Map of Philippines | Geography | People | Government | Economy | Energy | Communication
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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. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. A 20-year rule by Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986 when a 'people power' movement in Manila ('EDSA 1') forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts that prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992. His administration was marked by increased stability and by progress on economic reforms. In 1992 the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998. He was succeeded by his vice-president Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another 'people power' movement ('EDSA 2') demanded his resignation. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2004. Her presidency was marred by several corruption allegations but the Philippine economy was one of the few to avoid contraction following the 2008 global financial crisis expanding each year of her administration. Benigno AQUINO III was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2010. The Philippine Government faces threats from several groups on the US Government's Foreign Terrorist Organization list. Manila has waged a decades-long struggle against ethnic Moro insurgencies in the southern Philippines which has led to a peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front and on-again/off-again peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The decades-long Maoist-inspired New People's Army insurgency also operates through much of the country. The Philippines faces increased tension with China over disputed terriorial claims in the South China Sea.


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Location: Southeastern Asia archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea east of Vietnam

Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N 122 00 E

Map reference: Southeast Asia

Area
Total: 300,000 km²
Rank: 73
Land: 298,170 km²
Water: 1830 km²
Comparative: slightly larger than Arizona

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 36,289 km

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
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Continental shelf: to depth of exploitation

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

Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands

Elevation
Extremes lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m
Extremes highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m

Natural resources: timber petroleum nickel cobalt silver gold salt copper

Land use
Arable land: 19%
Permanent crops: 16.67%
Other: 64.33% (2005)

Irrigated land: 152,500 km² (2008)

Major rivers

Major watersheds area km²

Total water withdrawal

Total renewable water resources: 479 km³ (1999)

Natural hazards: astride typhoon belt usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis
Volcanism: the Philippines experience significant volcanic activity; Taal (elev. 311 m) which has shown recent unrest and may erupt in the near future has been deemed a 'Decade Volcano' by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Mayon (elev. 2,462 m) the country's most active volcano erupted in 2009 forcing over 33,000 to be evacuated; other historically active volcanoes include Biliran Babuyan Claro Bulusan Camiguin Camiguin de Babuyanes Didicas Iraya Jolo Kanlaon Makaturing Musuan Parker Pinatubo and Ragang

Geography
Note: the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands; favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China Sea Philippine Sea Sulu Sea Celebes Sea and Luzon Strait


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Population: 101,833,938 (July 2011 est.)
Rank: 12
Growth rate: 1.903% (2011 est.)
Growth rate rank: 60
Below poverty line: 32.9% (2006 est.)

Nationality
Noun: Filipino
Adjective: Philippine

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% (2000 census)

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

Religions: Catholic 82.9% (Roman Catholic 80.9% Aglipayan 2%) Muslim 5% Evangelical 2.8% Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3% other Christian 4.5% other 1.8% unspecified 0.6% none 0.1% (2000 census)

Demographic profile

Age structure
0-14 years: 34.6%
15-64 years: 61.1% (male 31,103,967/female 31,097,203)
65 years and over: 4.3% (male 1,876,805/female 2,471,644) (2011 est.)

Dependency ratios

Median age
Total: 22.9 years
Male: 22.4 years
Female: 23.4 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.903% (2011 est.)
Rank: 60

Birth rate: 25.34 births/1000 population (2011 est.)
Rank: 58

Death rate: 5.02 deaths/1000 population (July 2011 est.)
Rank: 183

Net migration rate: -1.29 migrant(s)/1000 population (2011 est.)
Rank: 157

Population distribution

Urbanization
Urban population: 49% of total population
Rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major urban areas

Environment
Current 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
International agreements party to: Biodiversity Climate Change Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Desertification Endangered Species Hazardous Wastes Law of the Sea Marine Dumping Ozone Layer Protection Ship Pollution Tropical Timber 83 Tropical Timber 94 Wetlands Whaling
International agreements signed but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Air pollutants

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.05 male/female
Under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
Total population: 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Mothers mean age at first birth

