The Philippines is one of the great treasures of Southeast Asia. With over 7,000 tropical islands, it is the second-largest archipelago in the world with a 2008 population estimated to be 90 million. The major cities include the capital of Manila (pop. 11.55 million in metropolitan area), Davao City (1.36 million); Cebu City (0.80 million).
These islands span a total land area of approximately 300,000 square kilometers (116,000 sq. mi.) and border the Philippine Sea on the east, the South China Sea on the west, and the Celebes Sea on the south. The island of Borneo is located a few hundred kilometers southwest, and Taiwan is directly north. The Molucas, and Sulawesi are to the south-southwest, and Palau is to the east.
The Philippines is a place of natural wonders - a string of coral-fringed islands strewn across a vast expanse of the western Pacific. Below sea level, the Philippines have some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world. Above sea level, it has a fantastic landscape with long underground rivers, soaring karsts (limestone tower formations), incredible caves, and in the case of Palawan, islands that shoot out of the sea like jagged spearheads. And if you’re looking for palm trees and white, sandy beaches, the Philippines have too many to choose from.
The local climate is hot, humid, and tropical. The average yearly temperature is around 26.5 °C (79.7 °F). There are three recognized seasons: the hot season or summer March - May, the rainy season June - November), and (the cold season December - February).
| Most of the mountainous islands used to be covered in tropical rainforest and are volcanic in origin. The highest mountain is Mt. Apo measuring at 2,954 meters (9,692 ft) above sea level. There are many active volcanoes such as Mayan Volcano, Mount Pinatubo and Taal Volcano. The Philippines truly qualifies as one of the last great frontiers in Southeast Asian travel.
Any traveler who has been to the Philippines will tell you that it's the people and their culture that makes this place unique. Colonized by a succession of world powers, the Philippines is a vivid tapestry that reflects its varied cultural inheritance. The Filipinos themselves are among the most ebullient and easy going people anywhere. |
The majority of Philippine people are descendants of Indonesians and Malays who migrated to the islands in successive waves over many centuries and largely displaced the aboriginal inhabitants. The largest ethnic minority now is the mainland Asians (called Chinese), who have played an important role in commerce for many centuries since they first came to the islands to trade. Arabs and Indians also traveled and traded in the Philippines in the first and early second millennium. As a result of intermarriage, many Filipinos have some Asian mainland, Spanish, American, Arab, or Indian ancestry. After the mainland Asians, Americans and Spaniards constitute the next largest minorities in the country. And, although the country is called the Philippines, the people are referred to as Filipino
In an effort to develop national unity, the government has promoted the use of the national language, which is based on Tagalog. It is taught in all schools and is gaining widespread acceptance across the archipelago. Many use English, as a second languages. Nearly all professionals, academics, and government workers speak some English. In January 2003, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the Department of Education to restore English as the medium of instruction in all schools and universities. Industry
Important industries include food processing; textiles and garments; electronics and automobile parts; and business process outsourcing. Most industries are concentrated in the urban areas around metropolitan Manila. Mining also has great potential in the Philippines, which possesses significant reserves of chromate, nickel, and copper. Tourism enjoyed a record year in 2007, with over 3 million arrivals from overseas spending more than $5 billion and helping to fuel air transportation growth. Agriculture and Fishing
Arable farmland comprises more than 40 percent of the total land area. Philippine farms produce food crops for domestic consumption and cash crops for export. With its 7,107 islands, the Philippines has a very diverse range of fishing areas. Mining
The Philippines is one of the world's most highly mineralized countries, with untapped mineral wealth estimated at more than $840 billion. Philippine copper, gold, and chromate deposits are among the largest in the world. Other important minerals include nickel, silver, coal, gypsum, and sulfur. The Philippines also has significant deposits of clay, limestone, marble, silica, and phosphate. The discovery of natural gas reserves off Palawan has been brought on-line to generate electricity.
Nearly 400,000 Americans visit the Philippines each year. Providing government services to U.S. and other citizens, therefore, constitutes an important aspect of the bilateral relationship. Many people-to-people programs exist between the United States and the Philippines, including Fulbright, International Visitors, and Aquino Fellowship exchange programs, as well as the U.S. Peace Corps. Philippine tradition exhibits festivities known as barrio fiestas (district festivals) to commemorate their patron saints.
The most commonly played sports in the Philippines are basketball and billiards. Various other sports are also enjoyed, including boxing, badminton, football, soccer and bowling. GET TO KNOW THAILAND |
