World Facts Index > Philippines > Manila
 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.
Geography of the Philippines
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Location:
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Southeastern Asia,
archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of
Vietnam |
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Coordinates:
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13 00 N, 122 00 E |
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Area:
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total: 300,000 sq km
water: 1,830 sq km
land: 298,170 sq km |
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Area comparative:
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slightly larger than
Arizona |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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36,289 km |
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Maritime claims:
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continental shelf:
to depth of exploitation
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 |
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Climate:
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tropical marine; northeast
monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October) |
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Terrain:
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mostly mountains with
narrow to extensive coastal lowlands |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Philippine Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m |
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Natural resources:
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timber, petroleum, nickel,
cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper |
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Natural hazards:
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astride typhoon belt,
usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per
year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis |
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Environment current issues:
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uncontrolled deforestation
in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in Manila;
increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish
breeding grounds |
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Geography - note:
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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
|
More Geography
Population of the Philippines
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Population:
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96,061,680 (July 2008 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 35% (male 15,961,365/female 15,340,065)
15-64 years: 61% (male 27,173,919/female 27,362,736)
65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,576,089/female 2,054,503) |
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Median age:
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22.5 years |
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Growth rate:
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1.8% |
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Infant mortality:
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22.81 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 70.21 years
male: 67.32 years
female: 73.24 years |
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Fertility rate:
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3.11 children born/woman |
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Nationality:
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noun: Filipino(s)
adjective: Philippine |
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Ethnic groups:
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Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya
7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% |
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Religions:
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Roman Catholic 80.9%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo
2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, Muslim 5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none
0.1% |
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Languages:
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two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and
English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol,
Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read
and write
total population: 95.9%
male: 96%
female: 95.8%
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Government
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Republic of
the Philippines
local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas
local short form: Pilipinas |
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Government type:
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republic |
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Capital:
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Manila |
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Administrative divisions:
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79 provinces and 115 chartered cities |
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Independence:
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12 June 1898 (from Spain) |
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National holiday:
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Independence Day, 12 June (1898)
note: 12 June 1898 was the date of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was the
date of independence from the US |
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Constitution:
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2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987 |
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Legal system:
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based on Spanish and Anglo-American law;
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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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. |
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Legislative branch:
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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 Mga
Kinatawan (212 members representing districts plus 24 sectoral party-list members; members
elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - the Constitution prohibits the
House of Representatives from having more than 250 members) |
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Judicial branch:
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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) |
Economy
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.
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GDP:
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$300.1 billion (2007 est.) |
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GDP growth rate:
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5.1% |
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GDP per capita:
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$3,200 |
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GDP composition by sector:
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agriculture: 14.4%
industry: 32.6%
services: 53% |
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Inflation rate:
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7.6% |
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Labor force:
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36.73 million |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture: 36%
industry: 16%
services: 48% |
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Unemployment:
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8.7% |
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Budget:
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revenues: $12.38 billion
expenditures: $15.77 billion |
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Electricity production by source:
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fossil fuel: 55.6%
hydro: 17.5%
other: 26.9%
nuclear: 0% |
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Industries:
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electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals,
chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing |
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Agriculture:
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sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassavas,
pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish |
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Exports:
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electronic equipment, machinery and
transport equipment, garments, coconut products, chemicals |
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Export partners:
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China 19.5%, US 16.1%, Japan 13.6%, Hong Kong 8.1%,
Singapore 7.3%, Netherlands 5.5%, Taiwan 4.6%, Malaysia 4.4% |
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Imports:
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raw materials, machinery and equipment,
fuels, chemicals |
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Import partners:
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Japan 17.7%, US 14.1%, China 9%, Singapore 8.3%, Taiwan
7.3%, South Korea 5.7%, Hong Kong 5%, Malaysia 4.1%, Thailand 4.1% |
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Currency:
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Philippine peso (PHP) |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
Copyright 2004 - 2008 worldfacts.us |