With around 23.9 million inhabitants, Taiwan is among the most densely populated countries. Taiwan has been settled for at least 25,000 years. Ancestors of Taiwanese indigenous peoples settled the island around 6,000 years ago.

Taiwan is an island in the western Pacific Ocean that lies roughly 100 miles (160 km) off the coast of southeastern China. Taipei, in the north, is the seat of government of the Republic of China (ROC; Nationalist China).

People from China gradually came into contact with Taiwan by the time of the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) and Han Chinese people started settling there by the early 17th century. The island became known by the West when Portuguese explorers discovered it in the 16th century and named it Formosa.

Taiwan (Republic of China) is located about 160 km off the Southeast coast of the continent of Asia, at the western edge of the Pacific Ocean between Japan and the Philippines.

Taiwan emerged as one of East Asia's economic 'Tigers,' a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing and technology. Cross-strait relations with the People's Republic of China remain the defining geopolitical tension, with questions of sovereignty and potential unification unresolved.

The Republic of China (Taiwan) is situated in the West Pacific between Japan and the Philippines. Its jurisdiction extends to the archipelagoes of Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, as well as numerous other islets.

A comprehensive budget travel guide to Taiwan with tips on what to do, where to stay, transportation, costs, and ways to save!

Plan your Taiwan trip with this ultimate guide: top attractions, itineraries, food tips, transportation, culture, and travel advice for every traveler.

Other Release Joint Statement on the Pax Silica Declaration and U.S.-Taiwan Economic Security Cooperation January 27, 2026

A survey of notable events and people in the history of Taiwan. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, the island of Taiwan lies roughly 100 miles (160 km) off the coast of southeastern China.