FAST FACTS
Area: 300,000 sq km
Population: 70,267,000
Capital (population): Manila (7,832,000)
Government: Multiparty republic
Ethnic groups: Tagalog 30%
Cebuano 24%
Ilocano 10%
Hiligaynon Ilongo 9%
Bicol 6%
Samar-Leyte 45
Languages: Tagalog and English (both official)
Religions: Christian (Roman Catholic 84%)
Christian (Philippine Independent Church 6%)
Christian (Protestant 4%)
Islam 4%
Currency: Peso = 100 centavos
GDP per capita: US$ 1,055

The Philippines is one of the most complex nations in Asia, both in terms of its history, culture, racial diversity and its economy. It is a country made up of about 1,000 islands, with a tropical climate, the largest being Luzon and Mindanao.

The country was formerly has very close links with Spanish America, and hence Spanish is still widely spoken, and about 90% of Filipinos are Roman Catholics. However, the large number of islands harbour a wide variety of races and cultures, there also being a substantial Muslim community in the southern part of the country.

The economy of the Philippines has suffered setbacks in recent years, despite having been one of the most buoyant in the region after the Second World War, being blessed with vast natural resources, and American protection. The country became independent of the USA in 1946, and rested under the control of president Ferdinand Marcos until the 1980's, when deposed by the rather unique, People's Power, non-violent revolution.

The revolution came as a result of Marcos' profound corruption, which left his country in a state of virtual bankruptcy, Marcos having siphoned millions of dollars in national funds into private bank accounts throughout the world, much of which has still to be recovered. Now, the Philippines is working to eradicate some of the profound poverty in the country, left as a legacy of the Marcos years. Industry is also beginning to recover, and consumer wealth is increasing, though slowly.

The strong US influence in the culture of the Philippines means that the face of consumerism in this country has a very American nature, with very sophisticated retail chains, selling a wide range of products, all backed up by very American-style advertising campaigns.

The Philippines still has certainly many handicaps of its past to overcome, but it is still catching up with its more successful neighbours, and is a prime target market for foreign imports. The Philippines also has a strong industrial base growing, and many large companies of regional and global significance, including such notaries as the San Miguel brewing company.

PHILIPPINES LINKS

http://www.philstar.com
http://www.bworld.com.ph