Political divisions of the Republic of China
Encyclopedia
The Republic of China (ROC)
, commonly known as Taiwan, currently governs Taiwan Area, consists of four main island groups of Taiwan
, Penghu, Kinmen
, Matsu
and some minor islands. The whole country divided into two streamlined provinces (Taiwan
and Fujian
) and five special municipalities (Kaohsiung
, New Taipei, Taichung
, Tainan
and Taipei
); the two streamlined provinces further subdivided into 3 provincial cities and 14 counties
.
Since Taiwan province was streamlined in 1997, all 5 special municipalities, 3 provincial cities and 14 counties
are directly under the central government
(i.e., Executive Yuan
).
, following most of the administrative areas from Qing Dynasty
, but divided Inner Mongolia
into four provinces, and setup few couples of Yuan-controlled municipalities. After the World War II
in 1945, Manchuria
was reincorporated into the Republic of China as 9 provinces. Taiwan
and the Pescadores
was also returned to the Republic of China and was organized into Taiwan Province
. By this time the top-level divisions was a total of 35 Provinces, 12 Yuan-controlled municipalities, one Special administrative region
and Two Regions (Mongolia
and Tibet
).
to the Communist Party of China
in the Chinese Civil War
and its retreat to Taiwan
in 1949. The jurisdiction of the ROC was restricted to only Taiwan
, the Pescadores
, and a few offshore islands of Fukien, which also called the "Free Area of the Republic of China
" in the Constitution. In most ordinary legislation, the term "Taiwan Area" is used in place of the "Free Area", while Mainland China is referred to as the "Mainland Area".
The Kuomintang
(KMT) continued to regard the Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China
, so the published divisions still includes whole the territory of the ROC government's claim, including mainland China
and Outer Mongolia
, which kept in place to validate its claim as the legal government of China.
Maps of China
and the world published in Taiwan sometimes show provincial and national boundaries as they were in 1949, not matching the current administrative structure as decided by the Communist Party of China
post-1949 and including outer Mongolia
, northern Burma
, and Tannu Uriankhai
(part of which is present-day Tuva
in Russia
) as part of China (territories over which the PRC has renounced sovereignty). In the meantime, the Republic of China has not recognized any of the changes made to the administrative structure of the mainland, and has never retracted its claim to mainland China and Outer Mongolia
. Accordingly, the official first-order divisions of Republic of China remain the historical divisions of China immediately prior to the loss of mainland China.
The ROC government also made some changes in the area under its control, two more municipalities have been set up in Taiwan
(Taipei
in 1967, Kaohsiung
in 1979), the number of municipalities becomes 14. And the provincial governments of Fujian and Taiwan have been largely streamlined, since 1949 and 1998, respectively. As the final version of division list in 2005, The political divisions of the ROC becomes: 35 provinces, 1 special administrative region
, 2 Regions (Tibet
and Outer Mongolia
), 14 special municipalities
, 14 leagues, and 4 special banners. For second-order divisions, under provinces and special administrative regions, there are counties, provincial cities (56), bureaus (34) and management bureaus (7). Under provincial-level municipalities there are districts, and under leagues there are banners (127).
(but still claims Sovereignty
). There are two provinces (Taiwan
and Fukien) and two special municipalities (Taipei
and Kaohsiung
). In 2010, New Taipei, Taichung
and Tainan
are upgraded to special municipalities.
Recently, the government states the top-level divisions of ROC should be two streamlined provinces, five special municipalities, fourteen counties and three provincial cities.
, as its existence was part of a larger controversy over the political status of Taiwan
. Since 1997, most of the Taiwan provincial government's duties and powers have been transferred to the national government of the Republic of China
in the constitutional changes. The much smaller Fujian province consisting of Kinmen
and Matsu
, on the other hand, had most of its authority passed off to its two counties.
, similar to the cross-departmental mode of working in the Government Office
s in England. These regions, laid out the Comprehensive National Spatial Development
Plan for Taiwan (臺灣地區國土綜合開發計劃), can be considered a de facto
level of government, perhaps equivalent to de jure
provinces or similar to the English regions. There is one regional service center for each of the Southern Taiwan Region (with the center in Kaohsiung), the Central Taiwan Region (Taichung), and the Eastern Taiwan Region (Hualien). The Northern Taiwan Region is served by Taipei, the central government's administrative headquarters and de facto capital.
Before 2008, the likelihood of consolidation was low. Many of the cities had a political geography which were very different from their surrounding counties, making the prospect of consolidation highly politically charged. For example, while the Kuomintang
argued that combining Taipei City, Taipei County
, and Keelung City into a metropolitan Taipei region would allow for better regional planning, the Democratic Progressive Party
argued that this is merely an excuse to eliminate the government of Taipei County, which it had at times controlled, by swamping it with votes from Taipei City and Keelung City, which tended to vote Kuomintang
.
On 1 October 2007, per legislation newly coming into force, Taipei County was upgraded to become a quasi-municipality (準直轄市) on the same level as Kaohsiung City and Taipei City. It is allowed the organizational and budgetary framework of a de jure municipality, but is still formally styled as a county. The Taichung County and City were also lobbying the central government for a similar status. Following the example of Taipei County, Taoyuan County is also set to be upgraded to a quasi-municipality on 1 January 2011, on the condition that its population stays above 2 million at the date of elevation.
President Ma Ying-jeou
of Kuomintang in his 2008 election campaign platform advocated for a rearrangement of three municipalities and 15 counties. Since his inauguration, his administration had started to prepare for this. At the end of this process, proposals for the following were approved by the Ministry of the Interior on 23 June 2009: promotion of Taipei County to become the city of New Taipei awaiting further merger with Taipei Municipality and Keelung City, the merger of Kaohsiung Municipality and County, and the merger of the City and County to form a promoted Taichung Municipality. In the same meeting, the merger of the City and County of Tainan was referred to the Cabinet (Executive Yuan). This merger and promotion proposal was finally approved on 29 June 2009 to give the Tainan Municipality (臺南市). All these re-arrangements were finally carried out on 25 December 2010.
