Taiwanese

Taiwanese may refer to something of, from, or related to Taiwan, an island in East Asia. Taiwan is known for its bustling cities, traditional Chinese temples, hot springs resorts, and dramatic mountainous terrain. Taiwanese may also refer to:

• The Taiwanese people, the people of Taiwan, who may be divided into several groups based on linguistic and genetic differences.
• The Taiwanese language, a group of Hokkien dialects spoken by many people in Taiwan, which is a part of the Chinese language family.

History

The history of Taiwan dates back tens of thousands of years to the earliest known evidence of human habitation. The sudden appearance of a culture based on agriculture around 3000 BC is believed to reflect the arrival of the ancestors of today's Taiwanese indigenous peoples. The island was first brought to the attention of Western explorers with the 16th-century voyages of Portuguese and Spanish sailors, who named it "Formosa" (meaning "beautiful" in Portuguese).

Culture

Taiwanese culture has also been influenced by its geographic location. The oceanic culture is evident in seafood cuisines, surfing, and other ocean-related activities. The Taiwanese are also known for their politeness and hospitality.

Cuisine

Taiwanese cuisine itself is often associated with influences from mid to southern provinces of China, most notably from the province of Fujian (Hokkien), but influences from all of China can easily be found. A notable Japanese influence also exists due to the period when Taiwan was under Japanese rule. Traditional Chinese food can be found in Taiwan, alongside Fujian and Hakka-style dishes, as well as native Taiwanese dishes.

Politics

Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing government guidance of investment and foreign trade. In keeping with this trend, some large government-owned banks and industrial firms are being privatized.

See also

• History of Taiwan
• Culture of Taiwan
• Politics of Taiwan
• Economy of Taiwan