The flag of The Republic of China. The nationalist government moved to Taiwan in 1949 and took effective jurisdiction over Taiwan, and the offshore islands of Kinmen, Matsu and Penghu. It is in these areas the ROC has successfully demonstrated democracy and the free economy. It is beleived that the Communists illegally usurped control of China in 1949, and there are hopes for reunification with mainland China, but not under Communism. Warm currents give Taiwan a climate that makes vegetation abundant and permits two to three rice harvests a year.
Snow falls only on the higher mountains.
The typhoon season is from July to October. The summer is very hot and humid, with the occasional torrential downpours. Thus cotton clothing is best, with jeans being less practical. The weather in central and southern Taiwan tends to be considerably less wet and does not get as cool as the north in the winter months. Although winter temperatures can occasionally dip as low as 10o C or low 40o's F, these temperatures can be misleading.