The number at the end are the amount of entities as of December 31, 2010:
Under the ROC administrative scheme, some cities and counties may share the same name, but are independent administrations, this happens in Chiayi City and Chiayi County, Hsinchu City and Hsinchu County. Generally, special municipalities have the largest administrative area of all three levels of cities, then provincial cities, and finally county-controlled cities, in that order.
(Taiwan
), directly governed by the Executive Yuan
. In the laws, a place gathered more than 1.25 million residents and with political, economical or cultural importance may become a special municipality.
. In the laws, a place gathered residents between 0.5 million and 1.25 million and with political, economical or cultural importance may become a provincial city.
. In ROC laws, a county with more than two million residents can acquire some status equal to a special municipality. Taipei County had used this rule since October 2007 until elevated to New Taipei City in December 2010; while this rule also applied to Taoyuan County from 2011.
may divided into rural townships , urban townships and county-controlled cities . In the laws, a place gathered more than 150 thousand residents may become a county-controlled cities. Special municipalities and provincial cities are divided into districts .
used for ROC placenames above the county level is a modified form of Wade-Giles
, ignoring the apostrophes and hyphens of the original, thus yielding "Taipei" instead of "T'ai-pei" and "Yilan" instead of "I-lan", for example. Some postal map romanizations also exist, like "Keelung" and "Kinmen".
In 2002, Tongyong Pinyin
was adopted to be the national standard of Chinese romanizations. Most townships and county-controlled cities
are romanized in this way at this time. However, some local administrations, like Taipei
and Taichung
decided to use Hanyu Pinyin. In 2009, Tongyong Pinyin was replaced by Hanyu Pinyin as the ROC government standard. Recently, Most of the divisions are romanized by Hanyu Pinyin system, but some local government still use Tongyong Pinyin
as well, like Kaohsiung
. In 2011, the ROC minister of the Interior restored historical romanizations for two towns, Lukang and Tamsui, which developed in early times.
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
, commonly known as Taiwan, currently governs Taiwan Area, consists of four main island groups of Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, Penghu, Kinmen
Kinmen
Kinmen , also known as Quemoy , is a small archipelago of several islands administered by the Republic of China : Greater Kinmen, Lesser Kinmen, and some islets. Administratively, it is Kinmen County of Fujian Province, ROC. The county is claimed by the People's Republic of China as part of its...
, Matsu
Matsu
Matsu may refer to:* Matsu Islands, islands of the Republic of China* Matsu , a sea goddess in Chinese folk religion* Matsu, a book by Osamu Dazai* Matanuska-Susitna Valley, an area in south-central Alaska...
and some minor islands. The whole country divided into two streamlined provinces (Taiwan
Taiwan Province
Taiwan Province is one of the two administrative divisions referred to as provinces and is controlled by the Republic of China . The province covers approximately 73% of the territory controlled by the Republic of China...
and Fujian
Fujian Province (Republic of China)
Fujian Province is a province on the coast of southeastern China. Since 1949, Fujian has been split between two separate governments: the vast majority of Fujian province has been governed by the People's Republic of China ; while a number of offshore islands have been governed by the Republic of...
) and five special municipalities (Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung is a city located in southwestern Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait on the west. Kaohsiung, officially named Kaohsiung City, is divided into thirty-eight districts. The city is one of five special municipalities of the Republic of China...
, New Taipei, Taichung
Taichung
-Demographics:Taichung’s population was an estimated 1,040,725 in August 2006. There are slightly more females in the city than males.24.32% of residents are children, while 16.63% are young people, 52.68% are middle-age, and 6.73% are elderly....
, Tainan
Tainan
Tainan City is a city in southern Taiwan. It is the fifth largest after New Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Taipei. It was formerly a provincial city, and in 2010, the provincial city merged with the adjacent Tainan County to form a single special municipality. Tainan faces the Taiwan Strait in...
and Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
); the two streamlined provinces further subdivided into 3 provincial cities and 14 counties
County (Republic of China)
Counties , are one of administrative divisions within the Republic of China . They are officially found at the second level. However, the streamlining of Taiwan Province and Fukien Province has effectively promoted the county the first level below the Republic of China central government's rule...
.
Since Taiwan province was streamlined in 1997, all 5 special municipalities, 3 provincial cities and 14 counties
County (Republic of China)
Counties , are one of administrative divisions within the Republic of China . They are officially found at the second level. However, the streamlining of Taiwan Province and Fukien Province has effectively promoted the county the first level below the Republic of China central government's rule...
are directly under the central government
Government of the Republic of China
The Republic of China was formally established by Dr. Sun Yat-sen in 1912 in Nanjing under the Provisional Constitution of the Republic of China but this government was moved to Beijing in the same year and continued as the internationally recognized government of China until 1928. In the history...
(i.e., Executive Yuan
Executive Yuan
The Executive Yuan is the executive branch of the government of the Republic of China , commonly known as "Taiwan".-Organization and structure:...
).
Early years
The Republic of China was founded on Mainland ChinaMainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
, following most of the administrative areas from Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
, but divided Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China, located in the northern region of the country. Inner Mongolia shares an international border with the countries of Mongolia and the Russian Federation...
into four provinces, and setup few couples of Yuan-controlled municipalities. After the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in 1945, Manchuria
Manchuria
Manchuria is a historical name given to a large geographic region in northeast Asia. Depending on the definition of its extent, Manchuria usually falls entirely within the People's Republic of China, or is sometimes divided between China and Russia. The region is commonly referred to as Northeast...
was reincorporated into the Republic of China as 9 provinces. Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and the Pescadores
Pescadores
The Penghu Islands, also known as Pescadores are an archipelago off the western coast of Taiwan in the Taiwan Strait consisting of 90 small islands and islets covering an area of 141 square kilometers....
was also returned to the Republic of China and was organized into Taiwan Province
Taiwan Province
Taiwan Province is one of the two administrative divisions referred to as provinces and is controlled by the Republic of China . The province covers approximately 73% of the territory controlled by the Republic of China...
. By this time the top-level divisions was a total of 35 Provinces, 12 Yuan-controlled municipalities, one Special administrative region
Special administrative region (Republic of China)
In the subdivision of the Republic of China , "special administrative regions" were historically used to designate special areas, most of which were eventually converted into provinces...
and Two Regions (Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
and Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
).
