Demographics


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	Population/Demographics The population currently is a little over 22 million inhabitants. 85% are native Taiwanese; descendants of early migrants from Mainland China. Most of the remaining 15% is made up of Chinese people who left the mainland in 1949. Less than 1% of the population is made up of aboriginal peoples who mainly live in the mountains and small outlying islands.


	Language Mandarin Chinese is the official language of Taiwan. It is taught in all public schools and is used in all branches of the government and by the majority of the media. However, more than 50% of the population speaks Taiwanese at home. A small percentage speak Hakkanese, and there are also 10 distinct aboriginal languages.


	Religion About 90% of the Taiwanese practice a blend of Buddhism and Taoism with a heavy Confucian influence. Many Taiwanese have an area or room in their homes where they build elaborate altars for the worship and remembrance of their ancestors. Between 2 and 5% of the population is Christian.

Climate
Taiwan lies along the 120th parallel and between 22 and 27 degrees north of the Equator and is nearly bisected by the Tropic of Cancer. Northern Taiwan has four distinct but mild seasonal changes, and southern Taiwan has two. The humidity is generally high year round.

		SPRING
	Temperature	17-25C, 65-78F
	Rainfall	"Plum Rains" in May and June
	General	Mostly Sunny and Mild
		SUMMER
	Temperature	23-36C, 75-96F
	Rainfall	Afternoon rain showers often, also the most likely time for typhoons
	General	Very hot and humid
		FALL
	Temperature	20-27C, 68-81F
	Rainfall	Little rain and low humidity
	General	Pleasant temperatures and mostly sunny
		WINTER
	Temperature	12-24C, 52-72F
	Rainfall	Some heavy rains in the north, often drizzly with gusty winds
	General	Frequent rains and often windy

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"Plum Rains" in May and June

Mostly Sunny and Mild