Official Name: Republika ng Pilipinas (Pilipino); Republic of the Philippines (English)

Area: Asia

Size: 300,000 km²

Coastline: 36,289 km

Independence: from Spain June 12, 1898 

Form of Govt.: Unitary republic

Head of Govt.: President

Capital: Manila

Largest City: Quezon City

Demographics (2005): 85,236,913.    276 /km²

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

GDP per Capita (2005): $4,923

Languages: Filipino and English

Geography: The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,100 islands and islets located along the southeast rim of Asia. It is bound by the Philippines Sea to the east, the South China and Sulu Seas to the west and the Celebes Sea to the south. The country's major islands include Luzon, Mindanao, Samar, Palawan, Mindoro, Panay, Negros, Cebu, Leyte, Masbate and Bohol. Except for the two large islands of Luzon and Mindanao, the other islands are crests of submerged mountain ranges that contain over 47 volcanoes, of which around 12 are still active. The Luzon and Mindanao islands are a series of peninsulas connected together by plateaus and lowland strips while most of the rivers are short and seasonal in flow. The principal rivers are the Rio Grande de Cagayan, Agno, Abra, Bicol, Pampanga, Pasig and Agusan.

Climate: The Philippines has a tropical climate with a dry season from April to June and a rainy season from June to October with the hottest months being April and May. The Philippines lies within the world's severest cyclone belt and is effected by around 15 cyclones per year. Average annual precipitation in Manila is 2,080 mm while average temperature ranges are from 21 degrees to 34 degrees all year.