Taiwan is an island located approximately 120 kilometres from mainland China. It has a long history of being ruled or influenced by various powers, including Portugal, the Netherlands, Spain, Japan, and China. Today, Mandarin, Taiwanese, and Hakka are the main languages spoken, and Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism are the predominant religions practiced. Taiwanese culture reflects the many influences on the island over centuries from countries like Japan, Europe, America, and China.

1. Taiwan All about……

2. Introduction Since it is the last week of homework, I thought there’s no better way to end the term with a slideshow devoted to the wonderful and interesting country of TAIWAN!

3. Location Taiwan is located 120 kilometres away from China, who has power over Taiwan. It is 394 kilometres long and 144 wide. The island of Taiwan is 55% forests and woodland, 24% land suitable for agriculture, 15% for other uses, 5% is pastures, 1% is crops and the rest is water. Taiwan has had many natural disasters and is home to many endangered species.

4. Maps

5. Language\Religion Mandarin, Taiwanese and Hakka are all languages spoken in Taiwan, and most people learn English as a second language. 93% of Taiwan’s people believe in a mix of Buddhism, Confucianism (a religion based on good deeds) and Taoism (based on it’s own traditions and concepts).

6. Culture Culture in Taiwan is made up of many different countries influences during Taiwanese history. Japan, Europe, America and China have all had a huge impact on Taiwan’s culture. Culture in Taiwan now is more about freedom of expression and a wide variety of examples of culture can be found throughout Taiwan.

7. A Timeline of Taiwanese History 1540-2000

8. 16 th Century 1540- The Kingdom of Middag is established ( a central kingdom created by Taiwanese aboriginals 1544- The island is discovered by Portuguese sailors who name it Iiha Formosa (which means ‘Beautiful Island’) 1582- The ship sinks and survivors fight aboriginals and malaria on the island 1592- Japan claims the island and renames it Takayamakoku (means ‘High Mountain Country’

9. 17 th Century 1604- The Dutch order a fleet to the Pescadores, a small group of islands of Taiwan’s west coast, but they do not go 1609- Japan sends Arima Haruno on an exploratory mission to Taiwan 1616- Japan unsuccessfully attempts to invade Taiwan 1622- Since Japan is under Chinese rule at this time, the Dutch try to trade the Pescadores for southern Taiwan and are unsuccessful 1624- China goes through with the trade and the Dutch rule over south Taiwan 1626 to 1653- Spain takes north Taiwan but the Dutch eventually drive them out and take complete rule of Taiwan 1662- China takes full control of Taiwan from the Dutch 1683- A new government controls China and takes Taiwan from the previous rulers

10. 18 th Century 1732- The Kingdom Of Middag is destroyed -The chief Map of tribes-

11. 19 th Century 1875- Taiwan is separated into North and South 1887- A government is appointed to Taiwan with Liu Mingchuan as the first governor 1894- The French Navy blockade Taiwan during a war with China about who gets ownership of North Vietnam (known then as Tonkin) 1895- Japan demands Taiwan after China surrendered to war. China makes Taiwan a republic to ward off Japan. Tang Jing-Song becomes president 1899- Japan takes back their army. The first bank of Taiwan is established to encourage Japanese investment, and Taiwanese yen is created

12. 20 th Century-1900 to 1920 1901- Railroads are built 1904- Taiwanese bank notes are issued 1905- An earthquake takes place in Chiayi, a population census is started and Taiwan becomes financially independent 1907- A group of people obtain weapons in Beipu City and kill over 50 people 1908- Many railways are completed 1913- Another uprising commences in Miaoli City 1915- The largest revolt in Taiwanese history takes place, with over 100 protesters killed

13. 1921 to 1940 1921- A petition to create a Taiwanese parliament is created, and the Cultural Association of Taiwan is established 1924 to 1926- Many more rail roads completed 1927- The Taiwanese People’s Party is founded (Taiwan’s first political party) 1928- Taihoku Imperial University is founded (now National Taiwan University) 1930- Irrigation system is complete and Wushe City incident takes place 1935- An earthquake takes place in Miaoli and an exposition takes place for 40 th anniversary of Taiwan becoming a country 1937- Four national parks are planned and the Sun Moon Lake Hydroelectric Power Plant is completed 1939- Industrial production begins and exceeds agricultural production

14. 1941 to 1960 1941- Japanese and Taiwanese children are allowed in same schools and another railway is completed 1943- Compulsory education begins and Taiwan becomes the country with the second highest enrolment rate in Asia 1945- Japan (and Taiwan) are defeated in World War II. The US directs Japan to surrender to China and they take control of Taiwan 1949- New Taiwan Dollar is established and is still used today, the Kuomintang army is defeated in the Chinese Civil war and flees to Taiwan with over 2 million refugees and China changes their capital city to Taipei (in Taiwan) 1951- Japan officially renounces claims on Taiwan 1958- A war ensues in which China tries to invade and claim Taiwan, but there is a truce 1959- Central Taiwan faces serious flooding

15. 1961 to 1980 1964- The Shihmen Reservoir is completed 1971 to 1978- Many changes in Taiwanese and Chinese government ensue 1979- More protesters are detained and another railway is finished 1980- Many protesters are killed and the Hsinchu Science Park is founded

16. 1981 to 2000 1986- Typhoon Wayne hits west of central Taiwan, a new political party is created (Democratic Progressive Party) and Yuan T. Lee wins the Nobel prize in chemistry 1988- Newspapers are allowed 1989- New banks are allowed 1991- Opposition parties are legalised 1994- National Health Insurance begins 1995- The Taiwanese stock market loses one-third of it’s value 1996- The first vote for president takes place 1997- Many more railways are completed, including two of the main ones and cell phones can be used 1999- An earthquake hits Chi-Chi City 2000- Most main railways are completed

17. And that’s……….. TAIWAN!