China and Japan have occupied Taiwan during the first half of the 20th century. In December 1949, Taiwan acquired its independence and became a democracy. Since that time, it has become an economic power and leading producer of high-tech goods. While most of the 23 million Taiwanese people speak Mandarin Chinese, a decades-old feud with mainland China regularly sparks rumors of a military conflict between the two nations. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reports that Taiwanese officials continue to complain about the increasing number of Chinese short-range missiles aimed at the island.
The island of Taiwan is located in East Asia, across the Taiwan Strait. The capital city, Taipei, in the northern part of the island, is a bustling modern metropolis. However, outside of Taipei, visitors can still appreciate a more peaceful environment. In the center of the island are several mountain ranges, including the Central Mountain Range. Seven national parks showcase the natural beauty of the vegetation and terrain of Taiwan.
Being an island, Taiwan is bordered by several bodies of water border, such as the Philippine Sea, East Asia Sea, and Taiwan Strait. The Taiwan Strait is located to the west of the island, separating it from mainland China. The Philippine Sea, as the name implies, separates Taiwan from the Philippines to the southeast. The East Asia Sea, which is technically part of the Pacific Ocean, borders Taiwan to the north and stretches all the way to Japan.
Despite the fact that it does not technically border any country, Taiwan is relatively close to several other nations, including China to the west, the Philippines to the southeast and Japan to the north. Taiwan is located 86 miles away from mainland China and 512 miles away from the city of Hong Kong. Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, is 718 miles away from Taipei. Finally, Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, is 1,303 miles away from Taipei.
Since 1949 and the Chinese communist revolution, diplomatic relations between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China (PRC) have been minimal, with the PRC still claiming sovereignty over the island of Taiwan. However, according to Michigan State University, relations between the two nations have eased since 2008, when Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou took office.
