-
MEET AN EXPERT
Our co-founder & CEO Catherine Heald loves this often overlooked little country, especially its beautiful landscapes and fascinating National Palace Museum.
CONTACT US
In the 16th century, Taiwan was christened Ilha Formosa, the “beautiful island,” by Portuguese sailors, the first Westerners to encounter this lush gem situated about 100 miles off the coast of mainland China, roughly half way between Shanghai and Hong Kong. Subsequently it was ruled by the Spanish, the Dutch, China’s Qing Dynasty, and the Japanese before their defeat in World War II.
Today, Taiwan’s small size belies its economic strength; this island of about 23 million people is one of the world’s financial powerhouses, home to some of the most popular brands of electronics, vehicles and other consumer products. Its political status, though, remains murky – there is ongoing debate in the United Nations as to whether Taiwan should be recognized as an independent republic or a territory of the People’s Republic of China. The U.S. is a main ally, along with Israel and 22 other nations (plus the Vatican) who view it as independent.
A tropical and largely mountainous island, Taiwan offers terrific activities for outdoors enthusiasts, especially in dramatically beautiful national parks like Taroko.
In the 16th century, Taiwan was christened Ilha Formosa, the “beautiful island,” by Portuguese sailors, the first Westerners to encounter this lush gem situated about 100 miles off the coast of mainland China, roughly half way between Shanghai and Hong Kong. Subsequently it was ruled by the Spanish, the Dutch, China’s Qing Dynasty, and the Japanese before their defeat in World War II.
Today, Taiwan’s small size belies its economic strength; this island of about 23 million people is one of the world’s financial powerhouses, home to some of the most popular brands of electronics, vehicles and other consumer products. Its political status, though, remains murky – there is ongoing debate in the United Nations as to whether Taiwan should be recognized as an independent republic or a territory of the People’s Republic of China. The U.S. is a main ally, along with Israel and 22 other nations (plus the Vatican) who view it as independent.
A tropical and largely mountainous island, Taiwan offers terrific activities for outdoors enthusiasts, especially in dramatically beautiful national parks like Taroko.
by Departures Online 
by NBC News 
