Page 7 - 2024 BRAVO! TAIWAN_en

Getting to Know this Asia-Pacific Hub

A Diverse Natural Environment

Taiwan is an island that consists of nearly two-thirds mountainous and hilly terrain and one-third
tablelands, plains and basins. Mountain ranges that dominate the land contain more than 200 Business Climate
peaks over 3,000 m and run mostly north to south. Counted among them is the Central Mountain
Range, which cuts a vertical swathe down the island and serves as it's east-west watershed.

The combination of the Tropic of Cancer running through Taiwan and the high-mountain terrain
creates a natural ecology comprising at least three distinct climate zones: tropical, sub-tropical
and high-elevation temperate. Living in this diverse environment are nearly 4,000 endemic
species, including the Formosan landlocked salmon, Formosan macaque, Formosan black bear
and Swinhoe's pheasant. These animals thrive in world-class conservation areas spread among
Taiwan's nine national parks and 13 national scenic areas.
Elements that dot the marine landscape include capes and bays, rocky banks and beaches,
and lagoons. This rich natural environment fosters exciting, growing recreational industries such
as climbing, hiking, river tracing and rafting in the mountains, as well as scuba diving, surfing,
snorkeling and whale watching at sea.

A Pleasant Climate

Generally speaking, Taiwan remains warm throughout the year, with spring and winter seeing
greater temperature variations than fall and summer. The average annual temperature is 22Ċ,
with lows typically hovering around 12-17Ċ. The south is usually warmer than the north, with
average January temperatures of approximately 16Ċ in Taipei and 20Ċ in Kaohsiung.

Stationary fronts during the change from spring to summer (March - May) bring frequent
precipitation to northern and eastern regions, while summer (June - August) is hot with the
occasional typhoon. Autumn features clear skies and cool weather, while the arrival of the
occasional cold front in winter (December - February) provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy
hot springs. Overall, Taiwan's climate makes it a pleasant place to live and travel. The hospitable
weather during each of the four seasons sustains a wide range of fruits, vegetables and flowers
that satisfies culinary and aesthetic desires.

A Diverse History and Culture

A diverse range of peoples and ethnic groups makes up Taiwanese society, from aboriginals and
Han Chinese to the recent new immigrants from Southeast Asia and other regions. Their history,
languages, culture and religious beliefs blend into the everyday culinary, architectural and lifestyle
habits of Taiwan, contributing to the rich and colorful culture of the island. The resulting stimulation
brings endless vitality and creativity to Taiwanese society and opens valuable new cultural
possibilities in the areas of music, art, industrial arts, architecture and lifestyle aesthetics.

Mandarin is the lingua franca of Taiwan, and various ethnic groups use Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka
or one of 16 indigenous languages in everyday speech. Many members of the older generations
who were educated during the Japanese colonial period can also speak Japanese. In terms of
religions and belief systems, Taiwan is a tolerant society that welcomes traditional Buddhism and
Taoism, folk beliefs, Christianity, Islam and other religions. Each entered Taiwan at a different time
and subsequently prospered in an accepting environment.

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