Government on Taiwan
After its loss of mainland ChinaMainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
to the Communist Party of China
Communist Party of China
The Communist Party of China , also known as the Chinese Communist Party , is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China...
in the Chinese Civil War
Chinese Civil War
The Chinese Civil War was a civil war fought between the Kuomintang , the governing party of the Republic of China, and the Communist Party of China , for the control of China which eventually led to China's division into two Chinas, Republic of China and People's Republic of...
and its retreat to Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
in 1949. The jurisdiction of the ROC was restricted to only Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, the Pescadores
Pescadores
The Penghu Islands, also known as Pescadores are an archipelago off the western coast of Taiwan in the Taiwan Strait consisting of 90 small islands and islets covering an area of 141 square kilometers....
, and a few offshore islands of Fukien, which also called the "Free Area of the Republic of China
Free Area of the Republic of China
The Free area of the Republic of China is a legal and political description referring to the territories under the control of the government of Republic of China , consisting of the island groups of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and some minor islands...
" in the Constitution. In most ordinary legislation, the term "Taiwan Area" is used in place of the "Free Area", while Mainland China is referred to as the "Mainland Area".
The Kuomintang
Kuomintang
The Kuomintang of China , sometimes romanized as Guomindang via the Pinyin transcription system or GMD for short, and translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party is a founding and ruling political party of the Republic of China . Its guiding ideology is the Three Principles of the People, espoused...
(KMT) continued to regard the Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, so the published divisions still includes whole the territory of the ROC government's claim, including mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
and Outer Mongolia
Outer Mongolia
Outer Mongolia was a territory of the Qing Dynasty = the Manchu Empire. Its area was roughly equivalent to that of the modern state of Mongolia, which is sometimes informally called "Outer Mongolia" today...
, which kept in place to validate its claim as the legal government of China.
Maps of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and the world published in Taiwan sometimes show provincial and national boundaries as they were in 1949, not matching the current administrative structure as decided by the Communist Party of China
Communist Party of China
The Communist Party of China , also known as the Chinese Communist Party , is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China...
post-1949 and including outer Mongolia
Outer Mongolia
Outer Mongolia was a territory of the Qing Dynasty = the Manchu Empire. Its area was roughly equivalent to that of the modern state of Mongolia, which is sometimes informally called "Outer Mongolia" today...
, northern Burma
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
, and Tannu Uriankhai
Tannu Uriankhai
Tannu Uriankhai is a historic region of the Mongol Empire and, later, the Qing Dynasty. The realms of Tannu Uriankhai largely correspond to the Tuva Republic of the Russian Federation, neighboring areas in Russia, and a part of the modern state of Mongolia....
(part of which is present-day Tuva
Tuva
The Tyva Republic , or Tuva , is a federal subject of Russia . It lies in the geographical center of Asia, in southern Siberia. The republic borders with the Altai Republic, the Republic of Khakassia, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Irkutsk Oblast, and the Republic of Buryatia in Russia and with Mongolia to the...
in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
) as part of China (territories over which the PRC has renounced sovereignty). In the meantime, the Republic of China has not recognized any of the changes made to the administrative structure of the mainland, and has never retracted its claim to mainland China and Outer Mongolia
Outer Mongolia
Outer Mongolia was a territory of the Qing Dynasty = the Manchu Empire. Its area was roughly equivalent to that of the modern state of Mongolia, which is sometimes informally called "Outer Mongolia" today...
. Accordingly, the official first-order divisions of Republic of China remain the historical divisions of China immediately prior to the loss of mainland China.
The ROC government also made some changes in the area under its control, two more municipalities have been set up in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
(Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
in 1967, Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung is a city located in southwestern Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait on the west. Kaohsiung, officially named Kaohsiung City, is divided into thirty-eight districts. The city is one of five special municipalities of the Republic of China...
in 1979), the number of municipalities becomes 14. And the provincial governments of Fujian and Taiwan have been largely streamlined, since 1949 and 1998, respectively. As the final version of division list in 2005, The political divisions of the ROC becomes: 35 provinces, 1 special administrative region
Special administrative region (Republic of China)
In the subdivision of the Republic of China , "special administrative regions" were historically used to designate special areas, most of which were eventually converted into provinces...
, 2 Regions (Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
and Outer Mongolia
Outer Mongolia
Outer Mongolia was a territory of the Qing Dynasty = the Manchu Empire. Its area was roughly equivalent to that of the modern state of Mongolia, which is sometimes informally called "Outer Mongolia" today...
), 14 special municipalities
Direct-controlled municipality
A direct-controlled municipality is the highest level classification for cities used by unitary state, with status equal to that of the provinces in the respective countries...
, 14 leagues, and 4 special banners. For second-order divisions, under provinces and special administrative regions, there are counties, provincial cities (56), bureaus (34) and management bureaus (7). Under provincial-level municipalities there are districts, and under leagues there are banners (127).
Recent changes
Since 2005, the ROC government stops its claim to the divisions of mainland ChinaMainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
(but still claims Sovereignty
Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided...
). There are two provinces (Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and Fukien) and two special municipalities (Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
and Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung is a city located in southwestern Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait on the west. Kaohsiung, officially named Kaohsiung City, is divided into thirty-eight districts. The city is one of five special municipalities of the Republic of China...
). In 2010, New Taipei, Taichung
Taichung
-Demographics:Taichung’s population was an estimated 1,040,725 in August 2006. There are slightly more females in the city than males.24.32% of residents are children, while 16.63% are young people, 52.68% are middle-age, and 6.73% are elderly....
and Tainan
Tainan
Tainan City is a city in southern Taiwan. It is the fifth largest after New Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Taipei. It was formerly a provincial city, and in 2010, the provincial city merged with the adjacent Tainan County to form a single special municipality. Tainan faces the Taiwan Strait in...
are upgraded to special municipalities.
Recently, the government states the top-level divisions of ROC should be two streamlined provinces, five special municipalities, fourteen counties and three provincial cities.
Streamline of Provinces
Since 1949, the most controversial part of the political division system of the ROC has been the existence of the Taiwan ProvinceTaiwan Province
Taiwan Province is one of the two administrative divisions referred to as provinces and is controlled by the Republic of China . The province covers approximately 73% of the territory controlled by the Republic of China...