Maternal mortality ratio

Infant mortality rate
Total: 19.34 deaths/1000 live births
Rank: 100
Male: 21.84 deaths/1000 live births
Female: 16.71 deaths/1000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 71.66 years
Rank: 133
Male: 68.72 years
Female: 74.74 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.19 children born/woman (2011 est.)
Rank: 53

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source:

Current health expenditure

Physicians density: 1.153 physicians/1000 population (2004)
Rank: 96

Hospital bed density: 0.5 beds/1000 population (2006)
Rank: 169

Sanitation facility access:

Hiv/Aids
Adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2009 est.)
Adult prevalence rate rank: 148
People living with hivaids: 8,700 (2009 est.)
People living with hivaids rank: 104
Deaths: fewer than 200 (2009 est.)
Deaths rank: 110

Major infectious diseases
Degree of risk: high
Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea hepatitis A and typhoid fever
Vectorborne diseases: dengue fever malaria and Japanese encephalitis
Water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)

Obesity adult prevalence rate: 4.3% (2003)
Rank: 62

Alcohol consumption

Tobacco use

Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 20.7% (2003)
Rank: 32

Education expenditures: 2.8% of GDP (2008)
Rank: 138

Literacy
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 92.6%
Male: 92.5%
Female: 92.7% (2000 census)

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education
Total: 12 years
Male: 12 years
Female: 12 years (2008)

Youth unemployment


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Country name
Conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines
Conventional short form: Philippines
Local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas
Local short form: Pilipinas

Government type: republic

Capital
Name: Manila
Geographic coordinates: 14 35 N 121 00 E
Time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions: 80 provinces and 120 chartered cities
Provinces: Abra Agusan del Norte Agusan del Sur Aklan Albay Antique Apayao Aurora Basilan Bataan Batanes Batangas Biliran Benguet Bohol Bukidnon Bulacan Cagayan Camarines Norte Camarines Sur Camiguin Capiz Catanduanes Cavite Cebu Compostela Davao del Norte Davao del Sur Davao Oriental Dinagat Islands Eastern Samar Guimaras Ifugao Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur Iloilo Isabela Kalinga Laguna Lanao del Norte Lanao del Sur La Union Leyte Maguindanao Marinduque Masbate Mindoro Occidental Mindoro Oriental Misamis Occidental Misamis Oriental Mountain Province Negros Occidental Negros Oriental North Cotabato Northern Samar Nueva Ecija Nueva Vizcaya Palawan Pampanga Pangasinan Quezon Quirino Rizal Romblon Samar Sarangani Siquijor Sorsogon South Cotabato Southern Leyte Sultan Kudarat Sulu Surigao del Norte Surigao del Sur Tarlac Tawi-Tawi Zambales Zamboanga del Norte Zamboanga del Sur Zamboanga Sibugay
Chartered cities: Alaminos Angeles Antipolo Bacolod Bago Baguio Bais Balanga Batac Batangas Bayawan Bislig Butuan Cabadbaran Cabanatuan Cadiz Cagayan de Oro Calamba Calapan Calbayog Candon Canlaon Cauayan Cavite Cebu Cotabato Dagupan Danao Dapitan Davao Digos Dipolog Dumaguete Escalante Gapan General Santos Gingoog Himamaylan Iligan Iloilo Isabela Iriga Kabankalan Kalookan Kidapawan Koronadal La Carlota Laoag Lapu-Lapu Las Pinas Legazpi Ligao Lipa Lucena Maasin Makati Malabon Malaybalay Malolos Mandaluyong Mandaue Manila Marawi Marikina Masbate Mati Meycauayan Muntinlupa Munoz Naga Navotas Olongapo Ormoc Oroquieta Ozamis Pagadian Palayan Panabo Paranaque Pasay Pasig Passi Puerto Princesa Quezon Roxas Sagay Samal San Carlos (in Negros Occidental) San Carlos (in Pangasinan) San Fernando (in La Union) San Fernando (in Pampanga) San Jose San Jose del Monte San Juan San Pablo Santa Rosa Santiago Silay Sipalay Sorsogon Surigao Tabaco Tacloban Tacurong Tagaytay Tagbilaran Taguig Tagum Talisay (in Cebu) Talisay (in Negros Occidental) Tanauan Tangub Tanjay Tarlac Toledo Tuguegarao Trece Martires Urdaneta Valencia Valenzuela Victorias Vigan Zamboanga (2009)

