Introduction

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 WWII, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Philippines attained their independence. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand Marcos ended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion 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.. 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.

Geographical Location

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. The Philippines are slightly larger than Arizona and have a total area of 300,000 sq. km., of which 1,830 sq. km. is water and 298,170 sq. km. is land. It has 36,289 km. of coastline. It's natural resources are timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, and copper. Their environmental issues are uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef degradation; and increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds.

Climate

The climate is tropical marine with northeast monsoon (November to April) and southwest monsoon (May to October). The terrain is mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands. The Philippines sit astride the typhoon belt, and they are usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year. Landslides, active volcanoes, destructive earthquakes and tsunamis are also natural hazards there.

Population

As of July 2009 the estimated population of the Philippines is 97,976,603. The population growth rate in 2009 was 1.957%, with the birth rate at 26.01 births per 1000 and the death rate at 5.1 deaths per 1000. The average life expectancy at birth is 71.09 years.

Languages

There are two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English. There are eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan. 92.6% of age 15 and over can read and write.

Religion

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).