(population: 1.8 million; Manila is part of a much larger metropolitan area with an estimated population of 13 million people (in 2020).
Other Cities:
Quezon City (3 million), Davao City (2.5 million);
Cebu City (0.7 million)
Government:
Type: Republic
Independence: 12 June 1898 (from Spain)
Constitution: 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987
Geography:
Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South
China Sea, east of Vietnam.
Area: 300,000 km² (115 739 sq m)
Terrain: Mountains on the smaller islands, larger islands have mountains with fertile
river valleys in the interior and narrow to extensive coastal plains.
Climate: Tropical, March to May is hot and dry, rainy season from June to October,
November to February moderate. Average temperatures: 78°F / 25°C to 90°F
/ 32°C
People:
Nationality: Noun--Filipino(s). Adjective--Philippine.
Population: 108 million (in 2020)
Luzon, the largest island group,
accounts for more than half of the entire population.
Ethnic Groups: Malay, Chinese.
Religions: Catholic 80%, Moslem 15%, Christian denominations, and Buddhists.
Languages: Filipino
and English (official). Filipino, which is based on Tagalog, is the national language.
English is also widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education.
Literacy: 92%
Natural resources: Timber, limited offshore petroleum, extensive mineral
deposits of copper, gold, silver, nickel, lead, and chromium.
Agriculture products: Rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples,
mangoes, pork, eggs, beef, fish.
Industries: electronics assembly, textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals,
wood products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing.
Exports - commodities: semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits
Exports - partners: China 16%,
United States 15%,
Japan 13%,
Hong Kong 12%,
Singapore 7%,
Germany 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: electronic products, mineral fuels, machinery and transport equipment, iron and steel, textile fabrics, grains, chemicals, plastic
Imports - partners: China 29%, Japan 8%,
South Korea 7%, United States 6%, Singapore 6%,
Indonesia 6%,
Thailand 5%,
Taiwan 5% (2019)
Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
The Philippines in Figures
Philippines' key statistical data.