W2-Your country

Where is my country? Taiwan, it is between Japan and the Philippines, next to China. Taiwan's total land area is only about 36000 km2  . 212.5 Taiwan=1 Australia. Our capital is Taipei.

Taiwan is shaped like a leaf that is narrow at both ends. It is located on the western edge of the Pacific vim of fire. The geography has majestic peaks, rolling hills, plains, basins and coastlines and other wonders. It has a lot earthquakes every year. The island of Taiwan has the highest density of tall mountains in the world. There are 258 peaks over 3000 meters. Taiwan has the only Marble gorge in the world.

The population in Taiwan was 23,315, 822 in 2012 and Australia is 23,029,674 in 2013, which means that our populations ate the same but Taiwan is smaller than Australia. You can imagine how crowded it is in Taiwan. Taiwan had the second highest population density in the world rankings in 2011. Because of its small area, we make our life convenient everywhere. We have 24hr stores with 4 systems, 24hr  book stores, day markets and night markets everyday in different areas. You can taste many different styles of snack, dinner or drink any where.

The most famous kinds of food are Xiao Long Bao, oyster Vermicelli, stinky tofu, meat zong, sausage rice with meat, bubble tea etc. The people who live on the island speak different languages. Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hakka and Indigenous languages. Most people can speak Mandarin.  We respect different religions.  It doesn't matter if you believe in Buddhism, Taoism or Christianity etc. You have religious freedom.

About 20 years ago, our buildings started to change because of the population growth. Our traditional architecture was beautiful, but now we have many modern buildings and the buildings are getting higher.( It is not healthy.) The worlds tallest building was constructed in Taiwan. (I meaning a building not a tower) Taipei 101 is 508 meters in height. (But there is a new building in Dubai which is higher than Taipei 101. ) Also we have the most beautiful station in the world.

Every year we have many different activities or festivals to celebrate things. The most important celebrations in Taiwan are New Year ( Taipei 101 will have fire works), Chinese New Year (We will get red envelopes and put sky lanterns etc.), the Dragon boat festival and the moon festival.