Philippines
Asia · South-Eastern Asia
Overview
The Philippines is an island nation in Southeast Asia, in the Pacific Ocean, made up of about 7,640 islands, of which roughly 2,000 are inhabited. The country was colonized by Spain from the 16th century onward, a rule lasting about 330 years, before the United States took control following the Spanish-American War of 1898, until independence in 1946. This dual colonial legacy continues to shape the country's culture today; the Philippines is Asia's only predominantly Catholic country and also one of the most widely English-speaking countries in Asia. The official languages are Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English, though more than 180 local languages are also spoken across the country.
The old town of Vigan, on the island of Luzon, with Spanish colonial-era stone houses and streets navigable by horse-drawn carriage, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999 and is one of the best-preserved Spanish colonial town centers in Asia. The Philippine rice terraces, including those of Banaue, which tradition holds were first carved into the hillsides by hand roughly 2,000 years ago by members of the Ifugao ethnic group, also form a UNESCO World Heritage site. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, on the island of Palawan, home to one of the longest navigable underground rivers in the world, is also on the UNESCO list. Manila, the capital, home to the Spanish colonial-era old town of Intramuros, where San Agustin Church, another UNESCO World Heritage site, is located, marks the meeting point of modern and colonial Philippines.
The Philippines' coral reefs rank among the richest marine biodiversity regions in the world, forming part of the "Coral Triangle," and the areas around Palawan and Cebu offer excellent diving and snorkeling, with whale sharks regularly observed, particularly around Oslob. The Chocolate Hills, on the island of Bohol, with more than 1,200 uniformly cone-shaped mounds that turn brown during the dry season, form one of the island's most distinctive geological sights. The white sand beaches of Boracay Island, including the stretch known as White Beach, rank among the most popular beach resorts in the Philippines. Local cuisine blends Spanish, Chinese, Malay, and American influences, with adobo, meat braised in vinegar and soy sauce, regarded as the country's national dish.
Map
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Browse all UNESCO sites →Baroque Churches of the Philippines
These four churches, the first of which was built by the Spanish in the late 16th century, are located in Manila, Santa Maria, Paoay and Miag-ao. Their unique architectural style is a reinterpretation of European Baroque by Chinese and Philippine craftsmen.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
The Tubbataha Reef Marine Park covers 96,828 ha, including the North and South Atolls and the Jessie Beazley Reef. It is a unique example of an atoll reef with a very high density of marine species; the North Islet serving as a nesting site for birds and marine turtles. The site is an excellent example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100-m perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons and two coral islands.
Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras
For 2,000 years, the high rice fields of the Ifugao have followed the contours of the mountains. The fruit of knowledge handed down from one generation to the next, and the expression of sacred traditions and a delicate social balance, they have helped to create a landscape of great beauty that expresses the harmony between humankind and the environment.
Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park
This park features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with an underground river. One of the river's distinguishing features is that it emerges directly into the sea, and its lower portion is subject to tidal influences. The area also represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. The site contains a full 'mountain-to-sea' ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia.
Historic City of Vigan
Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and from Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that have no parallel anywhere in East and South-East Asia.
Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary
Forming a mountain ridge running north-south along the Pujada Peninsula in the south-eastern part of the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor, the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary has an elevation range of 75–1,637 m above sea level and provides critical habitat for a range of plant and animal species. The property showcases terrestrial and aquatic habitats at different elevations, and includes threatened and endemic flora and fauna species, eight of which are found only at Mount Hamiguitan. These include critically endangered trees, plants and the iconic Philippine eagle and Philippine cockatoo.
Data: UNESCO WHC · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Philippines?
The capital of Philippines is Manila.
What is the area of Philippines?
The area of Philippines is 342,353 km².
What is the population of Philippines?
The population of Philippines is 115,843,670.
What is the currency of Philippines?
The currency of Philippines is Philippine peso (PHP).
What is the official language of Philippines?
The official language of Philippines: English, Filipino.
What side of the road does Philippines drive on?
Philippines: Right-hand traffic.
Is Philippines a member of the United Nations?
Yes, Philippines is a member of the United Nations.