About Me
THE PHILIPPINES stands at the crossroads of the developed western world and the Orient. It lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, stretching more than 1,840 kilometers. Composed of 7,107 islands, the Philippines is readily accessible to the different capitals of the world. Its three main islands are Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The South China Sea washes its western shores. Taiwan, China and Hong Kong are northern neighbors and further north is Japan. To the west lie Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. An arm of the archipelago reaches out towards Borneo and at its feet stands the chain of Indonesian islands. To the east and south, the waters of the Pacific Ocean sweep its headlands, looking out towards Micronesia and Polynesia.
Its unique location has made the Philippines the commercial, cultural and intellectual hub of Asia from the dawn of history.
Country Profile
Capital:
Manila
Population:
85.3 million (2006)
Language:
Filipino and English are the official languages. Other languages spoken include Spanish and many regional languages and dialects, the most widely spoken of which is Cebuano.
Area:
300,000 sq. km. (115,831 sq. mi.)
Major Cities:
Metro Manila (11.3 million)
Metro Cebú (1.9 million)
Davao (1.2 million)
Zamboanga (700,000)
Cagayán de Oro (500,000)
Bacólod (430,000)
Iloilo (370,000)
Religion:
Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 8%, Muslim 5%.
National Anthem:
Lupang Hinirang
Music from Marcha Nacional Filipina by Julian Felipe (1898).
Lyrics from Filipinas by José Palma (1899).
Administrative Division:
The Philippines is divided into 81 provinces which are grouped into 17 regions based on geographical, cultural, and ethnological characteristics. In Luzon: Bicolandia, Cagayán Valley, Calabarzón, Central Luzon, Cordilleras, Ilocos, Metro Manila (National Capital Region), and Mimaro. In the Visayas: Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Western Visatas. In Mindanao: Bangsamoro (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), Caraga, Central Mindanao (Soccsksargen), Davao, Northern Mindanao, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
Famous Landmarks:
Banaue Rice Terraces, Mayon Volcano, Chocolate Hills of Bohol, Magellan's Cross, Intramuros de Manila, Malacañang Palace, Historic Town of Vigan, Paoay Church, Fort Santiago, Fort San Pedro, Manila Cathedral, Mount Apo, Tubbataha Reef, Taal Volcano, Maria Cristina Falls, San Juanico Bridge, Windmills of Bangui.
Currency:
Philippine peso (PHP) = 100 centavos
Time:
GMT + 8
Brief History:
Fernando de Magallanes arrived in the Philippines in 1521 and claimed the islands for Spain. They named the islands after the then Prince Philip (later King Philip II) of Spain. A colonial government was established in Manila in 1571 with Miguel López de Legazpi as first governor-general of the colony and its dependencies: Guam, Marianas, Micronesia, and Palau. Due to its distance from Spain, the islands were administered through the Viceroyalty of New Spain (Mexico) until 1821 when the Americas gained their independence. Colonial administration was then transferred to Madrid and the Philippines became a Spanish maritime province.
In 1896, the Filipinos staged a nationalistic revolution headed by Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo, inspired by the propaganda works of José Rizal. This led to independence and the founding of Asia's first republic on June 12, 1898. Filipino-American War followed with the defeat of the young republic and the establishment of another colonial government. Under United States rule, self-governance for the Philippines began in 1935 with full independence to be granted after a ten year transition period. The Japanese invasion of the Philippines in 1941 and its subsequent 3-year occupation inflicted considerable damage and halted transition programs. The Philippines nevertheless got their independence back in 1946.
Visit the Philippines 2008
Philippines: More Than The Usual
