Taiwan , officially the Republic of China , is a state in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China now governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, and other minor islands. Neighboring states include the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east and northeast, and the Philippines to the south. Taipei is the capital city and economic and cultural centre of the country, and New Taipei is the most populous city. The earliest evidence of inhabitation of Taiwan dates back to the late... Paleolithic era. The island of Taiwan was mainly inhabited by Taiwanese aborigines before being colonized in the 17th century by the Dutch and the Spanish Empire. The first Han Chinese polity on Taiwan began when Koxinga's troops defeated Dutch forces and established the Kingdom of Tungning. The island was subsequently ruled by the Qing Dynasty after the kingdom's defeat in the Battle of Penghu in 1683, a period that lasted for over 200 years.
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| Founded: | October 10, 1911 |
| Capital: | Taipei |
| Population: | 22,858,872 |
| Official language: | Standard Mandarin |
| Currency: | New Taiwan dollar |
| Area: | 13,972.3 sq. mi. |
| GDP: | $393,200,000,000 |
| Form of government: | Semi-presidential system, Republic, Government in exile |
| Also known as: | Taiwan, Taiwan, Republic of China, China Taipei |