2013 Edition

Background

In 1895, military defeat forced China's Qing Dynasty to cede Taiwan to Japan. Taiwan came under Chinese Nationalist control after World War II. Following the communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1947 constitution drawn up for all of China. Beginning in the 1950s, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the local population within the governing structure. This process expanded rapidly in the 1980s. In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party. Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic "Tigers." The dominant political issues continue to be the relationship between Taiwan and China - specifically the question of Taiwan's eventual status - as well as domestic political and economic reform.

Area

35,980 sq km 32,260 sq km 3,720 sq km includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy islands

total

35,980 sq km

water

3,720 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined

Climate

tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year

Coastline

1,566.3 km

Elevation extremes

South China Sea 0 m Yu Shan 3,952 m

highest point

Yu Shan 3,952 m

lowest point

South China Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal

Environment - international agreements

none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status

party to

none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status

Geographic coordinates

23 30 N, 121 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

24% 1% 75% (2011)

arable land

24%

other

75% (2011)

permanent crops

1%

Location

Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

earthquakes; typhoons Kueishantao Island (elev. 401 m), east of Taiwan, is its only historically active volcano, although it has not erupted in centuries

volcanism

Kueishantao Island (elev. 401 m), east of Taiwan, is its only historically active volcano, although it has not erupted in centuries

Natural resources

small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos

Terrain

eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west

Total renewable water resources

67 cu km (2011)

Age structure

14.3% (male 1,722,887/female 1,609,813) 13.7% (male 1,638,424/female 1,549,415) 47.7% (male 5,562,031/female 5,553,318) 12.7% (male 1,450,513/female 1,509,359) 11.6% (male 1,262,939/female 1,441,017) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

14.3% (male 1,722,887/female 1,609,813)

15-24 years

13.7% (male 1,638,424/female 1,549,415)

25-54 years

47.7% (male 5,562,031/female 5,553,318)

55-64 years

12.7% (male 1,450,513/female 1,509,359)

65 years and over

11.6% (male 1,262,939/female 1,441,017) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

8.61 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Death rate

6.83 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, indigenous 2%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

4.55 deaths/1,000 live births 4.96 deaths/1,000 live births 4.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

4.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

4.55 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects

Life expectancy at birth

79.71 years 76.58 years 83.06 years (2013 est.)

female

83.06 years (2013 est.)

total population

79.71 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 96.1% NA NA (2003)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

NA (2003)

male

NA

total population

96.1%

Median age

38.7 years 38 years 39.4 years (2013 est.)

female

39.4 years (2013 est.)

male

38 years

total

38.7 years

Nationality

Taiwan (singular and plural) example - he or she is from Taiwan; they are from Taiwan Taiwan (or Taiwanese)

adjective

Taiwan (or Taiwanese)

noun

Taiwan (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Population

23,299,716 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

0.27% (2013 est.)

Religions

mixture of Buddhist and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%

Sex ratio

1.07 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.07 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.06 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.89 male(s)/female

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.11 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Administrative divisions

includes main island of Taiwan plus smaller islands nearby and off coast of China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 14 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 3 municipalities (shih, singular and plural), and 5 special municipalities (chih-hsia-shih, singular and plural) Taiwan uses a variety of romanization systems; while a modified Wade-Giles system still dominates, the city of Taipei has adopted a Pinyin romanization for street and place names within its boundaries; other local authorities use different romanization systems; names for administrative divisions that follow are taken from the Taiwan Yearbook 2007 published by the Government Information Office in Taipei. Changhua, Chiayi (county), Hsinchu (county), Hualien, Kinmen, Lienchiang, Miaoli, Nantou, Penghu, Pingtung, Taitung, Taoyuan, Yilan, Yunlin Chiayi (city), Hsinchu (city), Keelung (city) Kaohsiung (city), New Taipei (city), Taichung (city), Tainan (city), Taipei (city)

counties

Changhua, Chiayi (county), Hsinchu (county), Hualien, Kinmen, Lienchiang, Miaoli, Nantou, Penghu, Pingtung, Taitung, Taoyuan, Yilan, Yunlin

municipalities

Chiayi (city), Hsinchu (city), Keelung (city)

special municipalities

Kaohsiung (city), New Taipei (city), Taichung (city), Tainan (city), Taipei (city)

