The
Republic of China (ROC), commonly known as
Taiwan, currently governs the
Taiwan Area, consisting of the four main
archipelagos of
Taiwan,
Penghu,
Kinmen,
Matsu and some
minor islands. The
area under control of the Republic of China is divided into two streamlined provinces (
Taiwan Province and
Fujian Province) and six
special municipalities (
Kaohsiung,
New Taipei,
Taichung,
Tainan,
Taipei and
Taoyuan). The two streamlined provinces are further subdivided into 3
provincial cities and 13
counties. All special municipalities, provincial cities and counties are directly under the
central government (i.e.,
Executive Yuan). The Government of the Republic of China also constitutionally claims
mainland China on a historical basis.