The Philippines - Country Overview

The Philippines - Country Overview

A map of the Philippines

The Philippine is favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait.

Country Name: Republic of the Philippines (Philippines)
Local Form: Republika ng Pilipinas (Pilipinas)

Capital: Manila

Population: 86,241,697 (growth rate: 1.88%) (July 2004 est.)

Government Type: Republic

Independence: 12 June 1898 (from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from the US)
National Holiday: Independence Day, 12 June (1898); Philippine American Friendship Day 4 July (1946)

Constitution: 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987

The flag of the Philippines

Currency: Philippine peso (PHP)

National Anthem: Lupang Hinirang

Flag Description: Two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a small yellow five-pointed star

Land Area: 298,170 sq km

Highest Point: Mount Apo 2,954 m

Languages: Two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English; eight major languages - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilokan, Hiligaynon(or Ilonggo), Bikol, Waray, Kapampangan, and Pangasinan; between seventy to one hundered seventy distinct languages.

Religions: Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%

Industries: electronics assembly, textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing

Agriculture Products: rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, pork, eggs, beef, fish

Natural Resources: timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper

Source: Selections from The CIA World Factbook with minor modifications.