GENERAL
Capital
Taipei (Taipei).
Geography
As a country located in Asia according to iamhigher, Taiwan is the main island in a group of 78 islands. The central mountain range covers 75% of the land mass and runs along the east coast from north to south. More than 60 peaks rise above 3000 m, the Yu Shan (Jade Mountain) is the highest and most densely forested elevation at 3950 m. About a quarter of the country consists of alluvial plains on the coast. The 64 islands of the Pescadores (fishing islands), which the Chinese call Penghu, are located west of the main island and cover 127 square kilometers. The island fortresses of Quemoy (Kinmen) and Matsu belong to the mainland province of Fukien.
Government
Republic since 1911. Constitution of 1947, last amended in 2000. One-chamber legislature yuan with 113 members, election every 4 years. The five yuan (government organs) hold much of the political power: executive yuan, legislative yuan, judicial yuan, audit yuan, and control yuan.
Head of state
Tsai Ing-wen, since May 2016.
Head of government
Lin Chuan, since May 2016.
Electricity
110 V, 60 Hz. The plugs have flat poles like in the USA, adapters are also available in Taiwan.
Time zone
China Standard Time: CET +9
MONEY
Currency
1 New Taiwan Dollar = 100 cents. Currency abbreviation: NT $, TWD (ISO code). Banknotes come in denominations of NT $ 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100; Coins worth NT $ 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 and 50 cents.
Credit cards
Major credit cards are accepted in many places (hotels, shops, restaurants), but not in taxis. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted throughout Europe and worldwide. With the EC card (Cirrus or Maestro) you can withdraw NT $ from banks or in small supermarkets (7-Eleven) in many places. Further information from banks and credit institutes.
Attention: Travelers who pay abroad with their bank customer card and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-3.30 p.m., e.g. T. longer.
Foreign exchange regulations
The import and export of the local currency is limited to NT $ 100,000; approval from the Central Bank of China is required for higher amounts. The import and export of the Chinese currency is limited to 20,000 renminbi.
Unrestricted import and export of foreign currencies, mandatory declaration from an equivalent value of US $ 10,000.
Note: Upon entry, there is a written declaration obligation for gold and silver objects (total value of gold up to US $ 20,000), as the export of gold and silver from Taiwan is prohibited and re-export is not permitted without a declaration.
Currency Exchange
The exchange is possible at the exchange offices in airports as well as at banks and in international hotels. Receipts will be issued for the exchange of money, which must be presented for the return of NT $ not spent before departure.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Although many business people speak English, an interpreter may be required. Appointments should be arranged in advance, and business cards are common. Punctuality is expected.
Business hours: Mo-Fr 8.30 a.m.-5.30 p.m., Sa 09.00 a.m.-12.00 p.m.
Economy
Taipei Trade Office (trade office)
Rheinstrasse 29, D-60325 Frankfurt / M
Tel: (069) 74 57 20/22.
Internet: Website: http://eweb.trade.gov.tw
Branch in Berlin (Tel: (030) 20 36 13 00).
German Business Office Taipei
4F, No. 4, Ming-Sheng East Road, Sec. 3, Taipei 104
Tel: (02) 25 06 90 28.
Internet: www.dwb-taipei.org.tw
Taipei Business and Culture Office in Vienna
Wagramer Strasse 19/11, A-1220 Vienna
Tel: (01) 212 47 20.
Internet: www.taipei.at
Taipei Trade Office
Kirchenfeldstrasse 14, CH-3005 Bern
Tel: (031) 352 27 15
Internet: Website: http://eweb.trade.gov.tw
Ministry of Economic Affairs ROC
15 Fuzhou Street, Taipei 10015
Tel: (02) 23 21 2200
Internet: Website: http://w2kdmz1.moea.gov.tw/english/index.asp
Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA)
333 Keelung Road, 5th-7th Floors, Sec. 1, Taipei 110
Tel: (02) 27 25 52 00.
Internet: www.taiwantrade.com.tw
Business contacts
Taipei Trade Office (trade office)
Rheinstrasse 29, D-60325 Frankfurt / M
Tel: (069) 74 57 20/22.
Internet: Website: http://eweb.trade.gov.tw
Branch in Berlin (Tel: (030) 20 36 13 00).
German Business Office Taipei
4F, No. 4, Ming-Sheng East Road, Sec. 3, Taipei 104
Tel: (02) 25 06 90 28.
Internet: www.dwb-taipei.org.tw
Taipei Business and Culture Office in Vienna
Wagramer Strasse 19/11, A-1220 Vienna
Tel: (01) 212 47 20.
Internet: www.taipei.at
Taipei Trade Office
Kirchenfeldstrasse 14, CH-3005 Bern
Tel: (031) 352 27 15
Internet: Website: http://eweb.trade.gov.tw
Ministry of Economic Affairs ROC
15 Fuzhou Street, Taipei 10015
Tel: (02) 23 21 2200
Internet: Website: http://w2kdmz1.moea.gov.tw/english/index.asp
Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA)
333 Keelung Road, 5th-7th Floors, Sec. 1, Taipei 110
Tel: (02) 27 25 52 00.
Internet: www.taiwantrade.com.tw
CULTURE
Religion
Mainly Buddhism and Daoism (together 93%); also I-Kuan Taoism, Christian and Islamic minorities. Confucian teaching is widespread.
Social rules of conduct
Manners: Shake hands to greet you. Discussions about the People’s Republic of China are common, but caution is advised. Despite the lightning-fast industrialization of the country, the traditional lifestyle has been preserved, especially in the country.
Formal attire is appropriate.
Tips are not common but are slowly taking hold. Hotels and restaurants charge 10% service charge, an additional tip is not necessary. Taxi drivers expect tips.
Smoke:Since mid-January 2009, there has been an absolute smoking ban in Taiwan almost everywhere. This affects hospitals, schools, theaters, libraries, office buildings, elevators, hotels, restaurants, karaoke bars, internet cafes, bus and train stations, etc. Smoking rooms have also been closed at airports. Anyone who violates the ban risks a fine of the equivalent of up to € 350.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Subtropical north with average temperatures of 16-33 ° C, tropical south with average temperatures of 20-32 ° C. Typhoons are most likely in July and August. This is the time when most of the precipitation falls on the island.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +886 Area (sqkm) 36188 Population 23415126 Population density (per sqkm) 647 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 112