, as its existence was part of a larger controversy over the political status of Taiwan
Political status of Taiwan
The controversy regarding the political status of Taiwan hinges on whether Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu should remain effectively independent as territory of the Republic of China , become unified with the territories now governed by the People's Republic of China , or formally declare...
. Since 1997, most of the Taiwan provincial government's duties and powers have been transferred to the national government of the Republic of China
Government of the Republic of China
The Republic of China was formally established by Dr. Sun Yat-sen in 1912 in Nanjing under the Provisional Constitution of the Republic of China but this government was moved to Beijing in the same year and continued as the internationally recognized government of China until 1928. In the history...
in the constitutional changes. The much smaller Fujian province consisting of Kinmen
Kinmen
Kinmen , also known as Quemoy , is a small archipelago of several islands administered by the Republic of China : Greater Kinmen, Lesser Kinmen, and some islets. Administratively, it is Kinmen County of Fujian Province, ROC. The county is claimed by the People's Republic of China as part of its...
and Matsu
Matsu Islands
The Matsu Islands are a minor archipelago of 19 islands and islets in the Taiwan Strait administered as Lienchiang County , Fujian Province of the Republic of China . Only a small area of what is historically Lienchiang County is under the control of the ROC...
, on the other hand, had most of its authority passed off to its two counties.
Joint Service Centers of Executive Yuan
The central government operates three regional Joint Service Centers (區域聯合服務中心) outside Taipei as outposts of the government ministries in the Executive YuanExecutive Yuan
The Executive Yuan is the executive branch of the government of the Republic of China , commonly known as "Taiwan".-Organization and structure:...
, similar to the cross-departmental mode of working in the Government Office
Government Office
Government Offices for the English Regions were established in 1994 by the John Major administration. Until 2011, they were the primary means by which a wide range of policies and programmes of the Government of the United Kingdom were delivered in the regions of England.There were Government...
s in England. These regions, laid out the Comprehensive National Spatial Development
Spatial planning
Spatial planning refers to the methods used by the public sector to influence the distribution of people and activities in spaces of various scales. Discrete professional disciplines which involve spatial planning include land use planning, urban planning, regional planning, transport planning and...
Plan for Taiwan (臺灣地區國土綜合開發計劃), can be considered a de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
level of government, perhaps equivalent to de jure
De jure
De jure is an expression that means "concerning law", as contrasted with de facto, which means "concerning fact".De jure = 'Legally', De facto = 'In fact'....
provinces or similar to the English regions. There is one regional service center for each of the Southern Taiwan Region (with the center in Kaohsiung), the Central Taiwan Region (Taichung), and the Eastern Taiwan Region (Hualien). The Northern Taiwan Region is served by Taipei, the central government's administrative headquarters and de facto capital.
Re-organization
There has been some criticism of the current administrative scheme as being inefficient and inconducive to regional planning. In particular, most of the administrative cities are much smaller than the actual metropolitan areas, and there are no formal means for coordinating policy between an administrative city and its surrounding areas.Before 2008, the likelihood of consolidation was low. Many of the cities had a political geography which were very different from their surrounding counties, making the prospect of consolidation highly politically charged. For example, while the Kuomintang
Kuomintang
The Kuomintang of China , sometimes romanized as Guomindang via the Pinyin transcription system or GMD for short, and translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party is a founding and ruling political party of the Republic of China . Its guiding ideology is the Three Principles of the People, espoused...
argued that combining Taipei City, Taipei County
Taipei County
New Taipei City is the most populous city of Taiwan. The area includes a substantial stretch of Taiwan's northern coastline and surrounds the Taipei Basin...
, and Keelung City into a metropolitan Taipei region would allow for better regional planning, the Democratic Progressive Party
Democratic Progressive Party
The Democratic Progressive Party is a political party in Taiwan, and the dominant party in the Pan-Green Coalition. Founded in 1986, DPP is the first meaningful opposition party in Taiwan. It has traditionally been associated with strong advocacy of human rights and a distinct Taiwanese identity,...
argued that this is merely an excuse to eliminate the government of Taipei County, which it had at times controlled, by swamping it with votes from Taipei City and Keelung City, which tended to vote Kuomintang
Kuomintang
The Kuomintang of China , sometimes romanized as Guomindang via the Pinyin transcription system or GMD for short, and translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party is a founding and ruling political party of the Republic of China . Its guiding ideology is the Three Principles of the People, espoused...
.
On 1 October 2007, per legislation newly coming into force, Taipei County was upgraded to become a quasi-municipality (準直轄市) on the same level as Kaohsiung City and Taipei City. It is allowed the organizational and budgetary framework of a de jure municipality, but is still formally styled as a county. The Taichung County and City were also lobbying the central government for a similar status. Following the example of Taipei County, Taoyuan County is also set to be upgraded to a quasi-municipality on 1 January 2011, on the condition that its population stays above 2 million at the date of elevation.
President Ma Ying-jeou
Ma Ying-jeou
Ma Ying-jeou is the 12th term and current President of the Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan, and the Chairman of the Kuomintang Party, also known as the Chinese Nationalist Party. He formerly served as Justice Minister from 1993 to 1996, Mayor of Taipei from 1998 to 2006, and Chairman...
of Kuomintang in his 2008 election campaign platform advocated for a rearrangement of three municipalities and 15 counties. Since his inauguration, his administration had started to prepare for this. At the end of this process, proposals for the following were approved by the Ministry of the Interior on 23 June 2009: promotion of Taipei County to become the city of New Taipei awaiting further merger with Taipei Municipality and Keelung City, the merger of Kaohsiung Municipality and County, and the merger of the City and County to form a promoted Taichung Municipality. In the same meeting, the merger of the City and County of Tainan was referred to the Cabinet (Executive Yuan). This merger and promotion proposal was finally approved on 29 June 2009 to give the Tainan Municipality (臺南市). All these re-arrangements were finally carried out on 25 December 2010.
