Philippines
An archipelagic country in Southeast Asia with over 7,600 islands.
The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of about 7,641 islands, with a total area of about 300,000 square kilometers. The islands are broadly categorized in three main geographical divisions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. With a population of over 114 million, it is the world's twelfth-most-populous country. Manila is the capital, and Quezon City is the most populated city.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Manila
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia
- Languages
- English, Filipino
- Currency
- Philippine peso
- Official languages
- Filipino (Tagalog) and English
- Religion
- Predominantly Roman Catholic
- Government
- Unitary presidential constitutional republic
Lore & Background
Negritos were the archipelago's earliest inhabitants, followed by waves of Austronesian peoples. The adoption of animism, Hinduism with Buddhist influence, and Islam established island-kingdoms. Spanish explorer Ruy López de Villalobos named the archipelago las Islas Filipinas in 1543 in honor of King Philip II. Catholicism became the dominant religion. The Philippine Revolution began in 1896, and after the Spanish–American War, Spain ceded the territory to the United States. The Philippines became independent in 1946. The country experienced martial law from 1972 to 1981 under Ferdinand Marcos, who was overthrown by the People Power Revolution in 1986.
Reader's Guide
The Philippines is bounded by the South China Sea to the west, the Philippine Sea to the east, and the Celebes Sea to the south. It shares maritime borders with Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Palau, Guam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and China. It has diverse ethnicities and a rich culture. The economy is transitioning from agricultural to service- and manufacturing-centered. The country is part of multiple international organizations and forums, mainly in the Asia-Pacific region. It is prone to earthquakes, monsoon rains, and typhoons due to its location within the Pacific Ring of Fire and near the equator.
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