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. The 20-year rule of 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 which prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992 and his administration was marked by greater stability and progress on economic reforms. In 1992 the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998 but 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. The Philippine Government faces threats from three terrorist groups on the US Government's Foreign Terrorist Organization list but in 2006 and 2007 scored some major successes in capturing or killing key wanted terrorists. Decades of Muslim insurgency in the southern Philippines have led to a peace accord with one group and an ongoing cease-fire and peace talks with another.

Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N 122 00 E

Map reference: Southeast Asia

Area
Total: 300,000 km²
Land: 298,170 km²
Water: 1,830 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: 15,500 km² (2003)

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

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

Population: 96,061,680 (July 2008 est.)
Growth rate: 1.991% (2008 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: Roman Catholic 80.9% Muslim 5% Evangelical 2.8% Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3% Aglipayan 2% other Christian 4.5% other 1.8% unspecified 0.6% none 0.1% (2000 census)

Age structure
0-14 years: 35.5% (male 17,392,780/female 16,708,255)
15-64 years: 60.4% (male 28,986,232/female 29,076,329)
65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,682,485/female 2,215,602) (2008 est.)

Median age
Total: 22.3 years
Male: 21.8 years
Female: 22.8 years (2008 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.991% (2008 est.)

Birth rate: 26.42 births/1000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate: 5.15 deaths/1000 population (2008 est.)

Net migration rate: -1.36 migrant(s)/1000 population (2008 est.)

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

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.05 male/female
Under 15 years: 1.04 male/female
15-64 years: 1 male/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male/female
Total population: 1 male/female (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate
Total: 21.2 deaths/1000 live births
Male: 23.86 deaths/1000 live births
Female: 18.42 deaths/1000 live births (2008 est.)

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 70.8 years
Male: 67.89 years
Female: 73.85 years (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.32 children born/woman (2008 est.)

Hivaids
Adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2003 est.)
People living with hivaids: 9,000 (2003 est.)
Deaths: fewer than 500 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases
Degree of risk: high
Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
Vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria (2008)

Education expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2005)

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: 11 years
Female: 12 years (2006)

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
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, Shariff Kabunsuan, 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, Baybay, Bayugan, Bislig, Bogo, Borongan, Butuan, Cabadbaran, Cabanatuan, Cadiz, Cagayan de Oro, Calamba, Calapan, Calbayog, Candon, Canlaon, Carcar, Catbalogan, Cauayan, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Danao, Dapitan, Davao, Digos, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Escalante, El Salvador, Gapan, General Santos, Gingoog, Guihulngan, Himamaylan, Iligan, Iloilo, Isabela, Iriga, Kabankalan, Kalookan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, La Carlota, Lamitan, 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 (Camarines Sur), Naga (Cebu), 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, Tabuk, Tacloban, Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran, Taguig, Tagum, Talisay (in Cebu), Talisay (in Negros Occidental), Tanauan, Tandag, Tangub, Tanjay, Tarlac, Tayabas, Toledo, Tuguegarao, Trece Martires, Urdaneta, Valencia, Valenzuela, Victorias, Vigan, Zamboanga (2007)

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: based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
Chief of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001); note - president is both chief of state and head of government
Head of government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001)
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with consent of Commission of Appointments
Elections: president and vice president (Manuel 'Noli' DE CASTRO) elected on separate tickets by popular vote for a single six-year term; election last held on 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2010)
Election results: Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO elected president; percent of vote - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 40%, Fernando POE 37%, three others 23%

Legislative branch
Elections: Senate - last held on 14 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2010); House of Representatives - elections last held on 14 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2010)
Election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Lakas-Kampi 4, LP 4, NPC 3, Nacionalista 2, independents 4, others 6; 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 - Lakas 86, Kampi 46, NPC 29, LP 21, Party-list 21, others 36

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: Genuine Opposition or GO (coalition of oppositon parties formed to contest the 2007 elections); Kabalikat Ng Malayang Pilipino or Kampi [Ronaldo PUNO]; Laban Ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA]; Lakas Ng Edsa (National Union of Christian Democrats) or Lakas [Jose DE VENECIA]; Liberal Party or LP [Manuel ROXAS]; Nacionalista [Manuel VILLAR]; National People's Coalition or NPC [Frisco SAN JUAN]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL]; People's Reform Party [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO]; PROMDI [Emilio OSMENA]; Pwersa Ng Masang Pilipino (Party of the Philippine Masses) or PMP [Joseph ESTRADA]; Reporma [Renato DE VILLA]

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

Diplomatic representation
In the us chief of mission: Ambassador Willy C. GAA
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 consulates general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), Tamuning (Guam)
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Kristie A. KENNEY
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; 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; in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at the top

