Location
and Topography
Taiwan is situated in the pacific ocean about 160 km from the
southeastern coast of the chinese mainland. Located about midway between Korea
and Japan, it is natural gateway for travelers to and within Asia.
Taiwan is 394 km long and 144 km wide. The Central Mountain Range
bisect the country from north to south and about two-thirds of the island is
covered with forested peaks. The rest is made up of foothills, terraced
flatland and coastal plains and basins. Taiwan province includes the Penghu
Archipelago – a group of islands previously known as the Pescadores and 21
other island.
Climate
The climate is
subtropical, with average temperatures of 21 degrees Celsius in the north and
24 degrees Celsius in the south. The rainy seasons, in May and June, typically
heralds the start of summer, summers, which last from May through September,
are usually hot and humid with daytime temperatures from 27- 35 degrees.
Winters from December through February, are short and mild; snow falls only on
the island higher mountains.
In general,
visitors should wear light clothing from April through November; sweaters and
coats are necessary only from December through March and in air-conditioned
places.
Population
Taiwan’s
population exceeds 20 million, which makes the island one of the world’s most
densely populated places. Except for the approximately 325,000 aborigines, the
people of Taiwan originate from the chinese mainland, most from the coastal
province of Fukien.
Religion
The Chinese religious believe system has a guardian deity for
almost every aspect of human life. The Chinese deities revered in Taiwan, along
with significant numbers of Protestants, Roman, Catholics and Muslims.
Languages
Mandarin is the official language in Taiwan, though the others
dialects are also spoken, many people can speak English. Try finding out the
correct pronunciation for your intended destination before you hail a club.
Currency
The Republic of China’s unite of currency is the new Taiwan dollars
(NT$). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at government-designated banks and
hotels. Receipt are given when currency is exchanged and must be presented in
order to exchange unused to NT$ before departure.
Major credit cards are accepted and travelers checks may be cashed
at home tourist-oriented businesses and by room guest at most international
tourist hotel.
Travel
Information
The number of tourist visiting Taiwan has grown up steadily. Among
facilities available to outbound travelers is the Tourism Bureau’s Travel
Information Service Center. Located at the Sungshan Domestic Airport (including
holiday) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., provides travelers with a comprehensive
preview of the principal tourist attractions of the country on their
itineraries. It also acquaints them with the manners; customs and traditions of
the country, basically the Do’s and the Don ts. It advices tourist on
safeguards against the activities of the thieves, swindlers, and others who
specialize in victimizing tourists.
Visitors at the center can view a 25 minute audiovisual
presentation on some of the more outstanding tourist attractions in Taiwan. The
facilities include a big conference hall equipped with audiovisual aids and
several others room, each similarly equipped, and devoted separately to: North
America, Europe, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia and New
Zealand.
Others facilities include a restaurant and a branch of the
international Commercial Bank of China, which handles foreign exchange
transaction. The amount of materials from the 74 contributing countries varies,
but includes films, slides, posters, and more then 2,300 different brochures
and photos. The center also has the tourist information hotline: (02) 717 3737.
It is staffed by four operators fluent in English. Translators for the other
main foreign language can also be called upon. Services include travel
information, emergency assistance for accidents and other crisis situations,
lost and found, and complaints.
