World Atlas: Philippines

Information about Philippines

Here you can find online selected information about the geography, inhabitants, government, economy and history of Philippines. Included are selected statistics, an overview map and the detailed map of Philippines. But let's start with the flag of Philippines here:

Philippines - Overview:

What you should know about Philippines? Let's start with this: 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 of Philippines

Where on the globe is Philippines? The location of this country is Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam. Total area of Philippines is 300,000 sq km, of which 298,170 sq km is land. So this is quite a large country. How could we describe the terrain of the country? This way: mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands. The lowest point of Philippines is Philippine Sea 0 m, the highest point Mount Apo 2,954 m. And the climate is tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October).

Inhabitants of Philippines

Let's take a look how many people live in Philippines. The number is: 104,256,076 (July 2017 est.). So this country is among the most populous in the World. Who lives here? Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000 census). What are the languages in Philippines? Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan. And the religions: Catholic 82.9% (Roman Catholic 80.9%, Aglipayan 2%), Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census). How old are the people in average? 23.5 years. We have to add that this number is the median - so one half of the people is older than this, one half is younger. And what is their life expectancy (at birth)? This: 69.4 years. Where the people live in Philippines? Here: population concentrated where good farmlands lie; highest concentrations are northwest and south-central Luzon, the southeastern extension of Luzon, and the islands of the Visayan Sea, particularly Cebu and Negros; Manila is home to one-eighth of the entire national population. The major urban areas of Philippines are: Manila (capital) 12.946 million; Davao 1.63 million; Cebu City 951,000; Zamboanga 936,000 (2015).

Government and Economy of Philippines

The capital of Philippines is Manila and the government type presidential republic. Let's take a look at the administrative divisions - 80 provinces and 39 chartered cities. Regarding the economy of Philippines, important industrial products are semiconductors and electronics assembly, food and beverage manufacturing, construction, electric/gas/water supply, chemical products, radio/television/communications equipment and apparatus, petroleum and fuel, textile and garments, non-metallic minerals, basic metal industries, transport equipment. Important agricultural products are rice, fish, livestock, poultry, bananas, coconut/copra, corn, sugarcane, mangoes, pineapple, cassava. The most important export commodities are semiconductors and electronic products, machinery and transport equipment, wood manufactures, chemicals, processed food and beverages, garments, coconut oil, copper concentrates, seafood, bananas/fruits and the most important export partners are Japan 20.8%, US 15.5%, Hong Kong 11.7%, China 11%, Singapore 6.6%, Germany 4.1% (2016). The most important import commodities are electronic products, mineral fuels, machinery and transport equipment, iron and steel, textile fabrics, grains, chemicals, plastic and the most important import partners are China 17.3%, Japan 11.1%, US 8.4%, Thailand 7.3%, South Korea 6.1%, Singapore 6.1%, Indonesia 5.1% (2016). How rich is Philippines and how rich are people in this country? The most important number here is GDP per capita (PPP): $8,200 (2017 est.). This is quite a low number. Let's add that this means Gross Domestic Product per person, which is recalculated with respect to the relative cost of local goods and services. And one more important number - population below poverty line: 21.6% (2015 est.).

Map of Philippines