Description
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a state in East Asia. Neighbouring states include the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south. The island of Taiwan has an area of 35,808 square kilometres (13,826 sq mi), with mountain ranges dominating the eastern two-thirds and plains in the western third, where its highly urbanised population is concentrated. Taipei is the capital and largest metropolitan area. Other major cities include Kaohsiung, Taichung, Tainan and Taoyuan. With 23.7 million inhabitants, Taiwan is among the most densely populated states and is the most populous state and largest economy that is not a member of the United Nations (UN).
The flag of the Republic of China (also known as the Blue Sky, White Sun, and a Wholly Red Earth) consists of a red field with a blue canton bearing a white disc with twelve triangles surrounding it. The disc and triangles symbolise the sun and rays of light emanating from it respectively. The flag was originally designed by the anti-Qing group, Revive China Society in 1894 with the addition of the red field component in 1906 by Dr. Sun Yat-sen in speech. It was first used in mainland China as the Navy flag in 1912 and was made the official national flag of the Republic of China (ROC) in 1928 by the Kuomintang (KMT). It was enshrined in the sixth article of the Constitution of the Republic of China when it was promulgated in 1947. The flag is no longer officially used in mainland China, as the People’s Republic of China was founded in 1949.