Taiwan
Taiwan
- Capital
- Taipei
- Population
- 23,503,349
- Region
- Asia
- Languages
- Chinese
Taiwan is home to a unique recycling culture where garbage trucks play classical music, such as Beethoven's Fur Elise, to alert residents to bring out their trash. The country has achieved one of the world's highest recycling rates by implementing a system where citizens must use certified pre-paid bags. This musical approach transformed a mundane chore into a communal social event across urban neighborhoods. Additionally, convenience stores in Taiwan offer an extraordinary range of services, allowing citizens to pay taxes, ship packages, and even print legal documents at any hour of the day.
Currency
The official currency is the New Taiwan Dollar, identified by the ISO code TWD. It was introduced in 1949 to replace the Old Taiwan Dollar at a rate of 40,000 to 1 in an effort to end the hyperinflation that plagued the region following World War II. Since its inception, the currency has become one of the most stable and widely used vehicles for trade in the East Asian economy.
Flag symbolism
The flag features a red field with a blue canton containing a white sun with twelve triangular rays. The three colors represent the Three Principles of the People: blue for nationalism and liberty, white for democracy and equality, and red for the people's livelihood and fraternity. The twelve rays of the white sun symbolize the twelve months of the year and the twelve traditional Chinese hours, representing spirit and progress. This design signifies the transition from the darkness of tyranny to the light of a modern democratic republic.
Emblem history
The national emblem, known as the Blue Sky with a White Sun, was originally designed by Lu Hao-tung during the late 19th century to serve as a revolutionary party symbol. It was officially adopted in 1928 and remains the primary state symbol, appearing on everything from military insignias to the covers of passports. The symmetry of the sun rays symbolizes the equality of all citizens and the unwavering spirit of the nation. Unlike many traditional coats of arms, it lacks a shield or supporters, focusing entirely on the solar iconography to emphasize a bright future and constant renewal.