Re-organization on 25 December 2010
- Kaohsiung CountyKaohsiung CountyKaohsiung County was a county in southern Taiwan that enclosed but did not include Kaohsiung City. On December 25, 2010, the county merged with Kaohsiung City to form a single special municipality.- Administration :-External links:*...
was merged with the special municipality of KaohsiungKaohsiungKaohsiung is a city located in southwestern Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait on the west. Kaohsiung, officially named Kaohsiung City, is divided into thirty-eight districts. The city is one of five special municipalities of the Republic of China...
to form a single special municipality - Taichung CountyTaichung CountyTaichung County was a county in central Taiwan, the Republic of China, that surrounded but did not include Taichung City. The name Taichung means "central Taiwan"...
was merged with the provincial city of TaichungTaichung-Demographics:Taichung’s population was an estimated 1,040,725 in August 2006. There are slightly more females in the city than males.24.32% of residents are children, while 16.63% are young people, 52.68% are middle-age, and 6.73% are elderly....
to form a single special municipality - Tainan CountyTainan CountyTainan County was located in southern Taiwan. The name "Tainan" means "Southern Taiwan". Formerly a county of the Republic of China , Tainan County was merged with Tainan City at the end of 2010 to form a single special municipality....
was merged with the provincial city of TainanTainanTainan City is a city in southern Taiwan. It is the fifth largest after New Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Taipei. It was formerly a provincial city, and in 2010, the provincial city merged with the adjacent Tainan County to form a single special municipality. Tainan faces the Taiwan Strait in...
to form a single special municipality - Taipei CountyTaipei CountyNew Taipei City is the most populous city of Taiwan. The area includes a substantial stretch of Taiwan's northern coastline and surrounds the Taipei Basin...
was renamed New Taipei and became a special municipality
Proposals for ROC municipalities and counties
| Proposals | Changes | June 2009 Population - Combine |
Current Area (km²) - Combine |
Map (before) | Map (after) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-A | Hsinchu City + Hsinchu County Hsinchu County Hsinchu County is a county in north-western Taiwan. The population of the county is mainly Hakka; there is a Taiwanese aboriginal minority in the southeastern part of the county. Zhubei is the capital of Hsinchu, where the government office and county office is located... = Hsinchu County Hsinchu County Hsinchu County is a county in north-western Taiwan. The population of the county is mainly Hakka; there is a Taiwanese aboriginal minority in the southeastern part of the county. Zhubei is the capital of Hsinchu, where the government office and county office is located... (新竹市 + 新竹縣 = 新竹縣) |
915,012 | 1,531.6864 |  |
 |
.svg.png) |
|||||
| 2-B | Chiayi City + Chiayi County Chiayi County Chiayi County is a county in southwestern Taiwan surrounding but not including Chiayi City. Its historical name in Taiwanese Hokkien derives from Tsirosen in the Formosan languages... = Chiayi County Chiayi County Chiayi County is a county in southwestern Taiwan surrounding but not including Chiayi City. Its historical name in Taiwanese Hokkien derives from Tsirosen in the Formosan languages... (嘉義市 + 嘉義縣 = 嘉義縣) |
821,721 | 1,961.6956 |  |
 |
.svg.png) |
|||||
| 2-C | Taipei City + New Taipei City + Keelung City Keelung Keelung City is a major port city situated in the northeastern part of Taiwan. It borders New Taipei and forms the Taipei–Keelung metropolitan area, along with the Taipei and New Taipei. Nicknamed the Rainy Port for its frequent rain and maritime role, the city is Taiwan's second largest seaport... = Taipei City (臺北市 + 新北市 + 基隆市 = 臺北市) |
6,854,715 | 2,457.1244 |  |
 |
 |
.svg.png) |
||||
Structural hierarchy
| Level | County-controlled city County-controlled city A county-controlled city is a third level administrative division of the Republic of China .On the same level as a ROC township, it is the lowest-level city of ROC, below provincial city and special municipality. There are 17 County-controlled cities under Taiwan Province... (縣轄市 xiànxiáshì) (17) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Township Township (Taiwan) The townships are the administrative subdivisions of Republic of China counties, along with County-controlled city. Most of the present townships originates from Towns and Villages in the Japanese era. After the World War II, the ROC government reformed them as urban townships and rural townships... (鎮 zhèn) (41) |
|||||
| Rural Township Township (Taiwan) The townships are the administrative subdivisions of Republic of China counties, along with County-controlled city. Most of the present townships originates from Towns and Villages in the Japanese era. After the World War II, the ROC government reformed them as urban townships and rural townships... (鄉 xiāng) (153) |
Village (村 cūn) |
||||
| Total | |22 | 368 | 7,835 | 147,877 | |
Note:
|
|||||
Under the ROC administrative scheme, some cities and counties may share the same name, but are independent administrations, this happens in Chiayi City and Chiayi County, Hsinchu City and Hsinchu County. Generally, special municipalities have the largest administrative area of all three levels of cities, then provincial cities, and finally county-controlled cities, in that order.
Special municipalities
Special municipalities are one of top-level divisions in the Republic of ChinaRepublic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
(Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
), directly governed by the Executive Yuan
Executive Yuan
The Executive Yuan is the executive branch of the government of the Republic of China , commonly known as "Taiwan".-Organization and structure:...
. In the laws, a place gathered more than 1.25 million residents and with political, economical or cultural importance may become a special municipality.
- Recently there are five special municipalities in TaiwanTaiwanTaiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, namely Kaohsiung City, New Taipei City, Taichung City, Tainan City and Taipei City. - Note that Kaohsiung City also administering Dongsha IslandsPratas IslandsThe Pratas Islands or Dongsha Islands consists of three islands forming from an atoll located in northeastern South China Sea, southeast of Hong Kong. The islands are governed by the Republic of China . The People's Republic of China claims sovereignty over these islands along with all other...
and Taiping IslandTaiping (island)Itu Aba Island or Taiping Island , is the largest of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea and the only island with a freshwater supply. The island is elliptical in shape being 1.4 km in length and 0.4 km in width...
of the South China Sea IslandsSouth China Sea IslandsThe South China Sea Islands consist of over 250 around 1-km² islands, atolls, cays, shoals, reefs, and sandbars in the South China Sea, most of which have no indigenous people, many of which are naturally under water at high tide, some of which are permanently submerged...
.
