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 some of which are 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 ongoing 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 territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea.

Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N 122 00 E

Area
Rank: 73
Land: 298,170 km²
Water: 1830 km²

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 36,289 km

Maritime claims
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 highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m

Natural resources: timber petroleum nickel cobalt silver gold salt copper

Land use
Permanent crops: 17.33%
Other: 64.67% (2011)

Irrigated land: 18,790 km² (2006)

Total renewable water resources: 479 km³ (2011)

Natural hazards: astride typhoon belt usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms each year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis
Volcanism: 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

Population: 107,668,231 (July 2014 est.)
Rank: 13
Growth rate: 1.81% (2014 est.)
Growth rate rank: 67
Below poverty line: 26.5% (2009 est.)

Nationality
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)

Age structure
15-24 years: 19% (male 10,416,358/female 10,044,724)
25-54 years: 37% (male 20,031,638/female 19,796,545)
55-64 years: 5.8% (male 2,882,719/female 3,372,485)
65 years and over: 4.4% (male 2,103,596/female 2,773,139) (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios
Youth dependency ratio: 54.3 %
Elderly dependency ratio: 6.4 %
Potential support ratio: 15.6 (2014 est.)

Median age
Male: 23 years
Female: 24 years (2014 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.81% (2014 est.)
Rank: 67

Birth rate: 24.24 births/1000 population (2014 est.)
Rank: 61

Death rate: 4.92 deaths/1000 population (2014 est.)
Rank: 192

Net migration rate: -1.23 migrant(s)/1000 population (2014 est.)
Rank: 155

Urbanization
Rate of urbanization: 2.16% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major urban areas
Population: MANILA (capital) 11.862 million; Davao 1.565 million; Cebu City 855,000; Zamboanga 884,000 (2011)

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 signed but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Sex ratio
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
Total population: 1 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Mothers mean age at first birth: 23.1

Infant mortality rate
Rank: 99
Male: 19.99 deaths/1000 live births
Female: 15.17 deaths/1000 live births (2014 est.)

Life expectancy at birth
Rank: 134
Male: 69.52 years
Female: 75.59 years (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.06 children born/woman (2014 est.)
Rank: 53

Contraceptive prevalence rate: 48.9% (2011)

Drinking water source:

Physicians density: 1.15 physicians/1000 population (2004)

Hospital bed density: 1 beds/1000 population (2011)

Sanitation facility access:

Hivaids
Adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2012 est.)
Adult prevalence rate rank: 167
People living with hivaids: 14,800 (2012 est.)
People living with hivaids rank: 91
Deaths: 300 (2012 est.)
Deaths rank: 106

Major infectious diseases
Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea hepatitis A and typhoid fever
Vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Water contact disease: leptospirosis (2013)

Obesity adult prevalence rate: 6.3% (2008)
Rank: 148

Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 20.2% (2011)
Rank: 31

Education expenditures: 2.7% of GDP (2009)
Rank: 149

Literacy
Total population: 95.4%
Male: 95%
Female: 95.8% (2008 est.)

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education
Male: 11 years
Female: 12 years (2009)

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

Government type: republic

Capital
Geographic coordinates: 14 36 N 120 58 E
Time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions: 80 provinces and 39 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: Angeles Antipolo Bacolod Baguio Butuan Cagayan de Oro Caloocan Cebu Cotabato Dagupan Davao General Santos Iligan Iloilo Lapu-Lapu Las Pinas Lucena Makati Malabon Mandaluyong Mandaue Manila Marikina Muntinlupa Naga Navotas Olongapo Ormoc Paranaque Pasay Pasig Puerto Princesa Quezon San Juan Santiago Tacloban Taguig Valenzuela Zamboanga (2012)

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 the US

Constitution: several previous; latest ratified 2 February 1987 effective 11 February 1987 (2013)

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

International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
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 last held on 10 May 2010 (next 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 (287 seats - 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
Elections: Senate - elections last held on 13 May 2013 (next to be held in May 2016); House of Representatives - elections last held on 13 May 2013 (next to be held in May 2016)
Election results: Senate - percent of vote by party for 2013 election - UNA 26.94% NP 15.3% LP 11.32% NPC 10.15% LDP 5.38% PDP-Laban 4.95% others 9.72% independents 16.24%; seats by party after 2013 election - UNA 5 NP 5 LP 4 Lakas 2 NPC 2 LDP 1 PDP-Laban 1 PRP 1 independents 3; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - LP 38.3% NPC 17.4% UNA 11.4% NUP 8.7% NP 8.5% Lakas 5.3% independents 6.0% others 4.4%; seats by party - LP 110 NPC 43 NUP 24 NP 17 Lakas 14 UNA 8 independents 6 others 12; party-list 57

Judicial branch
Judge selection and term of office: justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council a constitutionally-created 6-member body that recommends Supreme Court nominees; justices serve until age 70
Subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; Sandiganbayan (special court for corruption cases of government officials); Court of Tax Appeals; regional metropolitan and municipal trial courts; sharia courts

Political parties and leaders:

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

Diplomatic representation
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 San Francisco Tamuning (Guam)
From the us embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard Manila 1000
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) 301-2017

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

National symbols: Philippine eagle

National anthem
Lyrics and music: Jose PALMA (revised by Felipe PADILLA de Leon)/Julian FELIPE

Economy overview: The economy has weathered global economic and financial downturns 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 rapidly expanding business process outsourcing industry. The current account balance had recorded consecutive surpluses since 2003; international reserves are at record highs; the banking system is stable; and the stock market was Asia's second best-performer in 2012. Efforts to improve tax administration and expenditure management have helped ease the Philippines' tight fiscal situation and reduce high debt levels. The Philippines has received several credit rating upgrades on its sovereign debt and has had little difficulty tapping domestic and international markets to finance its deficits. Economic growth in the Philippines averaged 4.5% during the MACAPAGAL-ARROYO administration but poverty worsened during her term. Growth has accelerated under the AQUINO government but with limited progress thus far in bringing down unemployment which hovers around 7% and improving the quality of jobs. Underemployment is nearly 20% and more than 40% of the employed are estimated to be working in the informal sector. The AQUINO administration has been working to boost the budgets for education health cash transfers to the poor and other social spending programs and is relying on the private sector to help fund major infrastructure projects under its Public-Private Partnership program. Long term challenges include reforming governance and the judicial system building infrastructure improving regulatory predictability and the ease of doing business attracting higher levels of local and foreign investments. The Philippine Constitution and the other laws continue to restrict foreign ownership in important activities/sectors (such as land ownership and public utilities).

Real gdp purchasing power parity:
Rank: 32

Real gdp growth rate:
Rank: 27

Real gdp per capita:
Rank: 165

Gross national saving:
Rank: 63

Gdp composition by end use
Government consumption: 11.5%
Investment in fixed capital: 20.2%
Investment in inventories: -0.2%
Exports of goods and services: 28.3%
Imports of goods and services: -32.4%: (2013 est.)

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Industry: 31.6%
Services: 57.2% (2013 est.)

Agriculture products: sugarcane coconuts rice corn bananas cassava (manioc tapioca) pineapples mangoes; pork eggs beef; fish

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

Industrial production growth rate: 9% (2013 est.)
Rank: 19

Labor force: 41.33 million (2013 est.)
Rank: 16
By occupation industry: 15%
By occupation services: 53% (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate: 7% (2012 est.)
Rank: 81

Population below poverty line: 26.5% (2009 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share
Highest 10: 33.6% (2009 est.)

Distribution of family income gini index: 46.6 (2003)
Rank: 42

Budget
Expenditures: $43.89 billion (2013 est.)
Surplus or deficit: -1.8% of GDP (2013 est.)
Surplus or deficit rank: 81

Taxes and other revenues: 14.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
Rank: 196

Public debt: 51.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
Rank: 68

Fiscal year: calendar year

Inflation rate consumer prices: 3.2% (2012 est.)
Rank: 110

Central bank discount rate: 5.6% (31 December 2011 est.)
Rank: 63

Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.68% (31 December 2012 est.)
Rank: 138

Stock of narrow money: $39.01 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Rank: 50

Stock of broad money: $121.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Rank: 49

Stock of domestic credit: $129.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Rank: 47

Market value of publicly traded shares:
Rank: 30

Current account balance: $7.126 billion (2012 est.)
Rank: 25

Exports: $46.28 billion (2012 est.)
Rank: 58
Commodities: semiconductors and electronic products transport equipment garments copper products petroleum products coconut oil fruits
Partners: Japan 19% US 14.2% China 11.8% Singapore 9.3% Hong Kong 9.2% South Korea 5.5% Thailand 4.7% (2012)

Imports: $61.49 billion (2012 est.)
Rank: 47
Commodities: electronic products mineral fuels machinery and transport equipment iron and steel textile fabrics grains chemicals plastic
Partners: US 11.5% China 10.8% Japan 10.4% South Korea 7.3% Singapore 7.1% Thailand 5.6% Saudi Arabia 5.6% Indonesia 4.4% Malaysia 4% (2012)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $83.83 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Rank: 26

Debt external: $N/A (31 December 2012 est.)
Rank: 54

Stock of direct foreign investment at home: $30.38 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Rank: 61

Stock of direct foreign investment abroad: $8.435 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Rank: 54

Exchange rates:

Electricity
Production: 67.45 billion kWh (2011 est.)
Production rank: 42
Consumption: 56.84 billion kWh (2010 est.)
Consumption rank: 42
Exports: 0 kWh (2012 est.)
Exports rank: 186
Imports: 0 kWh (2012 est.)
Imports rank: 190
Installed generating capacity: 16.36 million kW (2010 est.)
Installed generating capacity rank: 44
Generation sources fossil fuels: 66.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Generation sources fossil fuels rank: 114
Generation sources nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Generation sources nuclear rank: 168
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 20.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity rank: 89
Generation sources other renewable sources: 12.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Generation sources other renewable sources rank: 22

Petroleum
Petroleum total petroleum production: 25,240 bbl/day (2012 est.)
Petroleum total petroleum production rank: 73
Crude oil exports: 20,090 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Crude oil exports rank: 55
Crude oil imports: 182,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Crude oil imports rank: 34
Crude oil proven reserves: 138.5 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
Crude oil proven reserves rank: 67

Refined petroleum
Products production: 181,300 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Products production rank: 56
Products consumption: 315,600 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Products consumption rank: 42
Products exports: 17,810 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Products exports rank: 73
Products imports: 147,900 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Products imports rank: 39

Natural gas
Production: 3.91 billion m³ (2012 est.)
Production rank: 54
Consumption: 2.86 billion m³ (2010 est.)
Consumption rank: 74
Exports: 0 m³ (2011 est.)
Exports rank: 171
Imports: 0 m³ (2011 est.)
Imports rank: 120
Proven reserves: 98.54 billion m³ (1 January 2013 est.)
Proven reserves rank: 54

Carbon dioxide emissions
From consumption of energy: 81.15 million Mt (2011 est.)

Telephones
Main lines in use: 3.939 million (2012)
Main lines in use rank: 43
Mobile cellular: 103 million (2012)
Mobile cellular rank: 12

Telephone system
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 (2011)

Broadcast media: multiple national private TV and radio networks; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems available; more than 350 TV stations - 4 major TV networks operating nationwide with 1 being government-owned; some 1100 cable TV providers and some 1200 radio stations broadcasting; the Philippines is scheduled to complete the switch from analog to digital broadcasting by the end of 2015 (2012)

Internet
Country code: .ph
Hosts: 425,812 (2012)
Hosts rank: 52
Users: 8.278 million (2009)
Users rank: 34

Military expenditures:
Rank: 86

Military service age and obligation: 17-23 years of age (officers 20-24) for voluntary military service; no conscription; applicants must be single male or female Philippine citizens with either 72 college credit hours (enlisted) or a baccalaureate degree (officers) (2013)

Airports: 247 (2013)
Rank: 24
With paved runways over 3047 m: 4
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 8
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 33
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 34
With paved runways under 914 m: 10 (2013)
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 3
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 56
With unpaved runways: 99 (2013)

Heliports: 2 (2013)

Pipelines: gas 567 km; oil 138 km; refined products 185 km (2013)

Railways
Rank: 88
Narrow gauge: 995 km 1.067-m gauge (484 km are in operation) (2010)

Roadways
Rank: 23
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: 31

Merchant marine
Rank: 23
By type: bulk carrier 76 cargo 152 carrier 12 chemical tanker 27 container 17 liquefied gas 5 passenger 7 passenger/cargo 65 petroleum tanker 44 refrigerated cargo 20 roll on/roll off 11 vehicle carrier 10
Foreign owned: 159 (Bermuda 47 China 4 Denmark 2 Germany 2 Greece 5 Japan 77 Malaysia 1 Netherlands 17 Singapore 1 South Korea 1 Taiwan 1 UAE 1)
Registered in other countries: 7 (Cyprus 1 Panama 5 unknown 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals
Container port: Manila (3,342,200)

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
Stateless persons: at least 115,772 (2014)

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