Philippines
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Name: The Republic of Philippines History: Filipones real people of Philippines are of Malay origin who migrated from Indonesia and Malaysia. Spanish explorers led by Federal Magellan conquered Philippines in 1521 and named this island after king Philip II. Spain lost the island to Americans after the Spanish American war in 1868 and the Americans ruled for more than 40 years until they granted independence to Philippines in 1946. Following rebellions by communist guerrillas the country came under the military dictatorship of President Marcos. He was overthrown in 1986 and the country thus returned to free elections. In 1992 the US removed its last military base on the island. Location: Southeastern Asia, between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea and in East of Vietnam. Area: 300,000 sq km Coastline: 36,289 km Terrain: Philippines consists of more than 7,000 islands, which are full of mountains with very few lowlands. There are over 30 active volcanoes and frequent earth tremors. Only 750 islands are inhabited and 60% land is covered with forests. Due to ruthless plundering and chopping of the forests the country is having problem of soil erossion. Climate: It is warm and moist or tropical marine, with two seasons wet and dry. Rainfall varies from 50 to 180 inches and North east monsoon is from November to April and Southwest monsoon from May to October. Ethnic Groups: Tagalog - 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonygo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4% and others 25.3%. Religions: Roman Catholics 80.9%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni krito 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christians 4.5%, Muslim 5% and others 1.7%. Language: Two official languages, Filipino (based on Tagalon) and English. It is the third largest English speaking country in the world. Population: 89,468,677 (July 2006 est) Population Growth Rate: 1.8% Life Expectancy: 70 years of the total population, male - 67.36% and female - 73.24%. Nationality: noun - Filipino, adjective - Philippine Capital: Manila Largest City: Quezone City Literacy: 92.6% of the total population, 92.5% of males and 92.7% of females. Independence: 12 June 1898 from Spain and 4 July from US. Constitution: 2 February 1987 and became effective on 11 February 1987. Government: Multi-party republic Currency: Peso (PHP) Calling Code: +63 Internet Code: .ph Executive Branch: President and the vice President are elected for 6 years and the President is the head of the government and the chief of the State. Cabinet is appointed by the President with consent of the commission of appointment. Legislative Branch: Bicameral Congress consists of Senate (with 24 seats) and House of Representatives (with 250 seats). Legal System: It is based on Spanish and Anglo American law. Judicial Branch: Supreme Court is the highest court, it consists of 15 jutices appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Judicial Bar Council and serve until 70 years of age. National Flag: It has 2 horizontal bands of blue and red representing Courage, a white triangle on hoist side representing Equality with a yellow Sun having 8 primary rays in the center and each ray represents the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain. Each corner of the triangle contains yellow star showing three major geographical divisions of the country - Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. If the flag is upside down that is if red colour is on top it means that Philippines is at war. Motto: In Philippines - Maka Diyos, Makakalikasan, at Makabasa (which means For God, People, Nature and the Country). Coat of Arm: It has 8 rayed Sun and 3 fire pointed stars. Blue field on the left side with eagle of United States and red field on the right with lion rampant of Spain, both showing colonial history. National Holiday: Independence day 12 June National Anthem: Lupang Hinirang National Animal: Carabao (Bubalus bubalis carabanesis) National Bird: Haribon - Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) National Fish: Milk Fish (Bangus) National Flower: Arabian Jasmine sampaguita National Tree: Angsana (Narra) National Leaf: Fan Palm National Fruit: Mango (Mangifera indica) National Sport: Sipa Economy: Philippines is a developing country. The Government is working to solve the economic and environmental problems in Philippines left by several colonial rulars. Logging companies have cut millions of trees, causing soil ersion. High population growth and unequal distribution of income adds to the problem. Factories are small scale and about 20% of land is cultivated. GDP growth was 5% between 2002 and 2005 and 40% of population is below poverty line. Industries: Electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining and fishing Agriculture Products: Rice, coconut, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, pork, eggs, beef and fish. Main Exports: Clothes, electronics equipment, timber and coconut oil |