The Philippines is an archipelago country located in Southeast Asia. It is composed of more than 7,000 islands and islets, with Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao as its main island groups. The country has a rich cultural heritage influenced by various cultures including Spanish, American, Chinese, and Malay.

The Philippines has a population of over 109 million people and is known for its friendly people, beautiful beaches, delicious cuisine, and rich biodiversity. The official languages are Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English, which is widely spoken and understood throughout the country.

The economy of the Philippines is largely based on agriculture, manufacturing, and services. It is one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia, with a growing middle class and a large and young workforce. Some of the country's major exports include electronics, garments, coconut oil, and fruits.

The Philippines is also known for its diverse wildlife, with many endemic species found only in the country. It is home to the Tarsier, the smallest primate in the world, and the Philippine Eagle, one of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world. The country is also a popular destination for diving and snorkeling, with its crystal-clear waters and colorful coral reefs.

The Philippines has a rich history, having been colonized by Spain for over 300 years before being occupied by the United States for nearly 50 years. It gained its independence in 1946 and has since become a democratic country with a presidential form of government.

Telephone Code
63

Local Emergency Phone
166117

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. On 8 October 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Travel Health Notice regarding a polio outbreak in the Philippines; CDC recommends that all travelers to the Philippines be vaccinated fully against polio; before traveling to the Philippines, adults who completed their routine polio vaccine series as children should receive a single, lifetime adult booster dose of polio vaccine. See WHO recommendations.

Climate
Tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)

Currency (Code)
Philippine pesos (PHP)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
220 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B, C

Major Languages
Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

Major Religions
Roman Catholic 80.6%, Protestant 8.2%, other Christians 3.4%, Muslim 5.6%, tribal religions .2%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Chocolate Hills; Underground River Tour; Batad Rice Terraces; Historic Tour of Corregidor Island (includes Pacific War Memorial, Malinta Tunnel); Pagsanjan Falls

Major Sports
Soccer, basketball, boxing, arnis (national martial art of the Philippines)

Cultural Practices
Use academic, professional, or honorific titles and a person's surname until you are invited to use their first name.

Tipping Guidelines
Do not feel pressure to leave a tip if the service is poor. Locals often round up the taxi fare.

Souvenirs
Toy jeepney figurines; pearl jewelry and mother-of-pearl tableware; handmade bags, pouches, and bandanas; woven mats and baskets, embroidered silk traditional clothing; straw fans; handmade musical instruments; coffee

Traditional Cuisine
Adobo — chicken and/or pork marinated or braised in a sauce of garlic, peppercorns, and soy sauce and then fried in oil; traditionally served over a bed of rice

Geography
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)

Natural resources
timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper

People and Society
Population
116,434,200 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Tagalog 24.4%, Bisaya/Binisaya 11.4%, Cebuano 9.9%, Ilocano 8.8%, Hiligaynon/Ilonggo 8.4%, Bikol/Bicol 6.8%, Waray 4%, other local ethnicity 26.1%, other foreign ethnicity 0.1% (2010 est.)

Languages
unspecified Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

Religions
Roman Catholic 79.5%, Muslim 6%, Iglesia ni Cristo 2.6%, Evangelical 2.4%, National Council of Churches in the Philippines 1.1%, other 7.4%, none <0.1% (2015 est.)

Population growth rate
1.58% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: Manila

Economy
Economic overview
diversified, growing East Asian economy; major semiconductor, ship-building, and electronics exporter; significant remittances; COVID-19 hit consumption and investments hard; regional tensions with China; major geothermal energy user

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$921.826 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$8,100 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
sugar cane, rice, coconuts, maize, bananas, vegetables, tropical fruit, plantains, pineapples, cassava

Industries
semiconductors and electronics assembly, business process outsourcing, food and beverage manufacturing, construction, electric/gas/water supply, chemical products, radio/television/communications equipment and apparatus, petroleum and fuel, textile and garments, non-metallic minerals, basic metal industries, transport equipment

Exports
$87.79 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
China 16%, United States 15%, Japan 13%, Hong Kong 12%, Singapore 7%, Germany 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
integrated circuits, office machinery/parts, insulated wiring, semiconductors, transformers (2019)

Imports
$126.508 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
China 29%, Japan 8%, South Korea 7%, United States 6%, Singapore 6%, Indonesia 6%, Thailand 5%, Taiwan 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
integrated circuits, refined petroleum, cars, crude petroleum, broadcasting equipment (2019)