Geography

The island of Taiwan is located on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean, between Japan and the Philippines, and is approximately 230 kilometers off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island is 394 kilometers long in the N-S direction and 144 kilometers wide at its widest point, with a total area of about 36 thousand square kilometers.

Two-thirds of Taiwan’s area is covered by forested mountains and the remaining one-third consists of hilly country, coastal plains and basins. The Central Mountain Range is Taiwan’s most prominent geographic feature. It stretches along the entire island from north to south, thus forming a natural line of demarcation for rivers on the eastern and western sides of the island. Mount Jade, peaking to 3952 meters, is the highest in Northeast Asia.

People

Taiwan has a population of about 23 million. The major inhabitants are descendants of immigrants from various provinces of mainland China from the southeastern coastal provinces of Fujian and Guangdong. Because of the natural integration through industrialization, urbanization and inter-marriages, differences that originally existed among various ethnic groups have gradually disappeared.

Some 430,000 indigenous people, likely of Polynesian ancestry, still reside in the island. They can be distinguished into 13 different tribes with scattered subgroups in mountainous areas, each having a rather distinct language and culture.

Climate

Taiwan, located in the subtropical region, enjoys warm weather all year round. The weather conditions fluctuate more during spring and winter, while during summer and autumn it is relatively stable. The annual average temperature is a comfortable 22℃, the low range being 12-17℃. In Kaohsiung, the annual average temperature is 25-26℃, and the lowest temperature is around 19℃. During the summer months, occasional typhoons may bring heavy rains which in turn induce devastating mudflows in steep streams.

Transportation

Transportation is highly convenient in Taiwan, for both international and domestic travel. Air travel is the main means for foreigners coming to Taiwan. Domestic transportation includes airlines, railways, highways and the high speed railway along the west coast. The transportation between Taiwan and outer islands mainly relies on airlines and secondarily on ferries.

1. Airlines
   Taiwan has two international airports: CKS airport in the north and Kaohsiung airport in the south. Three carriers fly domestic routes that connect the island’s main cities and offshore islands.
2. Railway
   Trains on the round-the-island rail network provide extremely convenient services. In recent years, regional short-distance electric-train routes have benefited commuters and students alike. Tickets may be purchased by phone, through the Internet or at the stations.
3. High Speed Railway
   The Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) on the west coast has been in operation for several years. The travel time between Kaohsiung and Taipei is only1.5-2 hours. There are eight stations along the line.
4. Highway (island-wide highway network)
   Taiwan’s highway network grew rapidly during the past 10 years. Freeways with controlled access and toll stations are concentrated on the west coast. There are three E-W trending roads across the island, the northern one being an express way, and the central and southern ones winding narrow roads. Numerous paved county routes are wide enough for sight-seeing buses. Scheduled bus lines provide connection among most cities and townships.
5. Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
   Both the Taipei metropolitan area and Kaohsiung City have an MRT system. The Taipei MRT covers a wide area, while the Kaohsiung MRT is comparatively simple. Both MRTs link with the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) and Taiwan Railway lines. The Kaohsiung MRT already has a station at its international airport, while the Taipei MRT’s link to the international airport is still under construction.

Kaohsiung County and City

Transportation is highly convenient in Taiwan, for both international and domestic travel. Air travel is the main means for foreigners coming to Taiwan. Domestic transportation includes airlines, railways, highways and the high speed railway along the west coast. The transportation between Taiwan and outer islands mainly relies on airlines and secondarily on ferries.

Financial Management

1.Account at the Post Office and the Banks

Opening an account at the Post Office or a bank requires a valid passport, ARC and NT$100 processing fee. For future convenience, it is advisable to apply for an ATM card which enables a student to make cash withdrawals or fund transfers at any ATM. The maximum amount of cash withdrawal per transaction is NT$ 30,000 and NT$ 20,000 from ATMs of the card-issuing bank and from ATMs of other banks, respectively, the cumulative daily maximum being NT$ 100,000. When using ATMs of other financial institutions, the service charge per transaction is NT$7.

2. New Taiwan dollar
a. Trains on the round-the-island rail network provide extremely convenient services. In recent years, regional short-distance electric-train routes have benefited commuters and students alike. Tickets may be purchased by phone, through the Internet or at the stations.
b. Exchange rate

Electricity

a. Household electricity in Taiwan is supplied at 110V; 60Hz. Electrical appliances brought in from other parts of the world may need a transformer to adapt to the Taiwan voltage.

b. Electricity bill may be paid (a) by direct deduction from a designated bank account or charging to a credit card, or (b) by cash at Taipower designated locations which include post offices, banks and convenient stores (before the deadline shown on the bill).

c. The following Taipower website furnishes full information on all electricity-related matters: http://www.taipower.com.tw

Household gas

Households in Taiwan generally use one of two types of fuel natural gas or bottled liquefied gas. Natural gas is piped to each customer’s residence, while the petroleum gas bottles are delivered, on demand, to the customer by local bottled gas companies. Students living off-campus in older houses may need bottled gas for cooking and hot-water supply.

Useful Links

1. Information for Foreigners: https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5475/5478/6928/6940/
2. Kaohsiung MRT: http://www.krtco.com.tw/
3. National Health Insurance: https://www.nhi.gov.tw/english/
4. Chunghwa Post: https://www.post.gov.tw/post/internet/U_english2/
5. Tourism Bureau: https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/
6. Central Weather Bureau: http://www.cwb.gov.tw
7. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan): https://www.mofa.gov.tw/en/default.html
8. Global Chinese Language and Culture Center: http://edu.ocac.gov.tw/

Emergency Contact