Economy overview: The Philippine economy grew at its fastest pace in three decades with real GDP growth exceeding 7% in 2007. Higher government spending contributed to the growth but a resilient service sector and large remittances from the millions of Filipinos who work abroad have played an increasingly important role. Economic growth has averaged 5% since President MACAPAGAL-ARROYO took office in 2001. Nevertheless the Philippines will need still higher sustained growth to make progress in alleviating poverty given its high population growth and unequal distribution of income. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO averted a fiscal crisis by pushing for new revenue measures and until recently tightening expenditures. Declining fiscal deficits tapering debt and debt service ratios as well as recent efforts to increase spending on infrastructure and social services have heightened optimism over Philippine economic prospects. Although the general macroeconomic outlook has improved significantly the Philippines continues to face important challenges and must maintain the reform momentum in order to catch up with regional competitors improve employment opportunities and alleviate poverty. Longer-term fiscal stability will require more sustainable revenue sources rather than non-recurring revenues from privatization.

Real gdp purchasing power parity: $300.1 billion (2007 est.)

Real gdp growth rate: 7.3% (2007 est.)

Real gdp per capita: $3,200 (2007 est.)

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 13.8%
Industry: 31.7%
Services: 54.5% (2007 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: 7.1% (2007 est.)

Labor force: 36.22 million (2007 est.)
By occupation agriculture: 35%
By occupation industry: 15%
By occupation services: 50% (2007 est.)

Unemployment rate: 7.3% (2007 est.)

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

Distribution of family income gini index: 45.8 (2006)

Budget
Revenues: $24.63 billion
Expenditures: $24.9 billion (2007 est.)

Public debt: 55.8% of GDP (2007 est.)

Inflation rate consumer prices: 2.8% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate: 4.28% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.69% (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit: $65.66 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares: $103.4 billion (2007)

Current account balance: $6.351 billion (2007 est.)

Exports: $49.32 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Commodities: semiconductors and electronic products transport equipment garments copper products petroleum products coconut oil fruits
Partners: US 17% Japan 14.5% Hong Kong 11.5% China 11.4% Netherlands 8.2% Singapore 6.2% Malaysia 5% Germany 4.3% (2007)

Imports: $57.56 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Commodities: electronic products mineral fuels machinery and transport equipment iron and steel textile fabrics grains chemicals plastic
Partners: US 14.1% Japan 12.3% Singapore 11.2% Taiwan 7.3% China 7.2% Saudi Arabia 6.4% South Korea 5.9% Malaysia 4.1% Thailand 4.1% (2007)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $33.75 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt external: $61.78 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment at home: $19.88 billion (2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment abroad: $5.584 billion (2007 est.)

Exchange rates: Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar - 46.148 (2007) 51.246 (2006) 55.086 (2005) 56.04 (2004) 54.203 (2003)

Electricity
Production: 56.51 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Consumption: 47.04 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.)
Imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.)

Natural gas
Production: 2.2 billion m³ (2006 est.)
Consumption: 2.2 billion m³ (2006 est.)
Exports: 0 m³ (2007 est.)
Imports: 0 m³ (2007 est.)
Proven reserves: 98.54 billion m³ (1 January 2008 est.)

Telephones
Main lines in use: 3.633 million (2006)
Mobile cellular: 51.795 million (2007)

Telephone system
General assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate
Domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations; cellular communications now dominate the industry; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone density about 60 telephones per 100 persons
International: country code - 63; a series of submarine cables together provide connectivity to Asia, US, the Middle East, and Europe; multiple international gateways (2007)

Internet
Country code: .ph
Hosts: 283,579 (2008)
Users: 5.3 million (2007)

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

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 (2007)

Airports: 255 (2007)
With paved runways total: 84
With paved runways over 3047 m: 4
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 8
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 26
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 36
With paved runways under 914 m: 10 (2007)
With unpaved runways total: 171
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 4
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 68
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 99 (2007)

Heliports: 2 (2007)

Pipelines: gas 565 km; oil 135 km; refined products 105 km (2007)

Railways
Total: 897 km
Narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (492 km are in operation) (2006)

Roadways
Total: 200,037 km
Paved: 19,804 km
Unpaved: 180,233 km (2003)

Waterways: 3,219 km (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2007)

Merchant marine
Total: 391
By type: bulk carrier 75, cargo 125, carrier 16, chemical tanker 17, container 6, liquefied gas 5, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 68, petroleum tanker 36, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 11, vehicle carrier 11
Foreign owned: 161 (Bermuda 34, China 4, Greece 4, Hong Kong 1, Japan 81, Malaysia 1, Netherlands 23, Norway 10, Singapore 1, Taiwan 1, UAE 1)
Registered in other countries: 11 (Comoros 1, Cyprus 1, Hong Kong 1, Indonesia 1, Panama 7) (2008)

Ports and terminals: Cagayan de Oro Cebu Davao Liman Manila Nasipit Harbor

Disputes international: Philippines claims sovereignty 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 (fighting between government troops and MILF and Abu Sayyaf groups) (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 rural areas where Manila's control is limited