A Brief Description
Positioned on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean, along the Ring of Fire, the Philippines is the second-largest archipelago on the planet, with over 7,100 individual islands counted within its borders.
For hundreds of years the Philippines were a Spanish colony, but then were ceded to the U.S. in 1898, following the Spanish-American War.
One of the main focal points of battles between Japan and the U.S. during World War II, at the end of that war (in 1946) with the U.S. victory in the South Pacific, the Philippines attained total independence.
The dictatorial government of Ferdinand Marcos ended in 1986, and since then, a long parade of electoral presidential problems and internal struggles have continued.
In addition, Abu Sayyaf, an armed Muslim insurgency group operating in the south, has collectively plagued the country for many years, and is now causing serious disruptions, especially in western tourism visits.
In 1992, after many years of negotiations, the U.S. finally closed its last military bases on the islands, and (in the view of many), the Philippines lost much needed revenue from that action.
And speaking of problems, the Philippines has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world. At the current rate of deforestation it's been estimated that the country’s virgin forests are in danger of disappearing by 2010.
Tourism has never been a major industry in the Philippines, although Manila, beaches and resorts on some of the smaller islands, as well as rain forest tours remain popular.
Read more about the Philippines here!
Mayon Volcano, Philippines!
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Facts and Figures
 Name Philippines
(long form) Republic of the Philippines
Population 87,857,500
Population & Density (all countries) here
Capital City Manila (10.8) metro (14.9 mil)
Currency Philippine Peso (PHP)
Currency Converter
here
Languages Filipino (official), English (official)
Flag here
National Day June 12
Religions Catholic (81%), Muslim (5%), Christian (5%), and others
Geographic Coordinates
Latitude/Longitude (Capital City)
14º 37' N, 120º 58' E
Relative Location The Philippines are located in both the northern and eastern hemispheres. Positioned off the southeastern coast of Asia, directly east of Vietnam and northeast of Malaysia, this island nation is literally surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, and many smaller bodies of water including the Philippine Sea, Celebes Sea, Sula Sea and South China Sea.
Land Statistics
Coastline 22,549 miles (36,289 km)
Land Areas
(land) 115,831 sq miles (300,000 sq km)
(water) 707 sq miles (1,830 sq km)
(TOTAL) 115,124 sq miles (298,170 sq km)
Land Area (all countries) here
Landforms
The Philippine islands, positioned on the Ring of Fire, are subject to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
The Mayon Volcano is the most active in the Philippines, and considered one of the most dangerous on the planet, however, it does not stand alone; in 1991, Mount Pinatubo erupted, and proved to be one of the most significant volcanic eruptions in recorded history.
Extending about 1,100 miles (north to south), its many islands (volcanic in origin) are mostly mountainous, with narrow coastal plains; many islands are covered by tropical rain forests. Luzon is the largest island, followed by Mindanao, and both have numerous volcanoes.
The longest river is the Cagayan (Río Grande de Cagayan) on Luzon, 217 miles, (350 km) long. Other significant rivers (on Luzon) include the Abra, Bicol, Chico, and Pampanga. On Mindanao, important rivers include the Mindanao River and the Agusan.
Laguna de Bay, just southeast of Manila, is the largest lake of the Philippines. Lake Taal, also south of Manila, occupies a huge volcanic crater and contains an island that is itself a volcano. Lake Lanao is the largest lake of Mindanao and the source of the Agusan River.
 Highest Point Mt. Apo - 9,692 ft. (2,954 m)
 Lowest Point Philippine Sea - (0 ft.) (0 m)
Land Divisions 79 provinces and 115 chartered cities. Provinces include: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu, Compostela, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay.
Chartered cities here!
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Maps
Philippines (large color) Map here
Philippines Outline Map here
Philippines CIA version here
Philippines Maps at UT here
Babuyan Islands Map here
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Asia Continent (printable) here
Asia Outline Map here
Asia (Southeast) Outline Map here
Asia (Name the Country) Map Test here
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Indian Subcontinent Map here
Middle East Landforms here
Middle East Map here
Middle East Outline Map here
Middle East Rivers here
Ring of Fire Map here
Tsunami Map (December 2004) here
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World Outline Maps (printable) here
World Time Zone Map here
Recommended Links
Philippines (Complete) info on the (GDP)
economy, imports and exports, natural resources, government, population, military, transportation, and more here!
Philippines Embassy (Washington DC) here!
Philippines News here!
Philippines Photos at TrekEarth.com here!
Philippine Tourism here!
The Philippines here!
Time and Weather
Climate
The Philippines are very warm and humid throughout the year, and all are subject to seasonal monsoon rains (May - October) and (November - February).
Annual rainfall is heavy but varies widely. The greatest amounts fall along the mountainous east coasts of Luzon, Samar, and the northern tip of Mindanao.
The Philippines (especially the eastern coasts of Luzon and Samar) are subject to typhoons (July - October), and on average, 5 may cause significant destruction.
Between March and May, hot, dry weather prevails across the islands, with high humidity levels.
Temperatures in Manila range from 70° F to 90° F, with an average annual temperature of 80° F.
A rice paddy village in the Philippines!
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Traveler Info
Attractions
On one side of the coin, the terrorist threat to American citizens in the Philippines remains high and the US State Department warns against all but essential travel to the Philippines. The U.S. Embassy continues to receive reports of ongoing activities and of multiple planned attacks throughout the Philippines by known terrorist groups. All western travelers should consider the risks of travel to the Philippines.
On the positive side, this lush tropical country is replete with fascinating landscapes, active volcanoes, splendid beaches, coral waters and tropical rain forests. In addition, transportation between islands is very affordable, and for the most part, functional.
(Not to be missed) is the frantic pace of Manila's nightlife, its many museums, and World War II markers; the incredible Banaue rice terraces; the world-famous White Beach on Boracay Island, widely considered the most beautiful tropical beach in the world; Cebu and Palawan Islands, and their world class diving spots; the white beaches of Mindoro Island; the Taal Volcano and its volcanic lake, and the Spanish-Chinese colonial structures of Vigan in Ilocos - to truly name but a few.
Add to that mix the indigenous colorful festivals that cover the calendar, and the smiling and welcoming Filipino people, and well, the Philippines are waiting.
Country Dialing Code 63
Electricity Philippines uses 220 volts AC (50 Hz)
Electrical adapters, products and tips here
Travel Warnings
here
PASSPORTS - TRAVEL VISAS
NOTE: Before making your travel plans to any worldwide destination, we strongly recommend you authenticate important details regarding all passport and visa requirements. The experienced people at Travel Visa Pro can answer all of your questions!
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