Taiwan: The forgotten home of diversity

Did you know that the 36,000 square kilometer Taiwan is the home to nearly 400 hundred species of butterflies?

This kingdom of butterflies also boasts of a diversity of other species including orchids, owing to its more than 265 high mountains with elevations higher than 3,000 meters above sea level.

Taiwan ambassador to Kenya, John Chen, says his country produces more than 50% of the world’s orchids, calling it a hidden paradise with great scenic spots.

“It is not well known to the world as far as beauty is concerned, but it is quite an amazing country,” he says.

“The people here are so friendly; we are actually the second safest country in the world.”

Technology

Even as Taiwan receives tourists from all over the world, this middle sized country with a population of 23 million people outruns many countries in economic performance and technological development, being ranked world’s number one in 37 technological items.

“We are leading in many fields. We are among top five fishery countries in the world. We are the number two producer of high end bicycles. If you open up your cell phones, perhaps more than 50% of the spare parts are produced by Taiwanese companies,” he added.

Culture

“Culturally, people consider we are real Chinese because in China they almost lost their roots because of Cultural Revolution. In Taiwan, we put great emphasis in preservation of Chinese culture and traditions, even the Chinese elites who travel to Taiwan found out that real Chinese tradition is here in Taiwan.”

Ambassador Chen says that Taiwan also has diversified culture, including Western, European, Spanish culture as well as Japanese, with this diversification attracting tourists to sample their luscious Taiwan cuisine.

As you walk through Taipei, Taiwan’s capital city, it would be hard to miss Taipei 101, the 101 floor skyscraper landmark that was once the tallest building in the world, a fit now held by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa.