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Philippines, See : Flags, Maps

A History of the Philippines, David P. Barrows

Philippine Mats, Hugo H. Miller and John F. Minier and U. S. Andes and Theodore Muller and Alice Brezina

The American Occupation of the Philippines 1898-1912, James H. Blount

The Inhabitants of the Philippines, Frederic H. Sawyer

The Philippines Past and Present (Volume : 1 , 2),

Philippines (East & Southeast Asia)

Introduction ::Philippines



Geography ::Philippines


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

Geographic coordinates:
13 00 N, 122 00 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia


total: 300,000 sq km country comparison to the world: 72 land: 298,170 sq km

water: 1,830 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Arizona

Land boundaries:

0 km


36,289 km

Maritime claims:


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: to depth of exploitation




mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m

Natural resources:


Land use:

arable land: 19%

permanent crops: 16.67%

other: 64.33% (2005)

Irrigated land:

15,500 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

479 cu km (1999)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):


per capita: 343 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:


volcanism: the Philippines experience significant volcanic activity; Taal (elev. 311 m, 1,020 ft), 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, 8,077 ft), 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

Environment - current issues:


Environment - international agreements:


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Geography - note:


People ::Philippines


99,900,177 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12

Age structure:



65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,744,248/female 2,297,381) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 22.7 years

male: 22.2 years

female: 23.2 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.931% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63

Birth rate:

25.68 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58

Death rate:

5.06 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 183

Net migration rate:

-1.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166


urban population: 65% of total population (2008)


Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/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 (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 19.94 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 101 male: 22.49 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 17.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 71.38 years country comparison to the world: 131 male: 68.45 years

female: 74.45 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.23 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

8,300 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high


vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis

water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)


noun: Filipino(s)

adjective: Philippine

Ethnic groups:







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)

Education expenditures:

2.6% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 162

Government ::Philippines

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:



name: Manila

geographic coordinates: 14 35 N, 121 00 E


Administrative divisions:

80 provinces and 120 chartered cities

Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain
Province, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato,
Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay

Victorias, Vigan, Zamboanga (2009)



National holiday:



2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987

Legal system:



18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:



cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with consent of Commission of Appointments (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) 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


Legislative branch:




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 - Lakas-Kampi CMD 38.4%, LP 20.3%, NPC 15.4%, NP 11.5%, independents 7.1%, others 7.3%; seats by party - Lakas-Kampi CMD 104, LP 45, NPC 31, NP 26, others 17, independents 7, party-list 56

Judicial branch:


Political parties and leaders:

Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or
Lakas-CMD [Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO]; Liberal Party or LP [Manuel
ESTRADA]; United Opposition or UNO [Jejomar BINAY]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

ABONO [Robert ESTRELLA]; AKBAYAN [Anna Theresia BARAQUIEL]; An Waray
[Raymon PALATINO]; Kilosbayan [Jovito SALONGA]; YACAP [Carol LOPEZ]

International organization participation:


Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Willy C. GAA

chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300
FAX: [1] (202) 467-9417


Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Harry K. THOMAS Jr.

embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita 1000, Manila

mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000

telephone: [63] (2) 301-2000
FAX: [63] (2) 301-2399

Flag description:



National anthem:

name: "Lupang Hinirang" (Chosen Land)



Economy ::Philippines

Economy - overview:

Philippine GDP grew nearly 7% in 2010. The economy weathered the 2008-09 global recession better than its regional peers due to minimal exposure to securities issued by troubled global financial institutions; lower dependence on exports; relatively resilient domestic consumption, supported by large remittances from four-to five-million overseas Filipino workers; and a growing business process outsourcing industry. Economic growth in the Philippines has averaged 4.5% per year since 2001, when former President MACAPAGAL-ARROYO took office. Despite this growth, poverty worsened during the term of MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, because of a high population growth rate and inequitable distribution of income. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO averted a fiscal crisis by pushing for new revenue measures and, until recently, tightening expenditures to address the government's yawning budget deficit and to reduce high debt and debt service ratios. But the government abandoned its 2008 balanced-budget goal in order to help the economy weather the global financial and economic storm. The economy under AQUINO faces budget shortfalls in the near term, but has had little difficulty issuing debt both locally and internationally to finance the deficits. AQUINO's first budget emphasizes education and other social spending programs, relying on the private sector to finance important infrastructure projects. Weak tax collection in recent years limits the government's ability to address major challenges.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$351.2 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 $329.2 billion (2009 est.)

