|
 Philippines: Facts
General:
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.
Capital:
Manila
The Philippines was less severely affected by the Asian financial crisis of 1998 than its neighbors, aided in part by annual remittances of $7-8 billion from overseas workers and no sustained runup in asset prices or foreign borrowing prior to the crisis.
Area:
- Total: 300,000 sq km
- Land: 298,170 sq km
- Water: 1,830 sq km
Climate:
- Tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October).
Population:
- 87,857,473 (July 2005 est.)
Religions:
- 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 % (2000 census).
Languages:
- Two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan.
Please see » more about PDF downloads.
|
|
|
Like to be listed
in one of our categories?
Please » contact us.
- Space for ads -
|
