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Taiwan's population surpassed 22.45 million in June 2002. Taipei City is the largest and most densely populated metropolitan area, followed by Kaohsiung City in the south. About 60 percent of Taiwan's population is concentrated in four metropolitan areas--Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Tainan.
Over the past few decades, the average age of Taiwan's population has increased by 1.8 percent. In June 2002, the number of people over the age of 65 exceeded 8.9 percent of the total population, and the rise is expected to continue.
With the exception of over 413,519 indigenous peoples in 2001, Taiwan's population is composed almost entirely of Han Chinese. Early Han Chinese immigrants, or "Taiwanese," are of two groups: the Hakka, mostly from Guangdong Province; and the Fujianese, from China's southeastern coastal province of Fujian. These two groups comprise about 85 percent of the Han population, with the Fujianese outnumbering the Hakka by about three to one. The last group of immigrants came to Taiwan from various parts of China with the ROC government in 1949. They are generally referred to as "mainlanders," and account for less than 15 percent of the Han population. Intermarriage between all four groups--indigenous peoples, Hakkas, Fujianese, and mainlanders--is quite common, so the distinguishing characteristics of these groups have become fainter over time.
Taiwan's Indigenous Peoples
Human habitation in Taiwan dates back 12,000 to 15,000 years, and evidence suggests that the ancestors of today's aboriginal peoples came from southern China and Austronesia. There are currently eleven major aboriginal tribes in Taiwan: the Atayal,Saisiyat,Bunun,Tsou,Paiwan,Rukai, Puyuma,Amis,Kavalan,and Yami. Collectively, they comprise less than 2 percent of the population. Leave a Comment
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Postal agencies are open from 09:00 until 17:00 from Monday to Saturday (except the second and fourth saturdays). The Taiwan postal service is generally quite reliable though envelopes with English addresses should be written in a clear hand to ensure prompt delivery.
Red postal boxes are for airmail (usually the left hand slot) and prompt delivery items (right hand slot) while green boxes are for local mail (left hand slot is generally for local mail only). Leave a Comment
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The basic local telephone rate is NT$1 for 2 minutes. Coin phones accept NT$1, NT$5 and NT$10 coins. Some phones now require NT$2 as the minimum.
Public pay phones are also widespread throughout Taiwan and separate phones are available for coins or cards. Local telephone cards are widely available at kiosks and convenience stores. Cards cost NT$100 and permit 100 call units.
Pay phones are green coloured while card phones are beige coloured.
International Direct Dial (IDD) phones are now being installed in many locations and offer much cheaper international phone rates than available in hotels.
Since January 1998, all TAIPEI (Area 02) numbers have been converted from seven to eight digits. The old seven digit number now has a "2" as the leading digit. "555 5275" has become "2555 4275".
Cellular Phones
GSM Roaming is available to the following countries: Australia, Britain, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denamrk, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey.
Useful Phone Numbers
English Speaking Police
(02) 2555 4275
English Speaking Phone Operator
(02) 2311 6796
English Speaking Directories Assistance
106
Fire Department
119
CKS (International) Airport Information
(03) 398 2143
Sungshan (Domestic) Airport Information
(02) 2717 3737
Radio Taxi Service
(02) 2301 4567 ; (02) 2746 9988
Tourist Information Hotline
(02) 2717 3737 (8:00am ~ 20:00pm)
International Dial Code
002
Emergency Numbers (Toll Free):
Fire, Ambulance
119
Police
110
English Directories Assistance
106
Other Telephone Assistance:
Traffic Accidents
Northern
(02) 2394 3876
Central
(04) 327 4659
Southern
(07) 231 7642
Tourist Hot Line
Northern
(02) 2717 3737
Central
(04) 227 0421
Southern
(06) 226 5681
Foreign Affairs Police
Northern
(02) 2396 9781
Central
(04) 327 3875
Southern
(07) 221 5796
Crisis Centres
Northern
(02) 2758 6818
Central
(04) 220 3141
Southern
(07) 251 4171
Recorded Information Services
Time Service
117
Telephone Repairs
117
Weather Forecast
166
Freeway Conditions
168
Airport Service Numbers
CKS International Airport
(03) 398 2143
Kaohsiung Int'l Airport
(07) 822 9239
Taipei Airport
(02) 2514 1400
Taichung Airport
(04) 292 3485
Chiayi Airport
(05) 236 5464
Hualien Airport
(03) 821 0220
Tainan Airport
(06) 267 5387
Makung (Penghu) Airport
(06) 921 2110
Chimei Airport
(06) 997 1256
Wangan Airport
(06) 999 1164
Pingtung Airport
(08) 776 5495
Taitung Airport
(089) 34 5430
Lutao (Green Island) Airport
(089) 67 2029
Lanyu (Orchid Island) Airport
(089) 73 2006 Leave a Comment
