Philippines Facts & Information

Location	Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Climate	Tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
Terrain	Mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
Population	84,619,974
Nationality	Filipino
Ethnic groups	Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%
Religions	Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%
Languages	Two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocan, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense
Government Type	Republic
Capital	Manila
Currency	Philippine peso
Description of Flag	The Philippines flag has two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a small yellow five-pointed star.
Philippines Flag

More Information
 www.travel.state.gov
 www.cia.gov