Capital

Taipei 25 02 N, 121 31 E UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

25 02 N, 121 31 E

name

Taipei

time difference

UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

previous 1912, 1931; latest adopted 25 December 1946, promulgated 1 January 1947, effective 25 December 1947; revised several times, last in 2005 (2013)

Country name

none Taiwan none Taiwan Formosa

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Taiwan

former

Formosa

local long form

none

local short form

Taiwan

Diplomatic representation from the US

none; commercial and cultural relations with the people on Taiwan are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts Christopher J. MARUT #7 Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3, Taipei 106, Taiwan [1] [886] (02) 2162-2000 [1] [886] (02) 2162-2251 Kaohsiung

director

Christopher J. MARUT

FAX

[1] [886] (02) 2162-2251

office

#7 Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3, Taipei 106, Taiwan

other offices

Kaohsiung

telephone

[1] [886] (02) 2162-2000

Diplomatic representation in the US

none; commercial and cultural relations with the people in the United States are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts KING Pu-tsung 4201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 [1] 202 895-1800 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Houston, Honolulu, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle

office

4201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016

representative

KING Pu-tsung

Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices (branch offices)

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Houston, Honolulu, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle

telephone

[1] 202 895-1800

Executive branch

President MA Ying-jeou (since 20 May 2008); Vice President WU Den-yih (since 20 May 2012) Premier JIANG Yi-huah (President of the Executive Yuan) (since 18 February 2013); Vice Premier MAO Chi-kuo (Vice President of the Executive Yuan) (since 18 February 2013) Executive Yuan - ministers appointed by president on recommendation of premier president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 14 January 2012 (next to be held in January 2016); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier MA Ying-jeou elected president; percent of vote - MA Ying-jeou 51.6%, TSAI Ing-wen 45.6%, James SOONG Chu-ye 2.8%

cabinet

Executive Yuan - ministers appointed by president on recommendation of premier

chief of state

President MA Ying-jeou (since 20 May 2008); Vice President WU Den-yih (since 20 May 2012)

election results

MA Ying-jeou elected president; percent of vote - MA Ying-jeou 51.6%, TSAI Ing-wen 45.6%, James SOONG Chu-ye 2.8%

elections

president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 14 January 2012 (next to be held in January 2016); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier

head of government

Premier JIANG Yi-huah (President of the Executive Yuan) (since 18 February 2013); Vice Premier MAO Chi-kuo (Vice President of the Executive Yuan) (since 18 February 2013)

Flag description

red field with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays; the blue and white design of the canton (symbolizing the sun of progress) dates to 1895; it was later adopted as the flag of the Kuomintang Party; blue signifies liberty, justice, and democracy; red stands for fraternity, sacrifice, and nationalism, white represents equality, frankness, and the people's livelihood; the 12 rays of the sun are those of the months and the twelve traditional Chinese hours (each ray equals two hours)

Government type

multiparty democracy

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ADB, APEC, BCIE, ICC (national committees), IOC, ITUC (NGOs), WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and approximately 100 judges organized into 8 civil and 12 criminal divisions, each with a division chief justice and 4 associate justices); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 13 justices) both Supreme Court and Constitutional Court justices appointed by the president of the republic with the approval of the Legislative Yuan; Supreme Court justices appointed for life; Constitutional Court president, vice-president, and 8 grand justices serve 4-year terms and remaining justices serve 8-year terms high courts; district courts; hierarchy of administrative courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and approximately 100 judges organized into 8 civil and 12 criminal divisions, each with a division chief justice and 4 associate justices); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 13 justices)

