Although composed of 7,107 islands (7,108 at low tide), with a total coastline longer than that of the USA, most of the population of The Philippines lives on just 11 of them.
The country offers warm tropical waters, coral gardens with beautiful marine life and dramatic drop-offs on the sea bed.

Inland, the rich history and culture of the Filipino people, the dramatic landscapes and thriving cities fascinate the visitor. Manila, the capital of The Philippines, is also its heart and soul. It sets the rhythm of life in this archipelago and is a pulsating hub that blends the Oriental with the Occidental, the traditional with the modern, the mundane with extraordinary.

The earliest inhabitants of the Philippines were the Negritos. Other tribes later arrived from Malaysia and Indonesia. The islands were occupied by the Japanese between 1942 and 1945, during WWII, only achieving independence in 1946. During the next two decades, there was a succession of presidents who maintained strong links with the USA.

In 1965, Ferdinand Marcos of the Nacionalista party won the presidential elections and began a programme of rapid economic development. By 1972, Marcos had instituted martial law and suppressed all political opposition. He also set about large-scale looting of the country’s finances to fill his and his family’s own foreign bank accounts.

By the mid-1980s, the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party, was able to sustain a major insurrection right across the country in both rural and urban areas. The turning point for the regime came after the assassination of Benigno Aquino upon his return from exile in 1983. Public opinion rallied behind his widow, Corazon Aquino in a massive campaign of demonstrations and non-violent protest, popularly dubbed ‘People Power’. Then, US President Ronald Reagan withdrew his backing from Marcos. The Filipino military, Marcos’ last bastion of support, followed suit and Marcos left for Hawaiian exile in 1986. He died there in 1989.

Poverty and the country’s debt burden are still very high, explaining the high number of Filipinos residing abroad.

Infrastructure projects involving airports, expressways, inter-island transport and even the currently almost non-existent railway system are part of a 10-point development agenda until 2010. Travel and tourism will surely benefit, as airports nationwide are being constructed or renovated to accommodate larger planes and more visitors.

300,000 sq km (115,831 sq miles).

82.8 million (UN estimate 2005).

274.3 per sq km.

Manila. Population: 9.9 million (2005 metropolitan area).

Republic since 1935. Gained independence from the USA in 1946.

Filipino, based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is widely spoken, Spanish less so. There are over 111 cultural and racial groups, each with its own language or dialect; up to 988 languages have been recorded.

Roman Catholic 83%; the rest are made up mostly of Muslims, other Christian denominations, Buddhists and Taoists.

GMT + 8.

Government officials are addressed by their titles such as Senator, Congressman or Director. Otherwise, usual modes of address and levels of politeness are expected. Casual dress is acceptable in most places, but in Muslim areas the visitor should cover up. Filipino men may wear an embroidered long-sleeved shirt or a plain white barong tagalog with black trousers for formal occasions, women wear cocktail dresses or long gowns. The Philippines are, in many respects, more westernised than any other Asian country, but there is a rich underlay of Malay culture.

220 volts (110 volts in Baguio) AC, 60Hz. 110 volts is available in most hotels. Flat and round two- and three-pin plugs are in use.

President Maria Gloria Macapagal Arroyo since 2001.