Provincial cities
Provincial cities , are cities lesser in rank than special municipalities; formerly governed by the provinces, after the provinces are streamlined they directly governed by the Executive YuanExecutive Yuan
The Executive Yuan is the executive branch of the government of the Republic of China , commonly known as "Taiwan".-Organization and structure:...
. In the laws, a place gathered residents between 0.5 million and 1.25 million and with political, economical or cultural importance may become a provincial city.
- Recently there are three provincial cities in TaiwanTaiwanTaiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, namely Chiayi City, Hsinchu City and Keelung City.
Counties
Counties , are one of administrative divisions under provinces; formerly governed by the provinces, after the provinces are streamlined they directly governed by the Executive YuanExecutive Yuan
The Executive Yuan is the executive branch of the government of the Republic of China , commonly known as "Taiwan".-Organization and structure:...
. In ROC laws, a county with more than two million residents can acquire some status equal to a special municipality. Taipei County had used this rule since October 2007 until elevated to New Taipei City in December 2010; while this rule also applied to Taoyuan County from 2011.
- Recently there are 14 counties in the ROC, 11 counties located mainly in the island of TaiwanTaiwanTaiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
.- Chiayi County
Chiayi CountyChiayi County is a county in southwestern Taiwan surrounding but not including Chiayi City. Its historical name in Taiwanese Hokkien derives from Tsirosen in the Formosan languages...- Changhua County
Changhua CountyChanghua County is the smallest county in Taiwan located on the westside of Taiwan. It is officially governed as a county of the Republic of China .-Urban townships:# Beidou Township # Erlin Township...- Hsinchu County
Hsinchu CountyHsinchu County is a county in north-western Taiwan. The population of the county is mainly Hakka; there is a Taiwanese aboriginal minority in the southeastern part of the county. Zhubei is the capital of Hsinchu, where the government office and county office is located...- Hualien County
Hualien CountyHualien County is the largest county in Taiwan and is located on the mountainous eastern coast of Taiwan. It contains the island's largest port. It is the starting point of the Hualien-Taitung Line and the terminal point of North-Link Line of TRA...- Miaoli County
Miaoli CountyMiaoli County is a county in western Taiwan. The name Miaoli was coined using two Hakka words, cat and raccoon dog , which phonetically approximate Pali , a community of Taokas people...- Nantou County
Nantou CountyNantou County is the second largest county of Taiwan. It is also the only landlocked county in Taiwan. Its name derives from the Hoanya Taiwanese aboriginal word Ramtau. Nantou County is officially administered as a county of Taiwan....- Pingtung County
Pingtung CountyPingtung County is a county in Southern Taiwan. Pingtung County is officially administered as a county of the Republic of China . The oldest national park in Taiwan, Kenting National Park, was established in Pingtung County in 1984...- Taitung County
Taitung CountyTaitung County is a county in eastern Taiwan. The name means "Eastern Taiwan". Taitung County is also known as 後山 by many of the locals, meaning behind the mountains or the back mountains. Taitung is officially administered as a county of Taiwan, Republic of China.Taitung runs along the south east...- Taoyuan County
- Yilan County
- Yunlin County
Yunlin CountyYunlin County is a county in the western part of Taiwan, the Republic of China. Yunlin is located to the right of the Taiwan Strait, the east of Nantou County and sharing a border with Changhua County divided by the Zhuoshui River. Yunlin is one of the counties of Taiwan that is part of the Chianan... - Chiayi County
- Penghu County administered Penghu Islands (Pescadores Islands).
- KinmenKinmenKinmen , also known as Quemoy , is a small archipelago of several islands administered by the Republic of China : Greater Kinmen, Lesser Kinmen, and some islets. Administratively, it is Kinmen County of Fujian Province, ROC. The county is claimed by the People's Republic of China as part of its...
County administered Kinmen Islands and Wuqiu IslandsWuciou, KinmenWuciou is a group of islands comprising two major islands, namely Greater Ciou Islet and Smaller Ciou Islet, in the Taiwan Strait. Administratively the Wuciou Township is part of Kinmen County of the Fujian Province of the Republic of China...
. - Lienchiang County administered Matsu IslandsMatsu IslandsThe Matsu Islands are a minor archipelago of 19 islands and islets in the Taiwan Strait administered as Lienchiang County , Fujian Province of the Republic of China . Only a small area of what is historically Lienchiang County is under the control of the ROC...
.
Lower-level governance structures
The 22 main subjects in the country are further divided into 368 subdivisions. A CountyCounty (Republic of China)
Counties , are one of administrative divisions within the Republic of China . They are officially found at the second level. However, the streamlining of Taiwan Province and Fukien Province has effectively promoted the county the first level below the Republic of China central government's rule...
may divided into rural townships , urban townships and county-controlled cities . In the laws, a place gathered more than 150 thousand residents may become a county-controlled cities. Special municipalities and provincial cities are divided into districts .
- The 368 subdivisions may classified into: 157 districtsDistrict (Republic of China)Districts refer to a type of administrative division in the Republic of China .- Municipal districts in the Republic of China:In the Republic of China, districts are the only subdivision of special municipalities and provincial cities....
, 17 county-controlled citiesCounty-controlled cityA county-controlled city is a third level administrative division of the Republic of China .On the same level as a ROC township, it is the lowest-level city of ROC, below provincial city and special municipality. There are 17 County-controlled cities under Taiwan Province...
, 41 urban townships and 153 rural townships. - The 368 subdivisions are divided into 7,835 villages, and to 147,877 neighborhoods.
