubt contributed to the perception
of Taiwan as some industrial landscape defined by
hundreds of factories and warehouses, and precious little
else to offer visitors
Taiwan's total land area is only about 3,6000 square
kilometers; it is shaped like a tobacco leaf that is
narrow at both ends. It lies off the southeastern coast
of mainland Asia, across the Taiwan Straits from
Mainland China-- a solitary island on the western edge of
the Pacific Ocean. To the north lies Japan and Okinawa,
to the south is the Philippines. Many airlines fly to
Taiwan, helping make it the perfect travel
destination.
Taiwan lies on the western edge of the Pacific
"rim of fire," and continuous tectonic movements have
created majestic peaks, rolling hills and plains,
basins, coastlines, and other wonders. Taiwan sees
climates of many types: tropical, sub-tropical, and
temperate, providing clear differentiation between the
different seasons. There are about 18,400 species of wildlife
on the island, with more than 20% belonging to rare or
endangered species; among these are the land-locked
salmon, Taiwan mountain goat, Formosan rock monkey,
Formosan black bear, blue magpie, Mikado pheasant,
Hsuehshan grass lizard, and many more.
The government has established 6 national
parks and 13 national scenic areas to preserve Taiwan's
best natural ecological environment and cultural sites.
Take in the splendor and sheer heights of the cliffs
at Taroko Gorge; take a ride on the Alishan train--one
of only three mountain railways in the world--and
experience the breathtaking sunset and sea of clouds; hike
up to the summit of Northeast Asia's highest peak,
Jade Mountain. You can also soak up the sun in Kending,
Asia's version of Hawaii; stand at the edge of Sun Moon
Lake; traipse through the East Rift Valley; or visit
the offshore islands of Kinmen and Penghu. It's fun in
capital letters as well as an awesome journey of
natural discovery!
The cultural aspects also not to be missed.
The blending of Hakka, Taiwanese, and mainland Chinese
cultures has produced a rich plethora of cultural and
social color. Whether it is religion, architecture,
language, living habits, or food, it's just one big
exciting melting pot! Food is the best representative of
this cultural mixing and matching. Aside from cuisines
from different parts of the mainland such as Zhejiang,
Hunan, Guangdong, Yunnan, Shanghai, Beijing, Sichuan,
and others, there is also the local Taiwanese cuisine
as well as the local delicacies of each area.
Population
Taiwan's total population was 22.61 million in
December 2003. In December 2002, Taiwan's population density
was 622 persons per square kilometer, making it the
second highest in the world after Bangladesh. Kaohsiung
City, which covers 154 sq. km, was Taiwan's most
crowded urban area with 9,827 persons per square kilometer.
Taipei City (272 sq. km) was next, with 9,720 persons
per square kilometer; and Taichung City (163 sq. km),
the third most populated area, had 6,099 persons per
square kilometer.
Heavily populated urban areas have grown outside the
official limits of major cities, forming large
metropolitan areas, which are now home to 68.93 percent of
Taiwan's total population. In recent years, however, the
establishment of satellite towns and stronger basic
infrastructure nationwide has slowed the population
influx to urban areas. Among Taiwan's metropolitan areas,
the Jhongli-Taoyuan Greater Metropolitan Area grew the
fastest in 2002, with a population increase of 1.70
percent. The Taichung-Changhua Greater Metropolitan Area
was second with a 1.02 percent growth rate. The
metropolitan area with the highest population remained the
Taipei-Keelung Greater Metropolitan Area, with 6.59
million residents and 42.42 percent of Taiwan's urban
population. The Kaohsiung Greater Metropolitan Area was
second with 2.75 million residents, and the
Taichung-Changhua Greater Metropolitan Area was third, with 2.14
million people.
The earliest census taken in Taiwan recorded the
population at 3.12 million in 1905. After 40 years, the
figure nearly doubled to 6.02 million. In 1964, the
government began encouraging family planning, easing the
pressure on population growth. The natural population
growth rate fell from 3.16 percent in 1961 to 0.68
percent in 1998. Although the figure rose to 0.81 percent
in 2000, it declined to 0.53 percent in 2002 due to a
decrease in the birth rate, which dropped from 1.38
percent to 1.02 percent during the same time period.
