The Philippines
is the world's third largest English-speaking country after the United States and the United Kingd

A majority of Filipinos
are Roman Catholics,
though a sgnificant number are Protestants
and Moslems.

In certain areas,
horse-drawn carriages or calesas ply short routes.

STRETCHING 1,839 KMS. north-to-south off the southeast coast of Asia, the Republic of the Philippines has a total land area of 300,000 sq. kms. Its 4.107 islands comprise one of the largest island groups in the world.
About 72 million Filipinos make up the population, 55% of whom occupy the largest island of Luzon Filipinos comprise 111 cultural and linguistic groups of Malayo-Polynesian origin, with varying degrees of Chinese, Spanish and American influences. Majority are Roman Catholics, though a sgnificant number are Protestants and Moslems.
The Philippines is the world's third largest English-speaking country after the United States and the United Kingdom. Pilipino is the national language; English is used for commercial and legal transactions. Literacy rate is a high 94%.

CLIMATE The Philippines is a tropical countrywith an average temperature of 32 degrees Centigrade. March to June are hot and dry; rains and typhoons abound from July to October; November to February are pleasantly cool and dry. In mountainous regions, temperature dip to about 15 degrees Centigrade.

HISTORY Long before the year 1500, Chinese, Arab and Indian traders had been making regular visits to the islands, then a thriving commercial center. In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan, a Portugese explorer in the service of Spain, landed on the islands. Later expeditions were conducted in the name of Spain's King Philip II, after whom the country was later on named. In 1898, Filipinos won independence after 327 years under Spanish rule but found themselves colonized by the Americans from 1900 to 1942 and occupied by the Japanese from 1943 to 1945, after which the Americans took control once more until the birth of the Second Republic in 1946.

TODAY The country is divided into 14 regions (including the National Capital Region or Metro Manila and the Cordillera Autonomous Region), 73 provinces and 60 cities. The economy is basically light industry and agriculture - the chief products being rice, corn, coconut, pineapple and sugar. The land is rich in copper, cobalt, nickel, silver, iron and gold deposits. It has well-developed industries in food processing, textiles, clothing and home appliances, with fast-growing aquaculture, microcircuits and furniture sectors.
The Philippines has an extensive coastline stretcing 34,600 kms. Its chief ports are in Manila, Batangas, Bataan, Cebu, Iloilo, Iligan and Davao. Manila Bay, with an area of 1,239 sq. lms. and a circumference of 193 kms. is the finest natural harbor in the Far East.

CURRENCY The monetary unit is the peso, divided into 100 centavos. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas supervises aithorized foreign exchange dealers and posts official exchange rates for most international currencies.

COMMUNICATIONS Over one million television sets as well as 2.3 million radios and more than a million telephones are in use nationwide. There are 32 daily newspapers, over half of which are in English and the rest in various dialects. Telephones are readily available. Overseas calls to over 120 countries may be made through International Direct Dialing (IDD) or with operator assistance. Domestic and international telegram, telex, facsimile and Internet services are also available.

TRANSPORTATION Philippine Airlines flies from Manila to 43 points throughout the country. In Metro Manila, taxis, buses, jeepneys, and a rail transit system provide public transportation. International and local car rental companies provide chauffeured or self-driven limousine service. Large groups may hire medium-sized passenger vans or tourist coaches.

TOURS Most travel agencies have set tours to popular spots outside Metro Manila, but personalized tours can also be arranged. Please contact your hotel concierge or the Department of Tourism.