judge selection and term of office

both Supreme Court and Constitutional Court justices appointed by the president of the republic with the approval of the Legislative Yuan; Supreme Court justices appointed for life; Constitutional Court president, vice-president, and 8 grand justices serve 4-year terms and remaining justices serve 8-year terms

subordinate courts

high courts; district courts; hierarchy of administrative courts

Legal system

civil law system

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Yuan (113 seats - 73 district members elected by popular vote, 34 at-large members elected on basis of proportion of islandwide votes received by participating political parties, 6 elected by popular vote among aboriginal populations; members to serve four-year terms); parties must receive 5% of vote to qualify for at-large seats Legislative Yuan - last held on 14 January 2012 (next to be held in January 2016) Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - KMT 44.6%, DPP 34.6%, TSU 9.0%, PFP 5.5%, others 6.3%; seats by party - KMT 64, DPP 40, PFP 3, TSU 3, NPSU 2, independent 1

election results

Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - KMT 44.6%, DPP 34.6%, TSU 9.0%, PFP 5.5%, others 6.3%; seats by party - KMT 64, DPP 40, PFP 3, TSU 3, NPSU 2, independent 1

elections

Legislative Yuan - last held on 14 January 2012 (next to be held in January 2016)

National anthem

"Zhonghua Minguo guoge" (National Anthem of the Republic of China) HU Han-min, TAI Chi-t'ao, and LIAO Chung-k'ai/CHENG Mao-Yun adopted 1930; the anthem is also the song of the Kuomintang Party; it is informally known as "San Min Chu I" or "San Min Zhu Yi" (Three Principles of the People); because of political pressure from China, "Guo Qi Ge" (National Banner Song) is used at international events rather than the official anthem of Taiwan; the "National Banner Song" has gained popularity in Taiwan and is commonly used during flag raisings

lyrics/music

HU Han-min, TAI Chi-t'ao, and LIAO Chung-k'ai/CHENG Mao-Yun

name

"Zhonghua Minguo guoge" (National Anthem of the Republic of China)

National holiday

Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911)

National symbol(s)

white, 12-rayed sun on blue field

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [SU Tseng-chang] Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [MA Ying-jeou] New Party [YOK Mu-ming] Non-Partisan Solidarity Union or NPSU [LIN Pin-kuan] People First Party or PFP [James SOONG Chu-ye] Taiwan Solidarity Union or TSU [HUANG Kun-huei]

Political pressure groups and leaders

environmental groups independence movement various business groups debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; public opinion polls consistently show a substantial majority of Taiwan people supports maintaining Taiwan's status quo for the foreseeable future; advocates of Taiwan independence oppose the stand that the island will eventually unify with mainland China; advocates of eventual unification predicate their goal on the democratic transformation of the mainland

Suffrage

20 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

rice, vegetables, fruit, tea, flowers; pigs, poultry; fish

Budget

$78.38 billion $90.42 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$90.42 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$78.38 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.6% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.88% (31 December 2012) 1.88% (31 December 2011)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

2.88% (31 December 2012 est.) 2.88% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$49.92 billion (2012 est.) $41.23 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$130.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $122.5 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

34.2 (2011) 32.6 (2000)

