36,000 sq km (13,900 sq miles).

21,615,000 (1997).

600.4 per sq km.

Taipei.

2,605,374 (1996).

Taiwan (China) is the main island of a group of 78 islands. It is dominated by the Central Mountain Range covering 75% of its land area and running its full length north to south on the eastern seaboard. Over 60 peaks exceed 3000m (9850ft), the highest being Yu Shan (Jade Mountain) at 3950m (12,959ft), and most are heavily forested. About 25% of the country is alluvial plain, most of it on the coastal strip. The Pescadores (Fisherman's Isles), which the Chinese call Penghu, comprise 64 islands west of Taiwan (China) with a total area of 127 sq km (49 sq miles). The offshore island fortress of Quemoy (Kinmen) and Matsu, form part of the mainland province of Fukien.

Republic since 1947. Head of State: President Lee Teng-Hui since 1988. Head of Government: Prime Minister Vincent Siew since 1997.

The official language is Northern Chinese (Mandarin). Taiwanese is widely spoken, and English is taught as the first foreign language in schools.

Buddhism; also Taoism, Christianity and Islam

GMT + 8.

110 volts AC, 60Hz