| Local name:
Republika ng Pilipinas |
| Surface : 300,000
sq km (115,831 sq miles) - The
Philippines lie off the southeast coast of Asia between Taiwan and
Borneo in the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea. They are composed of
7107 islands and islets (7108 at low tide), 2773 of which are named.
The two largest islands, Luzon in the north and Mindanao in the south,
account for 65 per cent of the total land area and contain 60 per cent
of the country’s population. Between the two lie the Visayas Islands. |
| Population :
77,925, 894 inhabitants |
| Electricity: 220
volts (110 volts in Baguio) AC, 60Hz. 110 volts is available in most
hotels. Flat and round two- and three-pin plugs are in use |
| PASSPORTS:
Passports valid for a minimum of 6 months
beyond intended length of stay required by all. VISAS:
Required by all except the following: bona fide foreign tourists (including
business travellers) for stays of less than 21 days provided holding
passports valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond period of stay and
return or onward tickets (except nationals of Afghanistan, Albania,
Algeria, Bangladesh, Belize, Bosnia & Herzegovina, China (PR), CIS,
Croatia, Cuba, East Timor, Egypt, Estonia, Georgia, India, Iran, Iraq,
Jordan, Korea (Dem Rep), Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Macedonia
(Former Yugoslav Republic of), Nauru, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone,
Serbia & Montenegro, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syrian Arab
Republic, Tonga, Vanuatu, Yemen and holders of Palestinian passports
who do require a visa even if staying less than 7 days) |
| Climate: Tropical
climate tempered by constant sea breezes. There are three distinct
seasons: the rainy season (June to September), cool and dry (October
to February), and hot and mainly dry (March to May). Evenings are
cooler. Typhoons occasionally occur from June to September. |
| Capital :
Manila. Population: 1,581,082 |
| System :
Republic since 1987. Gained independence from
the USA in 1946 - The
constitution adopted in 1987 provides for a dual-chamber congress
comprising a 24-member Senate and a House of Representatives with a
maximum 250 members, of whom 200 are directly elected. The president,
who holds executive power, is elected for a six year term. |
| Languages : Filipino,
based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is widely spoken |
| Religions : Roman
Catholic 84 per cent; the rest are made up mostly of Muslims, other
Christian denominations, Buddhists and Taoists |
| Money : Philippine
Peso (P) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of P1000, 500,
100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of P5, 2 and 1, and
50, 25 and 10 centavos |
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