Nancy Wells, age 13, of Concord, N.H., for her question:
IS TAIWAN PART OF CHINA?
Taiwan is an island in the western Pacific ocean that is the seat of the Republic of China, or Nationalist China. In 1949 the Communists gained control of mainland China and the Nationalist government was forced to leave. Led by Chiang Kai shek, the Nationalists made Taiwan their new home.
Taiwan is separated from mainland Asia by the 100 mile wide Taiwan Strait. The island lies between the Philippine Islands on the south and Japan on the north.
The island of Taiwan is also known as Formosa from its Portuguese colonial days. The name comes from "Ilha Formosa," an expression used by the Portuguese sailors that meant "Beautiful Island."
Taiwan is a large island. It measures 240 miles in length. It has many peaks that are more than 10,000 feet high. Along the eastern side of the island are steep cliffs that rise from the sea.
Taiwan is part of the high west Pacific chain of volcanic islands. As a result, the land is often rattled by earthquakes.
Passing through Taiwan is the Tropic of Cancer.
Taiwan's climate is subtropical. More than 200 inches of rain fall in the mountains each year. The average January temperatures are in the 60s while July temperatures average 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Monsoon winds bring rain to Taiwan in summer and that's also the time for occasional destructive typhoons.
One of Taiwan's best natural resources is provided by the island forests. More than half of the island is covered with cypress, bamboo, palm and camphor trees. Natural camphor used to be an important export item.
Rice is a chief crop. Sugar, rice, vegetables and bananas are major agricultural exports. Taiwan is one of the world's leading producers of sugar. Tea is a leading export item although its importance has declined. Other top crops include sweet potatoes, pineapples, oranges and peanuts.
The island became a province of China in 1886 and it was then ceded to Japan by China in 1895 after the Sino Japanese War. Much of Taiwan's economic and population growth took place during the 50 years of Japanese occupation.
The Japanese used Taiwan as a base of operations during World War II. After the defeat of Japan in 1945, the island was returned to China.
Development of hydroelectric power has encouraged the growth of manufacturing on Taiwan. The textile industry dominates and is expanding with the production of cotton, wool, rayon and silk goods.
Other factories produce chemical fertilizers, which are needed to fertilize the island's soil.
Glass, leather and rubber goods, electrical equipment, cement, paper, refined metal and petroleum are increasingly important products on Taiwan. Food processing also is a major industry. In recent years Taiwan has become a major producer of electronics products for the whole world.
The capital of Taiwan is Taipei.