People and Society of Taiwan

Nationality

Chinese/Taiwanese (singular and plural)

Ethnic Groups

Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2%

Population

23,024,956

Health facilities in Taiwan are adequate for routine and emergency medical treatment. Physicians are well trained and many have studied in the United States and speak English. State of the art medical equipment is available at many clinics and hospitals. Hospitals’ nursing services provide medication dispensing and wound care but generally not the daily patient maintenance functions found in U.S. hospitals. Taiwan regulations require ambulances to have emergency equipment and supplies and to be staffed by trained medical personnel (dial 119). For information on specific clinics and hospitals, please refer to AIT's website. You can find good information on vaccinations and other health precautions on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747), fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC’s website : http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/taiwan.htm Or Taiwan's CDC: http://www.cdc.gov.tw/mp.asp?mp=5

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist93.0%
• Christian4.5%
• other2.5%

Chinese: Mandarin (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects

• Mandarin

Crime Information

Although the overall violent crime rate in Taiwan is low, you should avoid high crime areas, namely areas where massage parlors, barbershops, and nightclubs operate as covers for prostitution and are often run by criminals. In contrast to these illegal fronts, ordinary barbershops and other legitimate businesses prominently advertise their services, and you can see the interiors through storefront windows. Illicit establishments generally do not advertise, and casual passersby cannot view their interiors. Several U.S. citizens have been assaulted in these establishments and in the areas near bar and nightclub districts. Taiwan’s public buses and subway are generally considered safe, but passengers in taxis – particularly women - should exercise caution when traveling alone in taxis late at night. In several parts of Taiwan, incidents of purse snatching by thieves on motorcycles have been reported. You should keep a photocopy of your passport, other identification, and credit cards in a safe place. Don't buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, but you may also be breaking local law. The emergency telephone number for Taiwan services (ambulance, fire, police) is 119. The number for police is 110. Victims of domestic violence or sexual assault may call 113. Taiwan Police also offers a 24 hour telephone line for foreigners in English: 0800-024-111.