Dependent areas

Independence: 12 June 1898 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from the US)

National holiday: Independence Day 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 was date of declaration of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from US

Constitution: 2 February 1987 effective 11 February 1987

Legal system: mixed legal system of civil common Islamic and customary law

International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt

Citizenship

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
Chief of state: President Benigno AQUINO ; Vice President Jejomar BINAY (since 30 June 2010); note - president is both chief of state and head of government
Head of government: President Benigno AQUINO (since 30 June 2010)
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with consent of Commission of Appointments
Elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for a single six-year term; election held on 10 May 2010; Benigno AQUINO declared winner and took office on 30 June 2010; next election to be held in May 2016
Election results: Benigno AQUINO elected president; percent of vote - Benigno AQUINO 42.1% Joseph ESTRADA 26.3% seven others 31.6%; Jejomar BINAY elected vice president; percent of vote Jejomar BINAY 41.6% Manuel ROXAS 39.6% six others 18.8%

Legislative branch: bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24 seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected at large by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Nga Kinatawan; the House has 287 seats including 230 members in one tier representing districts and 57 sectoral party-list members in a second tier representing special minorities elected on the basis of one seat for every 2% of the total vote but with each party limited to three seats; a party represented in one tier may not hold seats in the other tier; all House members are elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms
Note: the constitution limits the House of Representatives to 250 members; the number of members allowed was increased however through legislation when in April 2009 the Philippine Supreme Court ruled that additional party members could sit in the House of Representatives if they received the required number of votes
Elections: Senate - elections last held on 10 May 2010 (next to be held in May 2013); House of Representatives - elections last held on 10 May 2010 (next to be held in May 2013)
Election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Lakas-Kampi CMD 4 LP 4 NP 4 NPC 2 PMP 2 LDP 1 PRP 1 independents 5; note - there are 23 rather than 24 sitting senators because one senator was elected mayor of Manila; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LP 119 Lakas-Kampi CMD 46 NPC 30 NP 22 others 10 independents 1 party-list 55; vacant seats - 1 district and 2 party-list

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (15 justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70 years of age); Court of Appeals; Sandigan-bayan (special court for hearing corruption cases of government officials)

Political parties and leaders: Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA]; Lakas ng EDSA-Christian Muslim Democrats or Lakas-CMD [Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO]; Liberal Party or LP [Manuel ROXAS]; Nacionalista Party or NP [Manuel VILLAR]; Nationalist People's Coalition or NPC [Frisco SAN JUAN]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL]; People's Reform Party [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO]; Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (Force of the Philippine Masses) or PMP [Joseph ESTRADA]

International organization participation: ADB APEC APT ARF ASEAN BIS CD CICA (observer) CP EAS FAO G-24 G-77 IAEA IBRD ICAO ICC ICRM IDA IFAD IFC IFRCS IHO ILO IMF IMO IMSO Interpol IOC IOM IPU ISO ITSO ITU ITUC MIGA MINUSTAH NAM OAS (observer) OPCW PCA PIF (partner) UN UNCTAD UNDOF UNESCO UNHCR UNIDO Union Latina UNMIL UNMISS UNMIT UNMOGIP UNOCI UNWTO UPU WCO WFTU WHO WIPO WMO WTO

Diplomatic representation
In the us chief of mission: Ambassador Jose L. CUISIA Jr.
In the us chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington DC 20,036
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 467-9,300
In the us fax: [1] (202) 467-9,417
In the us consulate general: Chicago Honolulu Los Angeles New York Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands) San Francisco Tamuning (Guam)
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Harry K. THOMAS Jr.
From the us embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard Ermita 1000 Manila
From the us mailing address: PSC 500 FPO AP 96,515-1000
From the us telephone: [63] (2) 301-2000
From the us fax: [63] (2) 301-2,399

Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red; a white equilateral triangle is based on the hoist side; the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays; each corner of the triangle contains a small yellow five-pointed star; blue stands for peace and justice red symbolizes courage the white equal-sided triangle represents equality; the rays recall the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain while the stars represent the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon Visayas and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897
Note: in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at the top

