Flag of Chile

The national flag of Chile is also known as the Lone Star. It consists of two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red and a blue square the same height as the white band in the canton, which bears a white five-pointed star in the center. It was adopted on October 18, 1817.

The star represents a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky and the Pacific Ocean, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red stands for the blood spilled to achieve independence.

According to the epic poem La Araucana, the colors were derived from those from the flag flown by the Mapuche during the Arauco War. "Flag Day" is held each year on the ninth of July to commemorate the 77 soldiers who died in the 1882 Battle of La Concepción.

Geography of Chile

Geography

Chile is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It located at the south of Peru and southeast of Bolivia. The Pacific coastline of Chile is 6,435 kilometres. Chilean territory includes the Pacific islands of Juan Fernández, Salas y Gómez, Desventuradas, and Easter Island.

The shape of Chile is a distinctive, multi-colored ribbon of land 4,300 kilometres (2,700 mi) long and on average 175 kilometres (109 mi) wide.

Climate

Chile's climate varies, from the world's driest desert-the Atacama-in the north, through a Mediterranean climate in the center, to a rainy temperate climate in the south. The northern desert contains great mineral wealth. The small central area dominates in terms of population and agricultural resources, and it is the cultural and political center that was expanded in the late 19th century. Southern Chile is rich in forests and grazing lands and it features a string of volcanoes and lakes. The southern coast is a labyrinth of fjords, inlets, canals, twisting peninsulas, and islands.

Population

The population of Chile was estimated at 15,153,797 in July of 2000 with an annual growth rate of 1.7 percent. According to the Population Reference Bureau, with a projected annual population growth rate of 1.29 percent, the population is expected to reach 19.55 million by the year 2025 and 22.21 million by 2050.

Ethnicity groups

The Chilean population is estimated at nearly 95% White and Mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian); 3% Amerindian (indigenous people of pre-Columian era); and 2% other. Mixtures between the conquering Spaniards, largely Andalusians and Basques, and the Mapuches produced the principal Chilean racial type. An indigenous population of perhaps as many as 600,000 pure Mapuches live mainly in Temuco and in the forest region south of the Bío-Bío River. Remnants of other small tribal groups are found in isolated oases within the northern desert or live a nomadic existence on the archipelagos and islands of the extreme southern coast. A small minority of Germans and their descendants live in the Valdivia-Puerto Montt area.

Environmental issue of Taiwan

Earthquakes and typhoons are the two major natural hazards in Taiwan, on September 21, 1999, an earthquake happened in the center of Taiwan. There were more than 2000 people died in this inccident. Also, intensive rain that caused by typhoon along with mudslides often created disaster.

Current environmental issues included air pollution, water pollution from industrial waste, contamination of drinking water supplies, and trade in endangered species. Eventhough containing sulfate aerosol emissions from petroleum is becoming stringent, acid rain remains to be a threat to the health of the residents and the forests. Scholars in Taiwan point out that more than half of its acid rain is actually brought by monsoon rains from mainland China. In 2009, a major rarthquake strikes Taiwan, follow the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1goBfBLeH_g to watch a short clip about it.

Stereotypes of Taiwan

People create steroetypes when they do not completely understand or know much about a particular issue.

Some of Taiwanese stereotypes are:
1. Taiwan has many pretty women.
It's because actresses in Taiwanese dramas are pretty. This makes people think all Taiwanese women are pretty.

2. Stinky Tofu and Pig Blood Cake make people sick.
Stinky tofu and pig blood cake are famous snacks in Taiwan. Most of the tourists can't accept the smell of the stinky tofu. They also think pig blood cake is a strange food and most of them are not brave enough to try the cake.

3. Claustrophobia is common among Taiwanese
Taiwan is an island and most poeple live in the city. Therefore, it gives an impression that they have higher risk of getting claustrophobia then people from any other country.

4. Taiwanese people don't like China because it's a communistic country.
This happended when Taiwan wished to gain its independence since 1949.