Economy - overview

Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing government guidance of investment and foreign trade. Exports, led by electronics, machinery, and petrochemicals have provided the primary impetus for economic development. This heavy dependence on exports exposes the economy to fluctuations in world demand. In 2009, Taiwan's GDP contracted 1.8%, due primarily to a 13.1% year-on-year decline in exports. In 2010 GDP grew 10.7%, as exports returned to the level of previous years, and in 2011, grew 4.0%. In 2012, however, growth fell to 1.3%, because of softening global demand. Taiwan's diplomatic isolation, low birth rate, and rapidly aging population are major long-term challenges. Free trade agreements have proliferated in East Asia over the past several years, but except for the landmark Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed with China in June 2010, so far Taiwan has been excluded from this greater economic integration in part because of its diplomatic status. Negotiations continue on such follow-on components of ECFA regarding trade in goods and services. The MA administration has said that the ECFA will serve as a stepping stone toward trade pacts with other key trade partners, which Taiwan subsequently launched with Singapore and New Zealand. Taiwan's Total Fertility rate of just over one child per woman is among the lowest in the world, raising the prospect of future labor shortages, falling domestic demand, and declining tax revenues. Taiwan's population is aging quickly, with the number of people over 65 accounting for 11.2% of the island's total population as of 2012. The island runs a large trade surplus largely because of its surplus with China, and its foreign reserves are the world's fifth largest, behind China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Russia. In 2006 China overtook the US to become Taiwan's second-largest source of imports after Japan. China is also the island's number one destination for foreign direct investment. Three financial memorandums of understanding, covering banking, securities, and insurance, took effect in mid-January 2010, opening the island to greater investments from the mainland's financial firms and institutional investors, and providing new opportunities for Taiwan financial firms to operate in China. In August 2012, Taiwan Central Bank signed a memorandum of understanding on cross-Strait currency settlement with its Chinese counterpart. The MOU allows for the direct settlement of Chinese RMB and the New Taiwan dollar across the Strait, which could help develop Taiwan into a local RMB hub. Closer economic links with the mainland bring greater opportunities for the Taiwan economy, but also poses new challenges as the island becomes more economically dependent on China while political differences remain unresolved.

Exchange rates

New Taiwan dollars (TWD) per US dollar - 29.62 (2012 est.) 29.47 (2011 est.) 31.65 (2010 est.) 33.06 (2009) 31.53 (2008)

Exports

$299.8 billion (2012 est.) $307 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

electronics, flat panels, machinery; metals; textiles, plastics, chemicals; optical, photographic, measuring, and medical instruments

Exports - partners

China 27.1%, Hong Kong 13.2%, US 10.3%, Japan 6.4%, Singapore 4.4% (2012 est.)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

60.3% 12.4% 19.6% 0.2% 73.6% -66% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

73.6%

government consumption

12.4%

household consumption

60.3%

imports of goods and services

-66%

investment in fixed capital

19.6%

investment in inventories

0.2%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

2% 29.8% 68.2% (2012 est.)

agriculture

2%

industry

29.8%

services

68.2% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$38,400 (2012 est.) $38,000 (2011 est.) $36,600 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.3% (2012 est.) 4.1% (2011 est.) 10.8% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$467.7 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$894.3 billion (2012 est.) $882.6 billion (2011 est.) $848.2 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

30.3% of GDP (2012 est.) 29.6% of GDP (2011 est.) 31.7% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

6.4% 40.3% (2010)

highest 10%

40.3% (2010)

lowest 10%

6.4%

Imports

$268.8 billion (2012 est.) $279.2 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

electronics, machinery, crude petroleum, precision instruments, organic chemicals, metals

Imports - partners

Japan 17.6%, China 16.1%, US 9.5% (2012 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

0.9% (2012 est.)

Industries

electronics, communications and information technology products, petroleum refining, armaments, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.9% (2012 est.) 1.4% (2011 est.)

Labor force

11.34 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

5% 36.2% 58.8% (2012 est.)

agriculture

5%

industry

36.2%

services

58.8% (2012 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$831.9 billion (31 December 2012) $784.1 billion (31 December 2011) $738.3 billion (31 December 2010)

Population below poverty line

1.5% (2012 est.)

Public debt

35.8% of GDP (2012 est.) 34.9% of GDP (2011 est.) data for central government

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$408.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $390.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.119 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.082 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$226.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $213.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$59.36 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $56.15 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$743.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $692 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$426.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $390.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

16.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

4.2% (2012 est.) 4.4% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

293.3 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - imports

885,900 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

21,680 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

2.38 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

242.2 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

77.2% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

5.3% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

10.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

6.9% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

48.75 million kW (2011 est.)