National symbols: Philippine eagle

National anthem
Name: 'Lupang Hinirang'
Lyricsmusic: Jose PALMA (revised by Felipe PADILLA de Leon)/Julian FELIPE
Note: music adopted 1898 original Spanish lyrics adopted 1899 Filipino (Tagalog) lyrics adopted 1956; although the original lyrics were written in Spanish later English and Filipino versions were created; today only the Filipino version is used

National heritage


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Economy overview: Philippine GDP grew 7.3% in 2010 spurred by consumer demand a rebound in exports and investments and election-related spending. The economy weathered the 2008-09 global recession better than its regional peers due to minimal exposure to troubled international securities lower dependence on exports relatively resilient domestic consumption large remittances from four- to five-million overseas Filipino workers and a growing business process outsourcing industry. Economic growth in the Philippines averaged 4.5% during the MACAPAGAL-ARROYO administration. Despite this growth poverty worsened because of a high population growth rate and inequitable distribution of income. The AQUINO administration is working to reduce the government deficit from 3.9% of GDP when it took office to 2% of GDP by 2013. The government has had little difficulty issuing debt both locally and internationally to finance the deficits. AQUINO's first budget emphasizes education health conditional cash transfers for the poor and other social spending programs relying on the private sector to finance important infrastructure projects. Weak tax collection exacerbated by new tax breaks and incentives has limited the government's ability to address major challenges. The AQUINO administration has vowed to focus on improving tax collection efficiency - rather than imposing new taxes - as a part of its good governance platform.

Real gdp purchasing power parity:
Rank: 34
Note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Real gdp growth rate:
Rank: 31

Real gdp per capita:
Rank: 163
Note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Gross national saving

Gdp composition by end use

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 12.3%
Industry: 32.6%
Services: 55.1% (2010 est.)

Agriculture products: sugarcane coconuts rice corn bananas cassavas pineapples mangoes; pork eggs beef; fish

Industries: electronics assembly garments footwear pharmaceuticals chemicals wood products food processing petroleum refining fishing

Industrial production growth rate: 23.2% (2010 est.)
Rank: 4

Labor force: 38.9 million (2010 est.)
Rank: 15
By occupation agriculture: 33%
By occupation industry: 15%
By occupation services: 52% (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate: 7.5% (2009 est.)
Rank: 76

Youth unemployment

Population below poverty line: 32.9% (2006 est.)

Gini index

Household income or consumption by percentage share
Lowest 10: 2.4%
Highest 10: 31.2% (2006)

Distribution of family income gini index: 46.6 (2003)
Rank: 36

Budget
Revenues: $26.78 billion
Expenditures: $33.75 billion (2010 est.)
Surplus or deficit: -3.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
Surplus or deficit rank: 115

Taxes and other revenues: 14.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
Rank: 192

Public debt: 54.8% of GDP (2009 est.)
Rank: 48

Revenue

Fiscal year

Inflation rate consumer prices: 4.2% (2009 est.)
Rank: 124

Central bank discount rate: 3.5% (31 December 2009 est.)
Rank: 96

Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.566% (31 December 2009 est.)
Rank: 122

Stock of narrow money: $24.86 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Rank: 59

Stock of broad money: $83.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Rank: 52

Stock of domestic credit: $85.54 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Rank: 52

Market value of publicly traded shares:
Rank: 36

Current account balance: $9.358 billion (2009 est.)
Rank: 26

Exports: $37.61 billion (2009 est.)
Rank: 54
Commodities: semiconductors and electronic products transport equipment garments copper products petroleum products coconut oil fruits
Partners: China 19% US 13.4% Singapore 13.2% Japan 12.8% Hong Kong 7.6% Germany 4.2% South Korea 4.1% (2010)

Imports: $46.45 billion (2009 est.)
Rank: 42
Commodities: electronic products mineral fuels machinery and transport equipment iron and steel textile fabrics grains chemicals plastic
Partners: Japan 14.1% China 13.6% US 9.9% Singapore 9.3% Thailand 6.5% South Korea 5.6% Indonesia 4.1% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $44.24 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Rank: 28

Debt external: $62.62 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Rank: 52

Stock of direct foreign investment at home: $23.56 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Rank: 64

Stock of direct foreign investment abroad: $6.095 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Rank: 56

Exchange rates:


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Electricity
Production: 59.19 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Production rank: 44
Consumption: 54.4 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Consumption rank: 43
Exports: 0 kWh (2009 est.)
Imports: 0 kWh (2009 est.)

