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Capital: Manila
Population(2008 projection ): 90,400,000
Size: 115,830 sq mi (300,000 sq km)
 The Philippines is located in the SW Pacific Ocean, in the Malay Archipelago off the SE Asia mainland. It comprises over 7,000 islands, extending 1,152 mi (1,855 km) from north to south, between Taiwan and Borneo, and 688 mi (1,108 km) from east to west. Approximately 400 are permanently inhabited. The 11 largest islands; Luzon, Mindanao, Samar, Negros, Palawan, Panay, Mindoro, Leyte, Cebu Bohol, and Masbate, contain about 95% of the total land area. The capital city of Manila is located on the island of Luzon.
The Philippines is chiefly of volcanic origin. Narrow coastal plains, wide valleys, volcanoes, dense forests, and mineral and hot springs further characterize the larger islands. Earthquakes are common.The Philippines is entirely within the tropical zone. Manila, with a mean daily temperature of 79.5°F (26. 4°C), is typical of the climate of the lowland areas. The highlands, however, have a mean annual temperature of 64°F (17.8°C).
The republic is divided into 72 provinces and 61 chartered cities. In addition to Manila, other important centers are Quezon City , also on Luzon; Cebu, on Cebu Island; Iloilo , on Panay; Davao and Zamboanga , on Mindanao; and Jolo, on Jolo Island in the Sulu Archipelago.
 With their tropical climate, heavy rainfall, and naturally fertile volcanic soil, the Philippines is predominantly agricultural. Rice, corn, and coconuts take up about 80% of all cropland. Livestock and fishing are common occupations. The Sulu Archipelago is noted for its pearls and mother-of-pearl shell.
Manufacturing is concentrated in metropolitan Manila, near the nation's prime port. Textiles, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals are manufactured, and the assembly of electronics and automobiles is important. Other industries include food processing and petroleum refining. Chief exports are electronics and telecommunications equipment, lumber and plywood, machinery, garments, coconut products, copper, and sugar. The chief trading partners are the United States and Japan.
The great majority of the people of the Philippines belong to the Malay group and are known as Filipinos. Other groups include the Negritos and the Dumagats. There is also a small Chinese minority. The Filipinos live mostly in the lowlands and constitute one of the largest Christian groups in Asia. Roman Catholicism is professed by over 80% of the population.
Some 70 native languages are spoken in the Philippines. The official national language is Pilipino. A considerable number of Filipinos speak English, the nation's second language.
The Philippines is on the verge of a phenomenal future
· The Philippine currency has reached a 5-year high in 2007 and continues to be strong and resilient, fortified by the economic management of the current administration.
· Among the 25 priority infrastructure projects expected for completion by 2010 are the LRT line 1 to NAIA, the P21 billion Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, the P6.9 billion Subic Port development the P1.3 billion North Expressway-South Luzon Expressway connection via C-5 Project, and the Edsa Rehabilitation Project. Six of the major projects are set to be completed by March 2007.
· The Philippine Stock exchange hit a nine year record in 2006 and opened 2007 some 30 percent higher and continues to be strong.
· The overall business climate is upbeat and industry leaders and CEOs perceive that 2007 and 2008 will be even better.
· The Philippines has emerged a strong second to India in the global outsourcing market. In 2006, it recorded $3.6 billion in earnings, a 50%-percent jump from 2005 and by 2010 it is expected to earn as much as $12.2billion.
· Big outsourcing players in the U.S. such as Sykes Enterprises, Convergys, PeopleSupport Inc, Accenture, and eTelecare Global solutions have already set up headquarters in the Philippines, and Dell computers recently opened a contact center and is on schedule to open a second one this year. The Philippines is becoming a much preferred option as it has stronger cultural ties to the United States than India, and it is expected to catch up and even overtake India as market leader.
· Remittances from Filipino Expatriates have grown to over $1.2billion dollars a month!
· We are on the verge of the biggest real estate boom in history, set to totally eclipse the 1997 Asian crisis, and fueled by money from Overseas Filipinos, foreign investment, and a strong and bullish economy.
· A surging demand for real estate is expected to sustain a continued surging growth of the Property industry.
· The current economic managers of the country have remained steadfast in pursuing a blueprint for an economically prosperous future.
*Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, Copyright (c) 2003. |