List of divisions
| No. | Romanization | Chinese Chinese character Chinese characters are logograms used in the writing of Chinese and Japanese , less frequently Korean , formerly Vietnamese , or other languages... | Hanyu Pinyin | Population | Area (km2) | |City/County Seat | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special municipalities (直轄市) | |||||||
| 1 | Kaohsiung City | 高雄市 | Gāoxióng shì | 2,773,483 | 2,946.2671 | Lingya District Lingya District Lingya District is one of the districts of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. It is geometrically located in the center of Kaohsiung. The Tuntex Sky Tower and the Kaohsiung City Hall are located here... Fengshan District |
苓雅區 鳳山區 |
| 2 | New Taipei City | 新北市 | Xīnběi shì | 3,897,367 | 2,052.5667 | Banqiao District Banqiao District Banqiao District is the city seat of New Taipei in northern Taiwan . It has the third highest population density in Taiwan. It was formerly the 22nd densest city in the world, with over 24,000 people per square km... |
板橋區 |
| 3 | Taichung City | 臺中市 台中市 |
Táizhōng shì | 2,648,419 | 2,214.8968 | Xitun District Xitun District Xitun District is the most populated district of Taichung in Taiwan, the Republic of China, located in the north-western part of the city. Though Xitun District used to be considered part of the countryside, the new City Hall will be built up in the Urban area of Xitun district.-Attractions:* Feng... |
西屯區 |
| 4 | Tainan City | 臺南市 台南市 |
Táinán shì | 1,873,794 | 2,191.6531 | Anping District Xinying District |
安平區 新營區 |
| 5 | Taipei City | 臺北市 台北市 |
Táiběi shì | 2,618,772 | 271.7997 | Xinyi District | 信義區 |
| Provincial cities (市) | |||||||
| 6 | Chiayi City | 嘉義市 | Jiāyì shì | 272,390 | 60.0256 | East District | 東區 |
| 7 | Hsinchu City | 新竹市 | Xīnzhú shì | 415,344 | 104.1526 | North District | 北區 |
| 8 | Keelung City | 基隆市 | Jīlóng shì | 384,134 | 132.7589 | Zhongzheng District Jhongjheng District Jhongjheng District is a district of Keelung. It borders the East China Sea to the north and east, the Port of Keelung to the west, and the districts of Re-nai and Xinyi to the south.-External links:*... |
中正區 |
| Counties County (Republic of China) Counties , are one of administrative divisions within the Republic of China . They are officially found at the second level. However, the streamlining of Taiwan Province and Fukien Province has effectively promoted the county the first level below the Republic of China central government's rule... (縣) |
|||||||
| 9 | Changhua County Changhua County Changhua County is the smallest county in Taiwan located on the westside of Taiwan. It is officially governed as a county of the Republic of China .-Urban townships:# Beidou Township # Erlin Township... |
彰化縣 | Zhānghuà xiàn | 1,307,286 | 1,074.3960 | Changhua City Changhua City Changhua City is the county seat of Changhua County in Taiwan. For many centuries the site was home to a settlement of Babuza people, a coastal tribe of Taiwanese aborigines. The name of the city is derived from the aboriginal word Poasoa .Changhua is best known for its landmark statue of the Buddha... |
彰化市 |
| 10 | Chiayi County Chiayi County Chiayi County is a county in southwestern Taiwan surrounding but not including Chiayi City. Its historical name in Taiwanese Hokkien derives from Tsirosen in the Formosan languages... |
嘉義縣 | Jiāyì xiàn | 543,248 | 1,903.6367 | Taibao City Taibao City Taibao City is the seat of Chiayi County, Taiwan. It was named after the government position of Wang De-lu , whose hometown is Taibao, in the 19th century.Taiwan High Speed Rail Chiayi station is located in Taibao.* Area: 66.90 km²... |
太保市 |
| 11 | Hsinchu County Hsinchu County Hsinchu County is a county in north-western Taiwan. The population of the county is mainly Hakka; there is a Taiwanese aboriginal minority in the southeastern part of the county. Zhubei is the capital of Hsinchu, where the government office and county office is located... |
新竹縣 | Xīnzhú xiàn | 513,015 | 1,427.5369 | Zhubei City | 竹北市 |
| 12 | Hualien County Hualien County Hualien County is the largest county in Taiwan and is located on the mountainous eastern coast of Taiwan. It contains the island's largest port. It is the starting point of the Hualien-Taitung Line and the terminal point of North-Link Line of TRA... |
花蓮縣 | Huālián xiàn | 338,805 | 4,628.5714 | Hualien City Hualien City Hualien City is the capital of Hualien County, Taiwan. It is located on the East coast of Taiwan, by the Pacific Ocean, and has a population of 110,000 inhabitants.- History :... |
花蓮市 |
| 13 | Miaoli County Miaoli County Miaoli County is a county in western Taiwan. The name Miaoli was coined using two Hakka words, cat and raccoon dog , which phonetically approximate Pali , a community of Taokas people... |
苗栗縣 | Miáolì xiàn | 560,968 | 1,820.3149 | Miaoli City Miaoli City Miaoli City is the capital of Miaoli County, Taiwan. Its name Miaoli was coined using two Hakka words, cat and city , which phonetically approximate Pali from one of the Formosan languages. Miaoli has a relatively high percentage of Hakka people. As of 2009, the population was 90,209.... |
苗栗市 |
| 14 | Nantou County Nantou County Nantou County is the second largest county of Taiwan. It is also the only landlocked county in Taiwan. Its name derives from the Hoanya Taiwanese aboriginal word Ramtau. Nantou County is officially administered as a county of Taiwan.... |
南投縣 | Nántóu xiàn | 526,491 | 4,106.4360 | Nantou City Nantou City Nantou City is located in the northwest of Nantou County, Taiwan, Republic of China. It lies between the Bagua Mountains and the Maoluo River and is the seat of Nantou County. Freeway No. 3 serves Nantou City... |
南投市 |
| 15 | Penghu County | 澎湖縣 | Pénghú xiàn | 96,918 | 126.8641 | Magong City | 馬公市 |
| 16 | Pingtung County Pingtung County Pingtung County is a county in Southern Taiwan. Pingtung County is officially administered as a county of the Republic of China . The oldest national park in Taiwan, Kenting National Park, was established in Pingtung County in 1984... |
屏東縣 | Píngdōng xiàn | 873,509 | 2,775.6003 | Pingtung City Pingtung City Pingtung City is the capital of Pingtung County, Taiwan.-Geography:Pingtung is located in Pingtung County, the southernmost county in Taiwan. It is located east of Kaohsiung and Fengshan, and centered between the western coast and the eastern mountain range. The climate is humid and extremely hot... |
屏東市 |
