THE PHILIPPINES
COUNTRY PROFILE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
CAPITAL: Manila
AREA: 300,000 sq km (115,831 sq miles)
MAJOR LANGUAGES: Filipino (Tagalog), English
MAJOR RELIGION: Christianity
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 66 years (men), 73 years (women)
CURRENCY: Philippine peso
INCUMBANT LEADER: President Benigno Aquino
POPULATION
The Philippines are the highest portions of a partly submerged mountain chain, comprising more than 7000 islands grouped into three island groups: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The bulk of its rapidly-growing population, however, lives on just 11 of them. Manila, the capital city, is the most densely populated city in the world, with 42,857 people per square kilometer.
GEOGRAPHY
The country is largely mountainous and vulnerable to earthquakes and eruptions due to the presence of around 20 active volcanoes. It is often buffeted by typhoons and other storms.
The Philippines shares its maritime borders with China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Palau, Vietnam, and Taiwan.
HISTORY
Once colonised by Spain (1565 - 1898) and the United States (1898 - 1946), Spanish and American influences remain strong in the country particularly in areas such as language, religion and government. Hence, it remains one of the most westernised nations in Southeast Asia, owing to its unique blend of eastern and western culture.
Self-rule was granted in 1935, and independence subsequently followed in 1946 under a US-style constitution.
Jeepneys, a popular mode of transport in the Philippines
Halo-Halo, our favourite Filipino dessert!