Meanwhile, the death rate rose slightly from 0.568 percent
in 2000 to 0.573 percent in 2002.
Clearly, Taiwan's population structure has undergone
great changes over the last few decades. As those born
during the baby boom have now grown up, the
economically productive 15-64 age group had increased to 70.56
percent of the total population by 2002. Meanwhile, the
proportion of dependents dropped from 64 percent in
1975 to 42 percent in 2002.
currency
The Republic of China's unit of currency is the New
Taiwan Dollar (NT$), which has five denominations in
paper money and five in coins. Paper money comes in
NT$2000, NT$1000, NT$500, NT$200, and NT$100 denominations.
Coins come in NT$50, NT$20, NT$10, NT$5 and NT$1
denominations.
Foreign currencies can be exchanged at
government-designated banks and hotels. Receipts are given when
currency is exchanged, and must be presented in order to
exchange unused NT dollars before departure.
Major credit cards such as American Express, Master
Card, Visa, and Diners Club are accepted and traveler's
checks may be cashed at foreign-exchange banks, some
tourist-oriented businesses, and (by room guests) most
international tourist hotels.
To make Taiwan's banknotes and coins more difficult to
counterfeit, on July 1, 2002 the island's Central Bank
of China issued new NT$2,000 notes and discontinued
the circulation of some old notes and coins, as follows:
Notes:
Notes bearing the inscription "Bank of Taiwan" in
denominations of NT$1,000, NT$500, NT$100, and NT$50.
Coins:
Brass-colored NT$50 coins issued in 1992 and 1993,
with a plum blossom and rays of light on the face and
"Fifty Yuan" and "50" on the obverse, and with 50 plum
blossoms on the edge
Taiwan's Education System
In Taiwan, the education of its children is an
important priority.
Since 1968, each child is required to receive nine
years of compulsory education, beginning at the age of
six and continuing for six years of elementary school
education and three years of junior high school.
Upon graduation from junior high school, students
can attend either a senior high school or a senior
vocational school for three years. More specialized
training, beyond the secondary level is provided by five year
junior colleges, which students can directly enter,
once they have graduated from junior high school.
Programs, at these junior colleges will focus on applied
sciences and technology.
Institutions of higher education include two year
junior colleges, technical colleges, liberal arts
colleges, four year universities and graduate schools. Most
university undergraduate programs require four years
of study however, students may receive two year
extensions, in order to fulfill their undergraduate
requirements. Specialized undergraduate programs, like
dentistry will require six years to complete, while medical
school programs require seven years.
The universities and colleges in Taiwan offer a wide
variety of master's and doctoral programs. Graduate
programs leading to a master's degree requires two to
four years to complete, while doctoral degrees usually
require two to seven years for completion. If a
graduate student, is a work-study student, and requires
additional time to complete his/her thesis, then an
extension will be granted.
The field of special education includes programs and
facilities for gifted children, as well as for those
children with special needs, resulting from mental,
physical or learning challenges. Mentally and physically
challenged students will be able to be admitted to
designated schools that are government operated.
Resources classes are also provided for blind and deaf
students, who attend universities or colleges in Taiwan.
Supplementary education is also offered to provide
alternative ways for Taiwan citizens to achieve the
different educational levels, from the elementary to the
college level. Students may obtain their bachelor
degree through radio, television and correspondence
classes that are offered by the Open University.
Economy
Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually
decreasing guidance of investment and foreign trade by
government authorities. In keeping with this trend,
some large government-owned banks and industrial firms
are being privatized. Exports have provided the primary
impetus for industrialization. The trade surplus is
substantial, and foreign reserves are the world's third
largest. Agriculture contributes 2% to GDP, down from
32% in 1952. While Taiwan is a major investor
throughout Southeast Asia, China has become the largest
destination for investment and has overtaken the US to
become Taiwan's largest export market. Because of its
conservative financial approach and its entrepreneurial
strengths, Taiwan suffered little compared with many of
its neighbors from the Asian financial crisis in 1998.
