Philippines Travel Guide - Key Facts

South-East Asia.

GMT + 8.

300,000 sq km (115,831 sq miles).

91.1 million (CIA estimate 2007).

303.6 per sq km.

Manila. Population: 9.9 million (2005 metropolitan area).

The Philippines lie off the southeast coast of Asia between Taiwan and Borneo in the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea. They are composed of 7,107 islands and islets (7,108 at low tide), 2,773 of which are named. The two largest islands, Luzon in the north and Mindanao in the south, account for 65% of the total land area and contain 60% of the country’s population. Between the two lie the Visayas Islands.

Republic since 1935. Gained independence from the USA in 1946.

President Maria Gloria Macapagal Arroyo since 2001.

Gloria Arroyo was elevated from vice president to president in 2001 after protests led to the ousting of her predecessor, Joseph Estrada. She has since survived numerous attempts to unseat her: by military mutineers in 2003; accusations of vote-rigging and corruption in 2004 and 2005 elections; attempted impeachment in September 2005 and August 2006. She also declared a week-long state of emergency in February 2006 when the army claimed to have foiled a planned coup. Elections in May 2007 were also marked by violence.

Arroyo continues to face the challenge of delivering on her promises to create jobs and to improve living standards. Social and economic reforms introduced during her first term did little to ease poverty and the country's debt burden.

The past few years have also been marred by clashes between government troops and rebels, particularly the militant Islamic group Abu Sayyat, which beheaded seven hostages in 2007 on the Island of Jolo.

Filipino, based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is widely spoken, Spanish less so. There are over 111 cultural and racial groups, each with its own language or dialect; up to 988 languages have been recorded.

Roman Catholic 80.9%; the rest are made up mostly of Muslims, other Christian denominations, Buddhists and Taoists.

220 volts (110 volts in Baguio) AC, 60Hz. 110 volts is available in most hotels. Flat and round two- and three-pin plugs are in use.

Government officials are addressed by their titles such as senator, congressman or director. Otherwise, usual modes of address and levels of politeness are expected. Casual dress is acceptable in most places, but in Muslim areas the visitor should cover up. Filipino men may wear an embroidered long-sleeved shirt or a plain white barong tagalog with black trousers for formal occasions, women wear cocktail dresses or long gowns. The Philippines are, in many respects, more westernised than any other Asian country, but there is a rich underlay of Malay culture.