Philippines

Philippines

 officially Republic of the Philippines

Island country, western Pacific Ocean, on an archipelago off the southeast coast of Asia. Area: 122,121 sq mi (316,294 sq km). Population (2005 est.): 84,191,000. Capital: Manila; Quezon City is the designated centre of national government. Filipinos are predominantly of Malay descent, frequently with Chinese and sometimes American or Spanish ancestry. Languages: Pilipino and English (both official); the other main groups are Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, and Bicol. Religions: Christianity (predominantly Roman Catholic; also Protestant, other Christians); also Islam. Currency: Philippine peso. The Philippines consist of about 7,100 islands and islets. The two principal islands are Luzon in the north and Mindanao in the south. The Visayan group is in the central Philippines, Mindoro is directly south of Luzon, and Palawan is isolated in the west. The topography is varied; inactive volcanoes and mountain ranges are the main features of most of the larger islands. The country has a predominantly market economy based largely on agriculture, light industries, and services. The Philippines is a republic with two legislative houses; its chief of state and head of government is the president. First visited by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, the islands were colonized by the Spanish, who retained control until the Philippines were ceded to the U.S. in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. The Commonwealth of the Philippines was established in 1935 to prepare the country for political and economic independence, which was delayed by World War II and the invasion of Japanese troops. The islands were liberated by U.S. forces in 1944–45, and the Republic of the Philippines was proclaimed in 1946, with a government patterned on that of the U.S. In 1965 Ferdinand Marcos was elected president. He declared martial law in 1972, which lasted until 1981. After 20 years of dictatorial rule, Marcos was driven from power in 1986. Corazon Aquino became president and instituted a period of democratic rule that continued with the elections of subsequent presidents. The government has tried to come to terms with Muslim independence fighters in the southern islands by establishing the Muslim Mindanao autonomous region in southwestern Mindanao and nearby islands.

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Philippines

Republic of the. a republic in SE Asia, occupying an archipelago of about 7100 islands (including Luzon, Mindanao, Samar, and Negros): became a Spanish colony in 1571 but ceded to the US in 1898 after the Spanish-American War; gained independence in 1946. The islands are generally mountainous and volcanic. Official languages: Filipino, based on Tagalog, and English. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: peso. Capital: Manila. Pop.: 81 408 000 (2004 est.). Area: 300 076 sq. km (115 860 sq. miles)

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Philippines

discovered by Magellan during his attempted circumnavigation of the globe. [World Hist.: Benét, 618]

See : Discovery

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Philippines

Official name: Republic of the Philippines

Capital city: Manila

Internet country code: .ph

Flag description: Two equal horizontal bands of blue (top; representing peace and justice) and red (representing courage); a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side represents equality; the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays, each representing one of the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain; each corner of the triangle contains a small yellow five-pointed star representing the three major geo­graphical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897

National anthem: “Lupang Hinirang,” music from “Mar­cha Nacional Filipina” (Philippine National March) by Julian Felipe; lyrics from poem “Filipinas” by Jose Palma

National motto: “Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Makakalikasan At Makabansa.”

Geographical description: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam

Total area: 117,187 sq. mi. (300,000 sq. km.)

Climate: Tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)

Nationality: noun: Filipino(s); adjective: Philippine

Population: 91,077,287 (July 2007 CIA est.)

Ethnic groups: Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3%

Languages spoken: Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

Religions: Roman Catholic 80.9%, Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Chris­tian 4.5%, other (including Buddhist) 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1%

Legal Holidays:

All Saints' Day	Nov 1
Araw ng Kagitingan	Apr 9
Black Saturday	Apr 23, 2011; Apr 7, 2012; Mar 30, 2013; Apr 19, 2014; Apr 4, 2015
Bonifacio Day	Nov 30
Christmas Day	Dec 25
Edsa Revolution Day	Feb 24
Good Friday	Apr 22, 2011; Apr 6, 2012; Mar 29, 2013; Apr 18, 2014; Apr 3, 2015
Independence Day	Jun 12
Labor Day	May 1
Maundy Thursday	Apr 21, 2011; Apr 5, 2012; Mar 28, 2013; Apr 17, 2014; Apr 2, 2015
National Heroes Day	Aug 28, 2011; Aug 26, 2012; Aug 25, 2013; Aug 31, 2014; Aug 30, 2015
New Year's Day	Jan 1
New Year's Eve	Dec 31
Rizal Day	Dec 30