Taiwan is an island in the western Pacific Ocean that lies roughly 100 miles (160 km) off the coast of southeastern China. Taipei, in the north, is the seat of government of the Republic of China (ROC; Nationalist China). With its unique fusion of cultures, breathtaking scenery, diverse cuisine, exciting city life and well-developed hospitality industry, Taiwan is an ideal destination for many types of travelers. People from China gradually came into contact with Taiwan by the time of the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) and Han Chinese people started settling there by the early 17th century. The island became known by the West when Portuguese explorers discovered it in the 16th century and named it Formosa. The Republic of China (ROC; Chinese: 中華民國; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Mínguó), commonly known as Taiwan, is a self-governing country in East Asia. The Republic of China once governed all of China (from 1911 to 1949) but moved to the island of Taiwan after their defeat in a Chinese civil war. Welcome to the Official Portal Website of the Republic of China, Taiwan. Discover all the government's online information and services here. Taiwan (Republic of China) is located about 160 km off the Southeast coast of the continent of Asia, at the western edge of the Pacific Ocean between Japan and the Philippines. A survey of notable events and people in the history of Taiwan. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, the island of Taiwan lies roughly 100 miles (160 km) off the coast of southeastern China. With around 23.9 million inhabitants, Taiwan is among the most densely populated countries. Taiwan has been settled for at least 25,000 years. Ancestors of Taiwanese indigenous peoples settled the island around 6,000 years ago. Where exactly in the world is Taiwan? Well, you could simply check its location here on GoogleMaps. But in this article, I'll dive a little deeper, with several maps and interesting facts related to Taiwan's location. For travelers, you may also like this interactive map of Taiwan that made, with clickable location pins that will Plan your Taiwan trip with this ultimate guide: top attractions, itineraries, food tips, transportation, culture, and travel advice for every traveler.