Coal

Petroleum

Crude oil

Refined petroleum

Natural gas
Production: 3.15 billion m³ (2009 est.)
Production rank: 54
Consumption: 3.15 billion m³ (2009 est.)
Consumption rank: 71
Exports: 0 m³ (2009 est.)
Exports rank: 166
Imports: 0 m³ (2009 est.)
Imports rank: 175
Proven reserves: 98.54 billion m³ (1 January 2011 est.)
Proven reserves rank: 53

Carbon dioxide emissions

Energy consumption per capita


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Telephones
Main lines in use: 6.783 million (2010)
Main lines in use rank: 29
Mobile cellular: 79.896 million (2010)
Mobile cellular rank: 15

Telephone system
General assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate
Domestic: telecommunications infrastructure includes the following platforms: fixed line mobile cellular cable TV over-the-air TV radio and Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) fiber optic cable and satellite; mobile-cellular communications now dominate the industry
International: country code - 63; a series of submarine cables together provide connectivity to Asia US the Middle East and Europe; multiple international gateways (2010)

Broadcast media: multiple national private TV and radio networks; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems available; five national or major TV networks; three government-owned networks; five major cable TV networks and a government-operated national TV and radio network; about 300 analog television stations; more than 1000 radio stations (2010)

Internet
Country code: .ph
Hosts: 394,990 (2010)
Hosts rank: 53
Users: 8.278 million (2009)
Users rank: 34

Broadband fixed subscriptions


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Military expenditures: 0.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
Rank: 137

Military and security forces

Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age (officers 21-29) for compulsory and voluntary military service; applicants must be single male or female Philippine citizens (2010)

Space program

Terrorist groups


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National air transport system

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports: 254 (2010)
Rank: 25
With paved runways total: 85
With paved runways over 3047 m: 4
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 8
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 29
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 34
With paved runways under 914 m: 10 (2010)
With unpaved runways total: 169
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 4
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 66
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 99 (2010)

Heliports: 2 (2010)

Pipelines: gas 7 km; oil 107 km; refined products 181 km (2010)

Railways
Total: 995 km
Rank: 87
Narrow gauge: 995 km 1.067-m gauge (484 km are in operation) (2010)

Roadways
Total: 213,151 km
Rank: 24
Paved: 54,481 km
Unpaved: 158,670 km (2009)

Waterways: 3,219 km (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2011)
Rank: 30

Merchant marine
Total: 428
Rank: 24
By type: bulk carrier 75 cargo 135 carrier 16 chemical tanker 26 container 13 liquefied gas 5 passenger 7 passenger/cargo 68 petroleum tanker 45 refrigerated cargo 17 roll on/roll off 12 vehicle carrier 9
Foreign owned: 156 (Bermuda 43 China 4 Greece 4 Japan 82 Malaysia 1 Netherlands 18 Singapore 1 South Korea 1 Taiwan 1 UAE 1)
Registered in other countries: 7 (Cyprus 1 Panama 6) (2010)

Ports and terminals: Batangas Cagayan de Oro Cebu Davao Liman Manila


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Disputes international: Philippines claims sovereignty over Scarborough Reef (also claimed by China together with Taiwan) and over certain of the Spratly Islands known locally as the Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands also claimed by China Malaysia Taiwan and Vietnam; the 2002 'Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea' has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding 'code of conduct' desired by several of the disputants; in March 2005 the national oil companies of China the Philippines and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo based on the Sultanate of Sulu's granting the Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue a sovereignty claim on his behalf; maritime delimitation negotiations continue with Palau

Refugees and internally displaced persons
Idps: 300,000 (2007)

Illicit drugs: domestic methamphetamine production has been a growing problem in recent years despite government crackdowns; major consumer of amphetamines; longstanding marijuana producer mainly in