Food in Taiwan

Taiwan has many veriaty of food, food in Taiwan also has many influence from mainland China. China provinces like Hunan, Jiangzhe, Hong Kong, and Sichuan cooking style can be found in many places of Taiwan. In additional, Taiwan street food is famous for touarist,these foods include Bubble Milk Tea, fried stinky tofu, oyster pancakes, fried meatball, sugarcane juice, fish ball soup, Dumpling and water fried Dumpling, pork blood rice cakes, and rice and noodle dishes.





Bubble Milk Tea is non-alcoholic and non-carbonated. The tea is sweet and has less sugar than a typical soft drink. There are many variety of flavors which depending on the tea house or bubble milk tea stand . The drink is usually a mix of tea, milk, sugar, and giant black tapioca balls. The drink must always be shaken and not stirred, the "bubble" refers to the foam created by shaking the freshly brewed tea with ice .

Stinky tofu is a form of fermanted tofu that has a strong odor. Stinky tofu can be eaten cold, steamed, stewed, or most commonly, fried. It is often eaten by dipping chili sauce. The color varies from the golden fried to the black typical stinky tofu.
From a distance, the odor of stinky tofu is said to resemble that of rotten garbage or manure, even by its enthusiasts. In some instances the taste has even been compared to rotten meat. In spite of stinky tofu's smell, most say the flavor is surprisingly mild. It is said the more it smells, the 'better' its flavor.

Oyster pancake consists of an omelette with a filling primarily composed of small oysters. Starch like typically potato starch is mixed into the egg batter, and giving a thicer consistency. Pork lard is often used to fry the omelette. Depending on regional variation, a savory sauce may then be poured on top of the omelette for added taste. Spicy or chili sauce mixed with lime juice is often added to provide an intense taste. Shrimp can sometimes be substituted in place of oysters; in this case, it will be called shrimp omelette.

Pork blood rice cake, is made of pork blood and sticky rice. It is one of the food materials in the Taiwanese hot pot, but the most popular way are - steamed for a snack.Taking it out of wooded case, street vendors would cover Pig's blood cake witha layer of peanut powder and spread some cilantro. The aroma of the chewy rice cake makes everyone's mouth water. Customers can dip it in different chili sauce.

San Mao -- The Famous writer in Taiwan

San Mao was the famous writer in Taiwan. She was born in Chongqing, Southwest China on March 26, 1943. In 1948, San Mao moved with her parents to Taiwan and enrollen in 1st Grade.

There were many restrictions in Taiwan's school, therefore, San Mao hoped to grow up as soon as possible. In the meantime, she found an interest in literary masterpieces. Also, she was exposed to world-famous literary works such as The Count of Monte Cristo, Don Quixote de la Mancha, and Gone with the Wind working by famous Chinese writers like Lu Xun, Ba Jin, Lao She, and Yu Dafu.

When she was 19, San Mao published her first work in Taiwan. Then, she enrolled in the philosophy department of the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan. In her 20s,San Mao moved to Madrid, Spain and enrolled in the University of Madrid. After finish study in Madrid, San Mao moved to Germany and studied German language for 16 hours a day. In nine months period, she was managed to teach German language.

In 1976, San Mao pnblished her fictionalized-antobiographical titled The Stories of the Sahara.

In 1991, San Mao died in a hospital in Taipei at the age of 48 by hanging herself.

Palces to visit in Taiwan

Taipei is Taiwan capital, it is the economic, political, and cultural center of Taiwan. The most famous building in Taipei is Taipei 101, also known as the Taipei Financial Center. This building had a grand opening in Jan 2005. Taipei 101 is 508 meters high and was the tallest landmark skyscraper in the world.





In addition, there are still many attraction on the city outskirt, a smaller city like Tamsui or Danshui has it own historical attractions that are appealing to many people. Tamsui is located near the outlet of the Tamsui (Danshui) River into the Taiwan Strait. Tamsui Old Stree and waterfront is one of the Tamsui city attraction. It located side by side of the Tamsui River as a pedestrian shopping zone. Tamsui Old Street provides many restaurant, arcades, and stores that sell traditional handicrafts.