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Philippines

Southeast Asia
Republic of the Philippines / Filipino Islands
Official Name: Republika ng Pilipinas | Capital: Manila
Country Archipelago
Expert Tip: The Philippines consists of 7,641 islands, making it the second largest archipelago in the world after Indonesia.

Geography

1Location
The Philippines is located in Southeast Asia.
The country is bounded by the South China Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east.
2Main Islands
The three main island groups are Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Luzon is the largest island where the capital Manila is located.
3Climate
The Philippines has a tropical maritime climate.
It experiences three seasons: hot dry, rainy, and cool dry season.
4Biodiversity
The Philippines is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots.
It hosts many endemic species like the Philippine eagle and tarsier.
5Natural Resources
The country is rich in mineral resources.
It has significant deposits of gold, copper, nickel and chromite.
Expert Tip: The Philippines sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Culture

1Languages
Filipino and English are the official languages.
There are over 170 languages spoken across the islands.
2Religion
The Philippines is predominantly Roman Catholic.
About 80% of the population are Catholics.
3Festivals
Colorful fiestas are celebrated nationwide.
The Sinulog and Ati-Atihan festivals are among the most famous.

Tourism

1Beaches
Boracay is famous for its white sand beaches.
Palawan's underground river is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2Historical Sites
Intramuros showcases Spanish colonial architecture.
The Banaue Rice Terraces are often called the "Eighth Wonder of the World".
3Diving
The Philippines offers world-class diving spots.
Tubbataha Reef is one of the best marine biodiversity areas globally.
4Cuisine
Filipino food features adobo, sinigang and lechon.
Halo-halo is a popular dessert combining various ingredients with shaved ice.
Expert Tip: The best time to visit is during the dry season from November to April, avoiding the typhoon season.