The larger animals such as bear and deer have suffered greatly from disruption of their habitat. Taiwan has over four hundred species of butterflies and four hundred and fifty species of birds. Chinese buildings are traditionally made from wood which is lacquered to add strength. Building on a platform helps prevent dampness seeping into the building. Traditional houses were U-shaped, a main building with two wings.
Curved roofs characterize Chinese architecture.
The population of Taiwan is over twenty-two million. Around eighty-five percent are descended from emigrants from the Chinese provinces of Fukien and Kwangtung. Around thirteen percent are descended from those who came to Taiwan after 1949. The nine remaining aboriginal tribes are the Ami, Atayal, Bunun, Paiwan, Puyuma, Rukai, Shao, Saisiyat, Tsou and Yami. About two hundred and fifty thousand of them remain, living mainly in more remote parts of the Central Mountain Range.