| 17 | Taitung County Taitung County Taitung County is a county in eastern Taiwan. The name means "Eastern Taiwan". Taitung County is also known as 後山 by many of the locals, meaning behind the mountains or the back mountains. Taitung is officially administered as a county of Taiwan, Republic of China.Taitung runs along the south east... |
臺東縣 台東縣 |
Táidōng xiàn | 230,673 | 3,515.2526 | Taitung City Taitung City Taitung City is the county seat of Taitung County, Taiwan. It lies on the southeast coast of Taiwan facing the Pacific Ocean.The city is served by Taitung Airport. Taitung is a gateway to Green Island and Orchid Island, both of which are very popular among Taiwanese tourists.-History:Taitung... |
臺東市 |
| 18 | Taoyuan County | 桃園縣 | Táoyuán xiàn | 2,002,060 | 1,220.9540 | Taoyuan City Taoyuan City Taoyuan City is the county seat of Taoyuan County in Taiwan, located in the northwestern part of the island. Taoyuan city is the gateway of Taiwan: with the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in vicinity, and is a 30-minute ride to the capital, Taipei.... |
桃園市 |
| 19 | Yilan County | 宜蘭縣 | Yílán xiàn | 460,486 | 2,143.6251 | Yilan City Yilan City Yilan City historically spelled Ilan or I-lan, is the capital of Yilan County, Taiwan. It is on the north side of Lanyang River. The first Han Chinese settled there in 1802.... |
宜蘭市 |
| 20 | Yunlin County Yunlin County Yunlin County is a county in the western part of Taiwan, the Republic of China. Yunlin is located to the right of the Taiwan Strait, the east of Nantou County and sharing a border with Changhua County divided by the Zhuoshui River. Yunlin is one of the counties of Taiwan that is part of the Chianan... |
雲林縣 | Yúnlín xiàn | 717,653 | 1,290.8326 | Douliu City | 斗六市 |
| 21 | Kinmen County | 金門縣 | Jīnmén xiàn | 97,364 | 151.6560 | Jincheng Township | 金城鎮 |
| 22 | Lienchiang County Matsu Islands The Matsu Islands are a minor archipelago of 19 islands and islets in the Taiwan Strait administered as Lienchiang County , Fujian Province of the Republic of China . Only a small area of what is historically Lienchiang County is under the control of the ROC... |
連江縣 | Liánjiāng xiàn | 9,944 | 28.8000 | Nangan Township Nangan Nangan is one of the Matsu Islands and the capital township of the Lienchiang County of the Republic of China.... |
南竿鄉 |
Romanization
The romanizationRomanization
In linguistics, romanization or latinization is the representation of a written word or spoken speech with the Roman script, or a system for doing so, where the original word or language uses a different writing system . Methods of romanization include transliteration, for representing written...
used for ROC placenames above the county level is a modified form of Wade-Giles
Wade-Giles
Wade–Giles , sometimes abbreviated Wade, is a romanization system for the Mandarin Chinese language. It developed from a system produced by Thomas Wade during the mid-19th century , and was given completed form with Herbert Giles' Chinese–English dictionary of 1892.Wade–Giles was the most...
, ignoring the apostrophes and hyphens of the original, thus yielding "Taipei" instead of "T'ai-pei" and "Yilan" instead of "I-lan", for example. Some postal map romanizations also exist, like "Keelung" and "Kinmen".
In 2002, Tongyong Pinyin
Tongyong Pinyin
Tongyong Pinyin was the official Romanization of Mandarin Chinese in the Republic of China between 2002 and 2008. The system was unofficially used between 2000 and 2002, when a new romanization system for the Republic of China was being evaluated for adoption. The ROC's Ministry of Education...
was adopted to be the national standard of Chinese romanizations. Most townships and county-controlled cities
County-controlled city
A county-controlled city is a third level administrative division of the Republic of China .On the same level as a ROC township, it is the lowest-level city of ROC, below provincial city and special municipality. There are 17 County-controlled cities under Taiwan Province...
are romanized in this way at this time. However, some local administrations, like Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
and Taichung
Taichung
-Demographics:Taichung’s population was an estimated 1,040,725 in August 2006. There are slightly more females in the city than males.24.32% of residents are children, while 16.63% are young people, 52.68% are middle-age, and 6.73% are elderly....
decided to use Hanyu Pinyin. In 2009, Tongyong Pinyin was replaced by Hanyu Pinyin as the ROC government standard. Recently, Most of the divisions are romanized by Hanyu Pinyin system, but some local government still use Tongyong Pinyin
Tongyong Pinyin
Tongyong Pinyin was the official Romanization of Mandarin Chinese in the Republic of China between 2002 and 2008. The system was unofficially used between 2000 and 2002, when a new romanization system for the Republic of China was being evaluated for adoption. The ROC's Ministry of Education...
as well, like Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung is a city located in southwestern Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait on the west. Kaohsiung, officially named Kaohsiung City, is divided into thirty-eight districts. The city is one of five special municipalities of the Republic of China...
. In 2011, the ROC minister of the Interior restored historical romanizations for two towns, Lukang and Tamsui, which developed in early times.
See also
- History of the Republic of ChinaHistory of the Republic of ChinaThe History of the Republic of China begins after the Qing Dynasty in 1912, when the formation of the Republic of China put an end to over two thousand years of Imperial rule. The Qing Dynasty, also known as the Manchu Dynasty, ruled from 1644 to 1912...
- Political divisions of Taiwan (1895-1945)Political divisions of Taiwan (1895-1945)As per the Treaty of Shimonoseki of 1895, Taiwan fell under Japanese rule after the First Sino-Japanese War. The political divisions changed frequently between 1895 and 1898. There were still several changes until the Japanese political system was adopted in 1920...
- Lists of Republic of China administrative divisions: by area · by population · by population density
- ISO 3166-2:TWISO 3166-2:TWISO 3166-2:TW is the entry for Taiwan in ISO 3166-2, part of the ISO 3166 standard published by the International Organization for Standardization , which defines codes for the names of the principal subdivisions of all countries coded in ISO 3166-1...
External links
- 內政部地政司 (Department of Land Administration, Ministry of the Interior): Romanizations for county-level and township-level entities
- Map of ROC (including Quemoy and Matsu)
- Fuchien Provincial Government
- Taiwan Provincial Government