Taiwan always reminds me of the “little engine that could”. Despite having to endure an extremely hostile neighbour, the country has prospered, is democratic, and is friendly and welcoming to visitors, despite the fact that most governments do not officially recognize its existence. Side 1 shows the capital city of Taipei, a bustling economic powerhouse on the Damshui River, close to the ocean. The city has numerous hotels and shopping areas, and a well-developed subway network.
The second side covers the complete island of Formosa from top to bottom in excellent detail, as well as the off-shore Penghu islands (these can be reached by ferries from Kaohsung or Dongshih). Most of the country’s development is on the western, or Taiwan Straits, side of the mountainous country, but to me the Taroka Gorge, leading inland from Hualien on the east coast, is one of the wonders of modern Asia. An inset map of Tainan in southeast Taiwan is also included.