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Abacus - An abacus is a calculator, rectangular in shape. It has an outside frame with sliding beads strung on thirteen wires or wooden slats. The abacus was used widely before the nine plus "O" counting method was adopted. The Chinese have used it for hundreds of years and still use it today. You will see it used in some Chinese shops. It can somewhat confusing for the observer as the seasoned user quickly slides the beads back and forth, doing the calculation quickly on the abacus. An abacus can be purchased very inexpensively at any Chinese department store complete with an instruction booklet which shows you how to use this ancient calculator. Leave a Comment
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Acupuncture - Acupuncture is the centuries old Chinese method of piercing the body with needles to relieve aches and pains. Chinese legend holds that over 5,000 years ago a soldier was struck with an arrow. He felt a numbing sensation in a different part of his body. The Chinese tell that from this incident came the art of acupuncture. This method treats malaria, high blood pressure, appendicitis and, acupuncture is also used as anaesthesia. The acupuncturist is trained to insert needles painlessly into certain points of the body. The needles are placed in very specific points, depending on the sickness being treated. The instruments and rubber dolls, complete with the proper "points" outlined in colour, are sold in Hong Kong. It takes great skill and years of training to become an acupuncturist. Leave a Comment
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Buddha - Buddha refers to Prince Siddhartha Guatama, an Indian prince who lived more than 2,500 years ago. After years of study and contemplation, Siddhartha founded the Buddhist religion, based on the "Eightfold Path". Buddha means "The Enlightened One", and by following the teachings of Buddha a person may overcome the craving of earthly pleasures and become enlightened. These paths include the understanding of the Four Noble Truths, correct thoughts, correct speech, proper actions, the right work and efforts, the right state of mind and the ability to concentrate. Buddhism has remained a simple and democratic religion through the centuries. This may explain how quickly it was accepted by the working people of Asia. There are numerous Buddhist places of worship in Taiwanand Lord Buddha's birthday is a very important celebration for the Chinese. Leave a Comment
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Chinese Food - Chinese food tastes very good and is also nutritious. The food is prepared with great care and cooked quickly so as not to lose its vitamin content. Vegetables are finely chopped or diced and because of the quick cooking, retain their fresh taste and garden colours. Spices and sauces such as soy, oyster, sesame and aniseed are used freely in Chinese cooking. The Chinese do not waste anything. Every stalk and bone is used for some tasty dish. Different provinces reflect their eating habits by the particular spicy, bland or colourful food they prepare. Taiwan is an excellent place to try all types of Chinese food, including sharks fin soup, snake meat and sea slugs! Leave a Comment
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Chopsticks - The Chinese eat their food with chopsticks. Chopsticks are a pair of slender sticks made of wood, ivory, bamboo or plastic. It does not take long to learn to use chopsticks, just patience. Trial and error is the best method of mastering the sticks. Leave a Comment
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Dragon - The dragon is a mythical monster in fairy tales and legends. For a long time the dragon stood for evil. Tales of serpent monsters roaming the earth devouring everything in their paths have been recorded for centuries. However, the Chinese adopted the dragon as a symbol of nobility. Until 1912, the dragon was the national emblem of China. Many Chinese consider the dragon a god, one to be worshipped. Therefore, dragons appear in every area of Chinese culture. They decorate colourful lanterns at festival time, shop fronts at Chinese New Year and are delicately embroidered on silk clothing and wall hangings. The dragon has always played a major role in Chinese literature. Children's books are full of the legendary appearances of dragons and, frequently the dragon is found helping a poor or unfortunate victim overcome his enemies. During Dragon Boat Festival, giant heads of the serpent, decorated with fierce markings are painted on the front of the boat, helping the crew to victory. Dragons have always played a busy role in the life of the Chinese people. Leave a Comment
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Dynasty - A dynasty is a group of rulers from the same family who succeed one another in power. This group usually has great wealth and power for several generations. China is the home of great dynasties, dating back centuries. This form of rule in China ended with the overthrow of the Manchu Dynasty in 1912. Leave a Comment
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