Geography of Taipei
Taipei, Taiwan, the island's largest city and the capital of Nationalist China. It lies at the northern end of Taiwan on the Tanshui River, some 15 miles (24 km) from the coast. Taipei is Taiwan's leading commercial, industrial, and cultural center. It is also the northern hub of the railway system. At Taoyuan, to the west, is Taipei's international airport, one of the largest and most modern in the Far East. In or near the city are the National Taiwan University, the National Chiang Kai-shek Cultural Center, and the National Palace Museum, which houses one of the world's finest collections of Chinese art.
Taipei was founded in 1708 by Chinese immigrants, mainly from Fukien (Fujian) province. In 1885, under the Manchus, it became the island's capital, replacing Tainan. Rapid growth and modernization took place between 1895 and 1945, when Japan ruled the island. The Chinese regained control after World War II. In 1949 Taipei became the official seat of the Chinese Nationalists, who were fleeing the mainland.
Population: 2,270,983.