This page will be updated with new links regularly.
General Information on Taiwan
The CIA World Fact Book on Taiwan has brief facts and statistics about what the Portugese called Ilha Formosa (the Beautiful Island). The Wikipedia Article on Taiwan has some disputed sections, but overall it seems to be a good introduction to Taiwanese history and current political situation. The Taiwanese Government’s Brief Introduction to Taiwan
News
Taipei Times
China Post
Weather
Taiwan is bisected by the Tropic of Cancer, which means that it is very, very hot and humid.
Current Taiwan Weather (in Celsius)
Current Taiwan Weather (in Fahrenheit)
Money
Curious about the exchange rate? The rule of thumb is that one US$ is equivalent to 30 NT$ (New Taiwanese Dollars). However, you can stay up to date on the current exchange rate at the XE Universal Currency Converter (look for Taiwan New Dollar in the menu choices).
Language
Both Mandarin and Taiwanese are spoken throughout Taiwan, but Taiwanese is used more in the southern part of the island. Mandarin and Taiwanese are distinct dialects of Chinese (which is the written language). You can learn some Mandarin at ChinesePod. I haven’t found a lot of sites dedicated to learning Taiwanese, but Taiwanese Pod offers a few key phrases.
Food
Popular food culture in Taiwan gives a brief overview of food in Taiwan and the Wikipedia article on Taiwanese cuisine discusses the food in a little more detail. For a more personal view of food in Taiwan, check out the Hungry Girl’s Guide to Taipei. I’m really looking forward to trying oyster omelettes and stinky tofu.
Tourism
The travel section of The China Post has a great many stories devoted to learning more about the island. My current favorite source is the government produced Travel in Taiwan magazine that is viewable online (just click on the issue you want to read). If you would like to read about the county (or hsien) I will be living in, you can check out Gateway to Kaohsiung County. The city of Kaohsiung is very well represented at a site simply entitled Welcome to Kaohsiung City.
Staci's Travelogue 
if you buy everyone a crappy “my friend went to taiwan and all i got was this lousy t-shirt,” will they be made in taiwan?
By: mark on May 27, 2008
at 1:54 pm
just got home last night Sunday and I am off to Hotlanta in the morning. Want to thank you for the beautiful Fathers day card I really appreciate it. Now get some of your work published so I do not have to work anymore for this yo-yo.Have not spoken to Hitler in days. I will bring to Stephanie the wedsite so that she can read up on your adventures. I really wish I could be as well.
That’s it for now keep up the good work and it looks like you lost some weight in the photos. Keep it up.
Love ya,
By: roy on June 9, 2008
at 10:43 pm