Electricity - production

252.2 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

16.37 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

15.9 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

330.2 million cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

6.229 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

786,100 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

255,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

304,700 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

920,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Broadcast media

5 nationwide television networks operating roughly 75 TV stations; about 85% of households utilize multi-channel cable TV; national and regional radio networks with about 170 radio stations (2008)

Internet country code

.tw

Internet hosts

6.272 million (2012)

Internet users

16.147 million (2009)

Telephone system

provides telecommunications service for every business and private need thoroughly modern; completely digitalized country code - 886; roughly 15 submarine fiber cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 (2011)

domestic

thoroughly modern; completely digitalized

general assessment

provides telecommunications service for every business and private need

international

country code - 886; roughly 15 submarine fiber cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

15.998 million (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

29.455 million (2012)

Airports

37 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

10

2,438 to 3,047 m

7

914 to 1,523 m

8

over 3,047 m

8

total

35

under 914 m

2 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

total

2

Heliports

31 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 35, cargo 20, chemical tanker 1, container 31, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 12, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 2 3 (France 2, Vietnam 1) 579 (Argentina 2, Cambodia 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 25, Indonesia 1, Italy 10, Kiribati 2, Liberia 94, Marshall Islands 8, Panama 328, Philippines 1, Sierra Leone 7, Singapore 77, South Korea 1, Thailand 1, UK 11, Vanuatu 1, unknown 8) (2010)

foreign-owned

3 (France 2, Vietnam 1)

registered in other countries

579 (Argentina 2, Cambodia 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 25, Indonesia 1, Italy 10, Kiribati 2, Liberia 94, Marshall Islands 8, Panama 328, Philippines 1, Sierra Leone 7, Singapore 77, South Korea 1, Thailand 1, UK 11, Vanuatu 1, unknown 8) (2010)

total

112

Pipelines

condensate 25 km; gas 802 km; oil 241 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Chilung (Keelung), Kaohsiung, Hualian, Taichung

Railways

1,580 km 345 km 1.435-m gauge (345 km electrified) 1,085 km 1.067-m gauge (685 km electrified); 150 km 0.762-m gauge the 0.762 gauge track belongs to three entities, the Forestry Bureau, Taiwan Cement, and TaiPower (2009)

narrow gauge

1,085 km 1.067-m gauge (685 km electrified); 150 km 0.762-m gauge

total

1,580 km

Roadways

41,475 km 41,033 km (includes 720 km of expressways) 442 km (2009)

total

41,475 km

unpaved

442 km (2009)

Manpower available for military service

6,183,567 6,006,676 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

6,006,676 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

6,183,567

Manpower fit for military service

5,074,173 4,951,088 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

4,951,088 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

5,074,173

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

166,190 155,306 (2010 est.)

female

155,306 (2010 est.)

male

166,190

Military branches

Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force, Coast Guard Administration, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces Command, Armed Forces Police Command

Military expenditures

2.2% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18-35 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; service obligation is 2 years; women may enlist; women in Air Force service are restricted to noncombat roles; reserve obligation to age 30 (Army); the Ministry of Defense is in the process of implementing a voluntary enlistment system over the period 2010-2015, although nonvolunteers will still be required to perform alternative service or go through 4 months of military training (2012)

Disputes - international

involved in complex dispute with Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam over the Spratly Islands, and with China and the Philippines over Scarborough Reef; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; Paracel Islands are occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam; in 2003, China and Taiwan became more vocal in rejecting both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea where all parties engage in hydrocarbon prospecting

Illicit drugs

regional transit point for heroin, methamphetamine, and precursor chemicals; transshipment point for drugs to Japan; major problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroin; rising problems with use of ketamine and club drugs