Philippines
Country Guide

Explore Philippines

Philippines with its capital Manila is located in Asia (Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea). It covers some 300,001 square kilometers (slightly less than twice the size of Georgia) with a population of 104,256,000. Tagalog and English are the languages spoken by people in Philippines. There are no land based border this country shares with any other country.

Philippines is an archipelago in South-East Asia. Combine all its beaches it forms one of the world's longest coastlines and it takes about 2 to 3 decades to visit and experience every island. Also, it may seem peculiar for tourists to notice the Latin flair in Filipino culture. Mainstream Philippine culture compared to the rest of Asia is quite Hispanic and westernized at the surface level. But still, Filipinos are essentially Austronesian and many indigenous and pre-Hispanic attitudes and ways of thinking are still noticeable underneath a seemingly westernized veneer. The climate is tropical, with March to May (summer) being the hottest months. The rainy season starts in June and extends through October with strong typhoons possible.

Popular Destinations in Philippines

Administrative regions of Philippines

• Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
• Bicol
• Cagayan Valley
• Calabarzon
• Caraga
• Central Luzon
• Central Visayas
• Cordillera Administrative Region
• Davao
• Eastern Visayas
• Ilocos
• Mimaropa
• National Capital Region
• Negros Island Region
• Northern Mindanao
• Soccsksargen
• Western Visayas
• Zamboanga Peninsula

About the country

The terrain is mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands. The average density of population is about 348 per km². The climate in Philippines can be described as tropical marinenortheast monsoon (November to April), southwest monsoon (May to October). Possible natural disasters include active volcanoes, astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms each year, destructive earthquakes, landslides, significant volcanic activity; Taal (311 m), which has shown recent unrest and may erupt in the near future, has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its and tsunamis.

To reach someone Philippines dial +63 prior to a number. The local cellular networks are operated on 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 3G, 4G. Websites typically end with the top level domain ".ph". If you want to bring electric appliances (e.g. battery chaarger), keep in min the local 220 V - 60 Hz (plugs: A, B, C). The sign for the locally used currency Peso is PHP.

Two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red; a white equilateral triangle is based on the hoist side; the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays; each corner of the triangle contains a small, yellow, five-pointed star; blue stands for peace and justice, red symbolizes courage, the white equal-sided triangle represents equality; the rays recall the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain, while the stars represent the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897.

The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. A 20-year rule by Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a "people power" movement in Manila ("EDSA 1") forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts that prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992. His administration was marked by increased stability and by progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998. He was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another "people power" movement ("EDSA 2") demanded his resignation. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2004. Her presidency was marred by several corruption allegations but the Philippine economy was one of the few to avoid contraction following the 2008 global financial crisis, expanding each year of her administration. Benigno AQUINO III was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2010 and was succeeded by Rodrigo DUTERTE in May 2016. The Philippine Government faces threats from several groups, some of which are on the US Government's Foreign Terrorist Organization list. Manila has waged a decades-long struggle against ethnic Moro insurgencies in the southern Philippines, which has led to a peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front and ongoing peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The decades-long Maoist-inspired New People's Army insurgency also operates through much of the country. The Philippines faces increased tension with China over disputed territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea.

Geography

Area
Total (World Rank: 74)	300,000	sq km
Land (World Rank: 71)	298,170	sq km
Water (World Rank: 91)	1,830	sq km
Forest (World Rank: 158)	5.00	%
Comparative	slightly less than twice the size of Georgia; slightly larger than Arizona
Coastline
36289
Elevation
Highest point (World Rank: 72)	2,954	m
Agricultural land
Total (World Rank: 105)	41.00	%
Arable (World Rank: 63)	18.20	%
Permanent crops (World Rank: 13)	17.80	%
Permanent pastures (World Rank: 158)	5.00	%
Irrigated land (World Rank: 32)	16,270	sq km
Map reference
Southeast Asia
Environment
Issues	- air and water pollution in major urban centers - coral reef degradation - increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds - soil erosion - uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas
Agreement party	- Biodiversity - Climate Change - Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol - Desertification - Endangered Species - Hazardous Wastes - Law of the Sea - Marine Dumping - Ozone Layer Protection - Ship Pollution - Tropical Timber 83 - Tropical Timber 94 - Wetlands - Whaling
Agreement signed	Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Hazzards	- active volcanoes - astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms each year - destructive earthquakes - landslides - significant volcanic activity; Taal (311 m), which has shown recent unrest and may erupt in the near future, has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its - tsunamis
Location
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Climate
tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
Terrain
mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands

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People

Population
Total (World Rank: 13)	104,256,000
Deathrate (World Rank: 157)	0.61	%
Birthrate (World Rank: 59)	2.37	%
Growthrate (World Rank: 69)	1.57	%
Migration rate (World Rank: 129)	-0.20	%
Fertility rate (World Rank: 54)	3.02	%
Median age
Male (World Rank: 165)	23.10
Female (World Rank: 165)	24.00
Age structure
0 14 male (World Rank: 10)	17,764,800
0 14 female (World Rank: 11)	17,050,200
15 24 male (World Rank: 11)	10,199,400
15 24 female (World Rank: 11)	9,780,020
25 54 male (World Rank: 14)	19,597,700
25 54 female (World Rank: 14)	18,964,900
55 64 male (World Rank: 23)	2,844,740
55 64 female (World Rank: 21)	3,375,140
65 x male (World Rank: 27)	1,930,270
65 x female (World Rank: 25)	2,748,940
Health
Infant mortality rate (World Rank: 77)	2.14	%
Life expectancy total (World Rank: 159)	69	years
Life expectancy female (World Rank: 154)	73	years
Life expectancy male (World Rank: 161)	66	years
Hospital bed per 1000 (World Rank: 149)	1.00
Sanitation access total (World Rank: 138)	73.90	%
Obesity adult (World Rank: 167)	6.40	%
Drinking water access (World Rank: 127)	91.80	%

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Energy

Electricity
Production (World Rank: 36)	90,800,000,000	kWh
Consumption (World Rank: 37)	74,150,000,000	kWh
Source fossil (World Rank: 109)	67.50	%
Source nuclear (World Rank: 95)	16.90	%
Source renew (World Rank: 44)	15.60	%
Crude oil
Production (World Rank: 68)	20,000	bbl / day
Exports (World Rank: 63)	4,942	bbl / day
Imports (World Rank: 30)	215,800	bbl / day
Proved reserves (World Rank: 67)	138,500,000	bbl
Refined products
Production (World Rank: 55)	169,000	bbl / day
Consumption (World Rank: 37)	390,000	bbl / day
Export (World Rank: 76)	13,140	bbl / day
Import (World Rank: 31)	186,100	bbl / day
Natural gas
Production (World Rank: 56)	2,600,000,000	m³
Consumption (World Rank: 75)	3,196,000,000	m³
Carbon footprint
88000000

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Nation

Budget
Education (World Rank: 147)	3	% of GDP
Military (World Rank: 92)	1	% of GDP
Health (World Rank: 150)	5	% of GDP
Surplus (World Rank: 91)	-2	% of GDP
National symbol
three stars and sun
National colours
yellow
Adjective
Philippine
Noun
Filipino(s)
Background
The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. A 20-year rule by Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a "people power" movement in Manila ("EDSA 1") forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts that prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992. His administration was marked by increased stability and by progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998. He was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another "people power" movement ("EDSA 2") demanded his resignation. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2004. Her presidency was marred by several corruption allegations but the Philippine economy was one of the few to avoid contraction following the 2008 global financial crisis, expanding each year of her administration. Benigno AQUINO III was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2010 and was succeeded by Rodrigo DUTERTE in May 2016. The Philippine Government faces threats from several groups, some of which are on the US Government's Foreign Terrorist Organization list. Manila has waged a decades-long struggle against ethnic Moro insurgencies in the southern Philippines, which has led to a peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front and ongoing peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The decades-long Maoist-inspired New People's Army insurgency also operates through much of the country. The Philippines faces increased tension with China over disputed territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea.
Flag description
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red; a white equilateral triangle is based on the hoist side; the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays; each corner of the triangle contains a small, yellow, five-pointed star; blue stands for peace and justice, red symbolizes courage, the white equal-sided triangle represents equality; the rays recall the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain, while the stars represent the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897

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Economy

Gdp
Purchasing power parity (World Rank: 29)	806,300,000,000	USD
Real growth rate (World Rank: 16)	6.90	%
Per capita purchasing power parity (World Rank: 150)	7,700	USD
Source agriculture (World Rank: 92)	9.70	%
Source industry (World Rank: 71)	30.80	%
Source service (World Rank: 130)	59.50	%
Labourforce
Total (World Rank: 15)	43,200,000
In poverty (World Rank: 100)	21.60	%
Products
Industries	- apparatus - basic metal industries - beverage manufacturing - chemical products - construction - electric/gas/water supply - electronics assembly - food - fuel - garments - non-metallic minerals - petroleum - radio/television/communications equipment - semiconductors - textile - transport equipment
Agriculture	- bananas - cassava - coconut - copra - corn - fish - livestock - mangoes - pineapple - poultry - rice - sugarcane
Exports	- bananas/fruits - beverages - chemicals - coconut oil - copper concentrates - electronic products - garments - machinery - processed food - seafood - semiconductors - transport equipment - wood manufactures
Imports	- chemicals - electronic products - grains - iron - machinery - mineral fuels - plastic - steel - textile fabrics - transport equipment

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Communication

Phone
Landline total (World Rank: 38)	3,835,910
Landline per 100 (World Rank: 164)	4.00
Mobile per 100 (World Rank: 107)	110.00
Assessment	0
Internet
Users (World Rank: 12)	56,956,400
Population (World Rank: 106)	55.50	%

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Transport

Air
Airports paved (World Rank: 27)	89.00
Airports unpaved (World Rank: 24)	158.00
Heliports (World Rank: 57)	2.00
Rail
Total length (World Rank: 89)	995
Road
Total length (World Rank: 24)	216,387
Paved length (World Rank: 43)	61,093
Unpaved length (World Rank: 15)	155,294
Water
Total length (World Rank: 31)	3,219

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