The most important island in the world: What you need to know to understand Taiwan
Klaus Bardenhagen, Herder
Inside Taiwan: Get to know the island and its history – with all its absurd facets and fascinating peculiarities
“Ilha Formosa!” – “beautiful island!” – a Portuguese sailor is said to have once designated Taiwan. Taiwan is undoubtedly beautiful with its breathtaking mountains, canyons and coasts.
But the island nation is much more: a democracy that residents have fiercely fought for. A place of cultural and linguistic diversity. A place of contrasts between densely populated cities and untouched mountains. A place that celebrates ancient traditions and has become the world’s leading technology hub.
A unique place that we know far too little about – the future of the existing world order can be decided by the fate of Taiwan.
Klaus Bardenhagen, who has lived in Taiwan for over 15 years as a German journalist and knows a lot to report on the island, introduces his adopted home’s past and present and finally makes us better understand this extraordinary and significant place.