The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Politics & World›City›Taipei
Politics & World • City

Taipei

Taipei is the capital and a special municipality of Taiwan, serving as the seat of government of the Republic of China.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Taipei is the capital and a special municipality of Taiwan, serving as the seat of government of the Republic of China. Located in northern Taiwan near the Tamsui River, it is the island’s political, economic, and cultural centre.

Geography

Taipei is located in northern Taiwan near the island’s northern tip. It lies on the Tamsui River and is surrounded by New Taipei City, which is administratively separate.

Government and status

Taipei serves as the seat of government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and is classified as a special municipality. It became a special municipality in 1967.

Population and metropolitan area

The city’s population is given in recent sources at roughly 2.5 to 2.7 million, while the broader Taipei metropolitan area is about 7 million.

Economy and culture

Taipei is commonly described as Taiwan’s main political, financial, commercial, educational, and cultural centre. It contains major institutions, museums, and transport infrastructure.

Key facts

  • Taipei is the capital and seat of government of Taiwan.
  • It is a special municipality and not part of New Taipei City, which surrounds it.
  • The city lies near the Tamsui River in northern Taiwan.
  • Taipei is widely described as Taiwan’s political, economic, educational, and cultural centre.
  • The city became a special municipality in 1967.
🍁
Canadian context

Taipei is relevant to Canadian readers as a major East Asian capital and a key destination for business, travel, and education-related coverage involving Taiwan.

Frequently asked questions

Is Taipei the capital of Taiwan?
Yes. Taipei is the capital and seat of government of Taiwan (the Republic of China).
What kind of city is Taipei?
Taipei is a special municipality, which gives it province-level administrative status in Taiwan.
Where is Taipei located?
Taipei is in northern Taiwan, near the Tamsui River and close to the island’s northern tip.
How large is Taipei?
Britannica gives Taipei an area of 272 square kilometres.
How many people live in Taipei?
Recent sources place the city’s population at about 2.5 to 2.7 million people.
What is Taipei known for?
Taipei is known as Taiwan’s political, economic, educational, and cultural centre, and for landmarks such as Taipei 101 and the National Palace Museum.

References

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Taipei
    Supports: Capital status, special municipality status, location, relation to New Taipei City, area, and population estimate.
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/Taipei
    Supports: Historical overview, capital and government-seat status, special municipality designation, and cultural/economic role.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taipei
    Supports: Recent population estimates, metropolitan area population, and administrative history.
  4. EBSCO — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/geography-and-cartography/taipei-republic-china
    Supports: Capital status, northern location, population, and metropolitan significance.