13 00 N, 122 00 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 300,000 sq km land: 298,170 sq km water: 1,830 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Arizona

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

36,289 km

Maritime claims:

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 continental shelf: to depth of exploitation

Climate:

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

Terrain:

mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m

Natural resources:

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

Land use:

arable land: 19% permanent crops: 16.67% other: 64.33% (2005)

Irrigated land:

15,500 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

479 cu km (1999)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 28.52 cu km/yr (17%/9%/74%) per capita: 343 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis

Environment - current issues:

uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Geography - note:

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

People
Philippines

Population:

96,061,680 (July 2008 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 35.5% (male 17,392,780/female 16,708,255) 15-64 years: 60.4% (male 28,986,232/female 29,076,329) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,682,485/female 2,215,602) (2008 est.)

Median age:

total: 22.3 years male: 21.8 years female: 22.8 years (2008 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.991% (2008 est.)

Birth rate:

26.42 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate:

5.15 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Net migration rate:

-1.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 21.2 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 70.8 years male: 67.89 years female: 73.85 years (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.32 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

9,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

fewer than 500 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria (2008)

Nationality:

noun: Filipino(s) adjective: Philippine

Ethnic groups:

Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000 census)

Religions:

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)

Languages:

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

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.6% male: 92.5% female: 92.7% (2000 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2006)

Education expenditures:

2.5% of GDP (2005)

Government
Philippines

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines conventional short form: Philippines local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas local short form: Pilipinas

Government type:

republic

Capital:

name: Manila geographic coordinates: 14 35 N, 121 00 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

81 provinces and 136 chartered cities
provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay,
Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas,
Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines
Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu,
Compostela, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dinagat
Islands, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur,
Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La
Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental,
Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain
Province, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato,
Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga,
Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani,
Shariff Kabunsuan, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern
Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur,
Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur,
Zamboanga Sibugay
chartered cities: Alaminos, Angeles, Antipolo, Bacolod, Bago,
Baguio, Bais, Balanga, Batac, Batangas, Bayawan, Baybay, Bayugan,
Bislig, Bogo, Borongan, Butuan, Cabadbaran, Cabanatuan, Cadiz,
Cagayan de Oro, Calamba, Calapan, Calbayog, Candon, Canlaon, Carcar,
Catbalogan, Cauayan, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Danao,
Dapitan, Davao, Digos, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Escalante, El Salvador,
Gapan, General Santos, Gingoog, Guihulngan, Himamaylan, Iligan,
Iloilo, Isabela, Iriga, Kabankalan, Kalookan, Kidapawan, Koronadal,
La Carlota, Lamitan, Laoag, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Legazpi, Ligao,
Lipa, Lucena, Maasin, Makati, Malabon, Malaybalay, Malolos,
Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marawi, Marikina, Masbate, Mati,
Meycauayan, Muntinlupa, Munoz, Naga (Camarines Sur), Naga (Cebu),
Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Oroquieta, Ozamis, Pagadian, Palayan,
Panabo, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Passi, Puerto Princesa, Quezon,
Roxas, Sagay, Samal, San Carlos (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos
(in Pangasinan), San Fernando (in La Union), San Fernando (in
Pampanga), San Jose, San Jose del Monte, San Juan, San Pablo, Santa
Rosa, Santiago, Silay, Sipalay, Sorsogon, Surigao, Tabaco, Tabuk,
Tacloban, Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran, Taguig, Tagum, Talisay (in
Cebu), Talisay (in Negros Occidental), Tanauan, Tandag, Tangub,
Tanjay, Tarlac, Tayabas, Toledo, Tuguegarao, Trece Martires,
Urdaneta, Valencia, Valenzuela, Victorias, Vigan, Zamboanga (2007)

Independence:

12 June 1898 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from the US)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 was date of declaration of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from US

Constitution:

2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987

Legal system:

based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

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 (next to be held in May 2010) election results: Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO elected president; percent of vote - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 40%, Fernando POE 37%, three others 23%

Legislative branch:

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 (as a result of May 2007 election it has 239 seats including 218 members representing districts and 21 sectoral party-list members representing special minorities elected on the basis of 1 seat for every 2% of the total vote but limited to 3 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - the Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more than 250 members) elections: Senate - last held on 14 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2010); House of Representatives - elections last held on 14 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Lakas-Kampi 4, LP 4, NPC 3, Nacionalista 2, independents 4, others 6; note - there are 23 rather than 24 sitting senators because one senator was elected mayor of Manila; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Lakas 86, Kampi 46, NPC 29, LP 21, Party-list 21, others 36

Judicial branch:

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)

