The Philippine Islands comprise over 7,000 islands lying between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Their land area can be compared to that of Arizona. Only some 7% of these islands have an area greater than one square mile, and two thirds do not have a name. The islands of Luzon and Mindanao make up two-thirds of the land area; another large island is Samar. The islands have been formed by ancient volcanoes' activity, and the larger ones have mountain ranges. With 9,690 ft; 2,954 m, Mount Apo on Mindanao is the highest peak.
Facts about Philippines
| National name: | Republika ng Pilipinas |
| Capital: | Manila, 10,677,000 (metropolitan area), 1,581,082 (city proper) |
| Largest Cities: | Quezon City (2000 est.), 1,669,776 (part of Manila metropolitan area); Cebu (2003 est.), 761,900 |
| Land area: | 115,124 sq mi (298,171 sq km) |
| Total area: | 115,831 sq mi (300,000 sq km) |
| Population: | 89,468,677 |
| Life expectancy: | 70.2 |
| Form of Government: | Republic |
Economy
| Industry: | textile, pharmaceutical, chemical, wood products |
| Agriculture: | rice, coconut, corn, sugarcane, pork, fish |
| Exports: | electronics, transport equipment and machinery, garments, coconut products |
| Monetary unit: | Peso |
| GDP per Capita: | USD 4,600 |
People
| Ethnic Groups: | Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Bisaya/Binisaya, Hiligaynon Ilonggo, Bikol, Waray, other |
| Languages: | Filipino (based on Tagalog), English (both official); eight major
dialects: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense |
| Religion: | Roman Catholic 81%, Evangelical 3%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 5%, Islam 5% |
