Philippines

Philippines Background

The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. The islands attained their independence in 1946 after Japanese occupation in World War II. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced him into exile. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. The Philippines has had a series of electoral presidential transitions since the removal of MARCOS. The government continues to struggle with armed Muslim insurgencies in the south.

Philippines Information

• Population: 86,241,697 (July 2004 est.)
• Nationality: noun: Filipino(s) adjective: Philippine
• Location:: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
• Religions:: Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%
• Ethnic Groups:: Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3%
• Land Boundaries:: 0 km
• Area: total: 300,000 sq km water: 1,830 sq km land: 298,170 sq km
• Coast Line: 36,289 km
• Climate: tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
• Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
• Maritime Claims: territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in breadth continental shelf: to depth of exploitation exclusive ec
• Land Use: arable land: 18.95% permanent crops: 16.77% other: 64.28% (2001)
• Environmental Issues: uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds
• Natural Resources: timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper
• Highways: total: 201,994 km paved: 42,419 km unpaved: 159,575 km (2000)
• Railways: total: 897 km narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (492 km are in operation) (2003)
• Ports & Harbours: Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras Island, Iligan, Iloilo, Jolo, Legaspi, Manila, Masao, Puerto Princesa, San Fernando, Subic Bay, Zamboanga
• Airports: 253 (2003 est.)