The global economic downturn, combined with problems
in policy coordination by the administration and bad
debts in the banking system, pushed Taiwan into
recession in 2001, the first year of negative growth ever
recorded. Unemployment also reached record levels. Output
recovered moderately in 2002 in the face of continued
global slowdown, fragile consumer confidence, and bad
bank loans. Growing economic ties with China are a
dominant long-term factor. Exports to China - mainly
parts and equipment for the assembly of goods for export
to developed countries - drove Taiwan's economic
recovery in 2002. Although the SARS epidemic, Typhoon Maemi,
corporate scandals, and a drop in consumer spending
caused GDP growth to contract to 3.2% in 2003,
increasingly strong export performance kept Taiwan's economy on
track, and the government expects Taiwan's economy to
grow 4.1% in 2004
Cities
Besides Taipei and Kaohsiung, Taiwan City is listed in
alphabetical order starting from Hsinchu to Taitung
1.Taipei
Taipei, situated at the center of the Taipei Basin of
the Taiwan Province and to the right bank of Danshui
River, is the political, economic, cultural and
educational center of the province and Taiwan's biggest city
as well
2.Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung (Gaoxiong) city is situated at the
southwestern part of Taiwan. Kaohsiung is a beautiful city
well-known for its scenic beauty, a place for sightseeing.
You have the Longevity Hill Park, Zuoying Lotus Pond,
Banping Mountain, Lovers' River and other such scenic
spots as Seawater Outdoor Bathing in the Xizi Bay with
snow-white fine sand beach and dark blue seawater.
There are coconut palms towering into the sky and the
flamboyant trees with red blossom and evergreen graceful
foliage, all of which present a wonderful picture of
radiant and enchanting scene and agreeable weather.
3.Hsinchu
Hsinchu is the oldest city in the northern Taiwan. It
is an important harbor city for both transportation
and trading between northern Taiwan and Mainland China.
The people in Hsinchu have developed traditional
industries (glass and rice noodles) and prosperous
commercial activities.
4.Hualien
Hualien is the Largest city in Taiwan. It is
one-eighth the size of Taiwan (4628 square km.). The present
population is approximately 350,000 with a population
density of 72 persons per sq. km. Hualien County's
jurisdiction includes one city, two townships and ten minor
townships
5.Keelung
Keelung's most popular dining spot is Miaokou (Temple
Mouth), a large cluster of food stands selling fruit,
seafood, chicken rolls, and other Taiwanese snacks and
desserts. The temple is Shengwang Temple, which
enshrines the Divine Ancestor of the people of Changchou in
Fukien province's the area from which a major portion
of Taiwan's early settlers came.
6.Kenting
Kenting is situated in the southern tip of Taiwan. It
is composed of over 17,700 hectares of land, and is
surrounded by 14,900 hectares of ocean. Strong winds
blow in from the Phillipine Sea and over the white sandy
beaches that are dispersed along the coast of Kenting.
A lush tropical forest that has developed under the
ever-sunny weather awaits your exploration
7.Taichung
Taichung City, center of economy, communication and
culture in the middle of Taiwan Province, is the third
biggest city of the Province as well. Situated at the
center of the Taichung Basin, west part of the Taiwan
Island
8.Tainan
Tainan has, as a well-known historic ancient city,
preserved many important cultural relics and places of
historic interest. There are 166 temples and monasteries
and more than 40 Christian and Catholic churches in
the city. "There is a God at every five steps" and "a
temple at three", as the metaphor goes. Over 70 places
are classified as first, second and third-grade places
of historic interest, such as Chiqian Mansion, Anping
Castle, Confucian Temple, Temple to the God of War and
Da Tian Hou Palace etc
9.Taoyuan
Taoyuan is in the west of the Taipei City. It is
famous of its international airport -The Chiang Kai-shek
International Airport. As the gateway to Taiwan, the
airport is like a small city offering a full range of
services.
10.Taitung
Taitung is located in the East-South part of Taiwan
Island, face to the south Pacific Ocean and backed by
the Central Mountain Range, narrow in horizontal and
long in vertical. The size is around 3,515 square
kilometers. It is the 3rd largest county of Taiwan, in size.
Green Island and Orchid Island are the two pearls of
Taitung. Taitung has many features that attract
hundreds of thousands of visitors and tourists each year.
A large majority of people in Taiwan speak Mandarin
Chinese, which has been the medium of instruction in the
schools for more than four decades. Native Taiwanese
and many others also speak one of the Southern
Fujianese dialects, Min-nan, also known as Taiwanese.
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