This study makes an attempt to explore the scientific landscape on Taiwan. Through bibliometric citation analysis and mapping techniques the main actors at the university level are identified and the structure of the national research and development (R&D) system is described with respect to article production and publication patterns. Special attention is paid to patterns of research collaboration, nationally as well as internationally. This paper concludes that Taiwan is well integrated in the international scientific macro-networks. However, the findings do not give support to the idea that Asian science and scientific thinking would differ from Western science; on the contrary, Taiwan has developed quickly into a science nation of significance by adapting Western scientific traditions and becoming integrated in international scientific networks.