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About Philippines
The Country
The Philippines, in southeastern Asia, consists of 7,107 islands lying between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The islands of Luzon and Mindanao account for two-thirds of the land area. Even though the Philippines lies just north of the world's largest Muslim state, Indonesia, it is about 94 percent Christian—mostly Roman Catholic. About five percent of Filipinos are Muslim, mostly living on the islands of Mindanao and Palawan—islands closest to the Muslim countries of Malaysia and Indonesia.
In 1521 Ferdinand Magellan claimed the Philippines for Spain, which ceded the islands to the U.S. in 1898. Independence came in 1946, after Japanese occupation ended. Widespread poverty and political corruption sparked social unrest starting in the 1970s. In 1986 President Ferdinand Marcos was compelled to hold an election. Despite his fraudulent claim to victory, Marcos was forced into exile, and Corazon Aquino, widow of a murdered opposition leader, became president. The government continues to make progress in negotiations with Muslim rebels with a cease-fire in 2003, and it works to provide political representation and economic development to the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.
Population
There are a total of 76.5 million Filipinos as of the latest national census in May, 2000. Population growth is estimated at 2.36 percent annually. Luzon, the largest island group, accounts for more than half of the entire population.
ECONOMY
Industry: textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products.
Agriculture: rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane; pork; fish.
Exports: electronic equipment, machinery and transport equipment, garments, coconut products.
| Per Capita GNP : |
1,030 US$ |
| GDP Growth : |
3.2 % |
| Export (one year) : |
36,000,000,000 US$ |
THE POLITICAL SITUATION
in the Philippines was a bit worried after the election of the new president Gloria Arroyo Macapagal in January 2001, who replaced the former president Joseph Estrada. There have also been trouble with rebel groups on the islands close to Malaysia (the Mindanao-area). It is important to know that the demonstrations and reported on the news took place in Manila, and that the troubled region in the south is located an hours flight away from Malapascua. The countryside in the Visayas is as peaceful as ever. The Philippines is still a safe place for tourists, if you avoid the troubled regions in the south, near Malaysia. The situation is similar to the one in India, where the state of Kashmir is the subject of battles between the state and rebels. And still, India is considered to be a safe place to travel, as long as one avoids Kashmir; both India and the Philippines are very large countries.
THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
are English and Pilipino (also known as Tagalog), but there are over 100 diffrent languages around the country. Catholicism is the dominating religion, practiced by about 90% of the population, and it has been coloured by the local traditions and myths, much like it has been in the Carribean. In the south, around Mindanao, Islam is the largest religion, and one can notice it in the handicrafts, which is richly ornamented in muslim tradition. During Easter the largest religious festival takes place, and thousands of enthustiastic devotees gather in the cities all over the country. It's good to know that on the major holidays, such as Christmas Day and Easter, local traffic (including domestic flights) may not be available.
Food
Filipino food has been influenced by Spanish and Chinese cuisine.
Rice is the staple food and eaten with most meals. Noodle dishes are also very popular.
Filipino cuisine is unusual as meat (pork and poultry) and seafood may be combined in a single dish. Recipes often use ingredients such as coconut milk, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, tamarind and vinegar.
Desserts include rice cakes, leche flan and sweets dishes made from fresh fruit (guavas, mangoes, papayas and pineapples). Ice cream is used in desserts or eaten on its own.
Fruit juices are available and green lemons are used to make drinks. Beer and rum are produced locally.
CLIMATE
March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy, November to February is cool. Average temperatures: 78°F / 25°C to 90°F / 32°C; humidity is 77%.
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