$325.6 billion (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$189.1 billion (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 1.1% (2009 est.)

3.7% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$3,500 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $3,400 (2009 est.)

$3,400 (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 13.7%

industry: 31.7%

services: 54.6% (2010 est.)

Labor force:

38.91 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 34%

industry: 15%

services: 51% (2009 est.)

Unemployment rate:

7.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 7.5% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line:

32.9% (2006 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) country comparison to the world: 37 46.6 (2003)

Investment (gross fixed):

14.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Public debt:

55.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 57.3% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 3.2% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

3.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 76 6% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

8.57% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 8.75% (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money:

$30.09 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 55 $24.06 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Stock of broad money:

$91.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $78.16 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit:

$95.54 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $83.12 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$80.13 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 41 $85.63 billion (31 December 2008)

$172.5 billion (31 December 2007)

Agriculture - products:




Industrial production growth rate:

11.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

Electricity - production:

56.57 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 45

Electricity - consumption:

48.96 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 46

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

25,290 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 73

Oil - consumption:

313,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 41

Oil - exports:

36,720 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Oil - imports:

342,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 30

Oil - proved reserves:

138.5 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Natural gas - production:

2.94 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Natural gas - consumption:

2.94 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Natural gas - proved reserves:

98.54 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52

Current account balance:

$8.575 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $8.552 billion (2009 est.)


$45.89 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $37.51 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities:


Exports - partners:

US 17.6%, Japan 16.2%, Netherlands 9.8%, Hong Kong 8.6%, China 7.7%,
Germany 6.5%, Singapore 6.2% (2009)


$57.24 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $46.39 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities:


Imports - partners:

Japan 12.5%, US 12%, China 8.8%, Singapore 8.7%, South Korea 7.9% (2009)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$49.74 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $44.24 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt - external:

$61.85 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $62.97 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$24.94 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $22.44 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$6.591 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $6.191 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates:

Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar - 45.459 (2010), 47.68 (2009), 44.439 (2008), 46.148 (2007), 51.246 (2006)

Communications ::Philippines

Telephones - main lines in use:

4.1 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 37

Telephones - mobile cellular:

74.489 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 15

Telephone system:


domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations; mobile-cellular communications now dominate the industry; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 80 telephones per 100 persons


Broadcast media:

multiple national private TV and radio networks and a government-operated national TV and radio network; about 300 television stations and more than 1,000 radio stations; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems are available (2008)

Internet country code:


Internet hosts:

394,990 (2010) country comparison to the world: 53

Internet users:

8.278 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 34

Transportation ::Philippines


254 (2010) country comparison to the world: 25

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 85

over 3,047 m: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 8

1,524 to 2,437 m: 29

914 to 1,523 m: 34

under 914 m: 10 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 169

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 66

under 914 m: 99 (2010)


2 (2010)


oil 107 km; refined products 112 km (2009)


total: 897 km country comparison to the world: 95 narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (492 km are in operation) (2008)


total: 201,910 km country comparison to the world: 24 paved: 21,677 km

unpaved: 180,233 km (2008)


3,219 km; (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2011) country comparison to the world: 31

Merchant marine:

total: 428 country comparison to the world: 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:


Transportation - note:


Military ::Philippines

Military branches:

Corps and Coast Guard), Air Force (2010)

Military service age and obligation:


Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 25,079,262

females age 16-49: 24,556,912 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 19,650,825

females age 16-49: 21,029,243 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 1,039,679

female: 1,001,448 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:

0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Transnational Issues ::Philippines

Disputes - international:


Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 300,000 (fighting between government troops and MILF and Abu
Sayyaf groups) (2007)

Illicit drugs:



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