Taiwan explained to kids

Taiwan is an island located off the coast of southeastern China. It is about the same size as the US state of Maryland. Taiwan is home to over 23 million people. The capital city is Taipei. Taiwan is officially called the Republic of China. The island of Taiwan has a long history. It was first inhabited by indigenous peoples. These peoples were later replaced by Han Chinese settlers. In 1683, Taiwan became a part of the Qing Dynasty of China. In 1895, Taiwan was ceded to Japan after China lost the First Sino-Japanese War. Taiwan was governed by Japan until the end of World War II in 1945. After WWII, Taiwan was returned to China. However, the Chinese Nationalists, who were in control of China, were soon forced to flee to Taiwan by the Communist Party of China. Since then, Taiwan has been governed by the Republic of China. The Communist Party of China still claims Taiwan as part of its territory. The official language of Taiwan is Mandarin Chinese. However, many Taiwanese also speak Taiwanese, a form of Chinese that is spoken in Taiwan. Taiwan is a democracy. The president is the head of state. The prime minister is the head of government. Taiwan is a beautiful island. It has mountains, forests, and beaches. Taiwan is also known for its delicious food. Taiwanese cuisine includes a variety of dishes, such as beef noodle soup, dumplings, and sticky rice. Taiwan is a great place to visit. If you ever have a chance to go, you should definitely take it!