Political parties and leaders:

Genuine Opposition or GO (coalition of oppositon parties formed to
contest the 2007 elections); Kabalikat Ng Malayang Pilipino or Kampi
[Ronaldo PUNO]; Laban Ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of
Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA]; Lakas Ng Edsa (National
Union of Christian Democrats) or Lakas [Jose DE VENECIA]; Liberal
Party or LP [Manuel ROXAS]; Nacionalista [Manuel VILLAR]; National
People's Coalition or NPC [Frisco SAN JUAN]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino
PIMENTEL]; People's Reform Party [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO]; PROMDI
[Emilio OSMENA]; Pwersa Ng Masang Pilipino (Party of the Philippine
Masses) or PMP [Joseph ESTRADA]; Reporma [Renato DE VILLA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

AKBAYAN [Etta ROSALES, Mario AGUJA, and Risa HONTIVEROS-BARAQUIEL];
ALAGAD [Rodante MARROLITA]; ALIF [Acmad TOMAWIS]; An Waray [Horencio
NOEL]; Anak Mindanao [Mujiv HATAMIN]; ANAKPAWIS [Crispin BELTRAN and
Rafael MARIANO]; Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives
(APEC) [Sunny Rose MADAMBA, Ernesto PABLO, and Edgar VALDEZ]; AVE
[Eulogio MAGSAYSAY]; Bayan Muna [Satur OCAMPO, Joel VIRADOR, and
Teodoro CASINO, Jr.]; BUHAY [Rene VELARDE and Hans Christian
SENERES]; BUTIL [Benjamin CRUZ]; CIBAC [Emmanuel Joel VILLANUEVA];
COOP-NATCO [Guillermo CUA]; GABRIELA [Liza MAZA]; Partido Ng
Manggagawa [Renato MAGTUBO]; Veterans Federation of the Philippines
[Ernesto GIDAYA]

International organization participation:

ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CP, EAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,
ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC,
MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PIF (partner), UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT,
UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Willy C. GAA chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: (202) 467-9300 FAX: (202) 467-9417 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), Tamuning (Guam)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Kristie A. KENNEY embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita 1000, Manila mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000 telephone: (2) 301-2000 FAX: (2) 301-2399

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top; representing peace and justice) and red (representing courage); a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side represents equality; the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays, each representing one of the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain; each corner of the triangle contains a small, yellow, five-pointed star representing the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897; in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at the top

Economy
Philippines

Economy - overview:

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.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$300.1 billion (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):

$144.1 billion (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

7.3% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$3,200 (2007 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 13.8% industry: 31.7% services: 54.5% (2007 est.)

Labor force:

36.22 million (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 35% industry: 15% services: 50% (2007 est.)

Unemployment rate:

7.3% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line:

30% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 31.2% (2006)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

45.8 (2006)

Investment (gross fixed):

14.8% of GDP (2007 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $24.63 billion expenditures: $24.9 billion (2007 est.)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Public debt:

55.8% of GDP (2007 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.8% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

4.28% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

8.69% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$21.27 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$65.85 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$65.66 billion (31 December 2007)

Agriculture - products:

sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassavas, pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish

Industries:

electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing

Industrial production growth rate:

7.1% (2007 est.)

Electricity - production:

56.51 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - consumption:

47.04 billion kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production by source:

fossil fuel: 55.6% hydro: 17.5% nuclear: 0% other: 26.9% (2001)

Oil - production:

23,930 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - consumption:

340,100 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - exports:

41,160 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports:

355,800 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - proved reserves:

138.5 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.)

Natural gas - production:

2.2 billion cu m (2006 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

2.2 billion cu m (2006 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

98.54 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.)

Current account balance:

$6.351 billion (2007 est.)

Exports:

$49.32 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits

Exports - partners:

US 17%, Japan 14.5%, Hong Kong 11.5%, China 11.4%, Netherlands 8.2%,
Singapore 6.2%, Malaysia 5%, Germany 4.3% (2007)

Imports:

$57.56 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

electronic products, mineral fuels, machinery and transport equipment, iron and steel, textile fabrics, grains, chemicals, plastic

Imports - partners:

US 14.1%, Japan 12.3%, Singapore 11.2%, Taiwan 7.3%, China 7.2%, Saudi Arabia 6.4%, South Korea 5.9%, Malaysia 4.1%, Thailand 4.1% (2007)

Economic aid - recipient:

ODA, $451.4 million in commitments (2006)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$33.75 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$61.78 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$19.88 billion (2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$5.584 billion (2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$103.4 billion (2007)

Currency (code):

Philippine peso (PHP)

Currency code: