|
Background:
|
The
Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during
the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898
following the Spanish-American War. The islands
attained their independence in 1946 after Japanese
occupation in World War II. The 21-year rule of
Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a widespread
popular rebellion forced him into exile. In 1992,
the US closed its last military bases on the
islands. The Philippines has had a series of
electoral presidential transitions since the removal
of MARCOS. The government continues to struggle with
armed Muslim insurgencies in the south. |
|
Location:
|
Southeastern
Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the
South China Sea, east of Vietnam |
|
Geographic coordinates:
|
13 00
N, 122 00 E |
|
Map references:
|
Southeast
Asia |
|
Area:
|
total:
300,000 sq km
water: 1,830 sq km
land: 298,170 sq km |
|
Area - comparative:
|
slightly
larger than Arizona |
|
Land boundaries:
|
0 km |
|
Coastline:
|
36,289
km |
|
Maritime claims:
|
territorial
sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm
from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late
1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in
South China Sea up to 285 nm in breadth
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
|
Climate:
|
tropical
marine; northeast monsoon (November to April);
southwest monsoon (May to October) |
|
Terrain:
|
mostly
mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands |
|
Elevation extremes:
|
lowest
point: Philippine Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m |
|
Natural resources:
|
timber,
petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt,
copper |
|
Land use:
|
arable
land: 18.95%
permanent crops: 16.77%
other: 64.28% (2001) |
|
Irrigated land:
|
15,500
sq km (1998 est.) |
|
Natural hazards:
|
astride
typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by
five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides;
active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis |
|
Environment - current issues:
|
uncontrolled
deforestation especially in watershed areas; soil
erosion; air and water pollution in major urban
centers; coral reef degradation; increasing
pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are
important fish breeding grounds |
|
Environment - international agreements:
|
party
to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands,
Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air
Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants |
|
Geography - note:
|
favorably
located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main
water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea,
Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait
|
|
Population:
|
86,241,697
(July 2004 est.) |
|
Age structure:
|
0-14
years: 35.8% (male 15,758,255; female
15,152,291)
15-64 years: 60.2% (male 25,847,345; female
26,096,211)
65 years and over: 3.9% (male 1,473,873;
female 1,913,722) (2004 est.) |
|
Median age:
|
total:
22.1 years
male: 21.6 years
female: 22.6 years (2004 est.) |
|
Population growth rate:
|
1.88%
(2004 est.) |
|
Birth rate:
|
25.8
births/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
|
Death rate:
|
5.53
deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
|
Net migration rate:
|
-1.5
migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
|
Sex ratio:
|
at
birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2004
est.) |
|
Infant mortality rate:
|
total:
24.24 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 21.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2004
est.)
male: 27.11 deaths/1,000 live births |
|
Life expectancy at birth:
|
total
population: 69.6 years
male: 66.74 years
female: 72.61 years (2004 est.) |
|
Total fertility rate:
|
3.22
children born/woman (2004 est.) |
|
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
|
less
than 0.1% (2003 est.) |
|
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
|
9,000
(2003 est.) |
|
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
|
less
than 500 (2003 est.) |
|
Nationality:
|
noun:
Filipino(s)
adjective: Philippine |
|
Ethnic groups:
|
Christian
Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3% |
|
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 |
|
Literacy:
|
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.6%
male: 92.5%
female: 92.7% (2002)
|
|
Country name:
|
conventional
long form: Republic of the Philippines
conventional short form: Philippines
local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas
local short form: Pilipinas |
|
Government type:
|
republic |
|
Capital:
|
Manila |
|
Administrative divisions:
|
79
provinces and 115 chartered cities
: provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan
del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Antique, Apayao, Aurora,
Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Biliran, Benguet,
Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte,
Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite,
Cebu, Compostela, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur,
Davao Oriental, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao,
Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga,
Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union,
Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro
Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental,
Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Negros Occidental,
Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar,
Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga,
Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar,
Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato,
Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del
Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales,
Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga
Sibugay
: chartered cities: Alaminos, Angeles,
Antipolo, Bacolod, Bago, Baguio, Bais, Balanga,
Batangas, Bayawan, Bislig, Butuan, Cabanatuan,
Cadiz, Cagayan de Oro, Calamba, Calapan, Calbayog,
Candon, Canlaon, Cauayan, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato,
Dagupan, Danao, Dapitan, Davao, Digos, Dipolog,
Dumaguete, Escalante, Gapan, General Santos, Gingoog,
Himamayan, Iligan, Iloilo, Isabela, Iriga,
Kabankalan, Kalookan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, La
Carlota, Laoag, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Legazpi, Ligao,
Lipa, Lucena, Maasin, Makati, Malabon, Malaybalay,
Malolos, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marawi,
Markina, Masbate, Muntinlupa, Munoz, Naga, Olongapo,
Ormoc, Oroquieta, Ozamis, Pagadian, Palayan, Panabo,
Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Passi, Puerto Princesa,
Quezon, Roxas, Sagay, Samal, San Carlos (in Negros
Occidental), San Carlos (in Pangasinan), San
Fernando (in La Union), San Fernando (in Pampanga),
San Jose, San Jose del Monte, San Pablo, Santiago,
Silay, Sipalay, Sorsogon, Surigao, Tabaco, Tacloban,
Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran, Tagum, Talisay (in
Cebu), Talisay (in Negros Oriental), Tanauan, Tangub,
Tanjay, Tarlac, Toledo, Tuguegarao, Trece Martires,
Urdaneta, Valencia, Valenzuela, Victorias, Vigan,
Zamboanga |
|
Independence:
|
12 June
1898 (from Spain) |
|
National holiday:
|
Independence
Day, 12 June (1898)
note: 12 June 1898 was the date of
independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was the date of
independence from the US |
|
Constitution:
|
2
February 1987, effective 11 February 1987 |
|
Legal system:
|
based
on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations |
|
Suffrage:
|
18
years of age; universal |
|
Executive branch:
|
chief
of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
(since 20 January 2001); note - the president is
both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Gloria
MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001); note - the
president is both the chief of state and head of
government
elections: president and vice president
elected on separate tickets by popular vote for
six-year terms; election last held 10 May 2004 (next
to be held in May 2010)
election results: results of the election -
Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO elected president; percent
of vote - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 40%, Fernando POE
37%, three others 23%
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
with the consent of the Commission of Appointments |
|
Legislative branch:
|
bicameral
Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or
Senado (24 seats - one-half elected every three
years; members elected by popular vote to serve
six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or
Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (212 members
representing districts plus 24 sectora party-list
members; members elected by popular vote to serve
three-year terms; note - the Constitution prohibits
the House of Representatives from having more than
250 members)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by
party - Lakas 30%, LP 13%, KNP 13%, independents
13%, others 31%; seats by party - Lakas 7, LP 3, KNP
3, independents 3, others 7; note - there are 23
rather than 24 sitting senators because one senator
was elected vice president; 14 senators are
pro-government, 9 are in opposition; House of
Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%;
seats by party - Lakas-CMD 91, NPC 58, LP 29, LDP
15, other 19 (2004)
elections: Senate - last held 10 May 2004
(next to be held in May 2007); House of
Representatives - elections last held 10 May 2004
(next to be held in May 2007) |
|
Judicial branch:
|
Supreme
Court (15 justices are appointed by the president on
the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council
and serve until 70 years of age) |
|
Political parties and leaders:
|
Laban
Ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino
Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA, president]; Lakas
Ng Edsa (National Union of Christian Democrats) or
Lakas [Jose DE VENECIA, president]; Liberal Party or
LP [Florencio ABAD, president; Franklin DRILON,
chairman]; National People's Coalition or NPC
[Eduardo COJUANGCO, chairman emeritus; Frisco SAN
JUAN, president; Faustino DY, chairman]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino
PIMENTEL, chairman; Jejomar BINAY, president];
Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (Party of the Philippine
Masses) or PMP [Horacio MORALES, president]; Aksyon
Demokratiko Party [Raul ROCO, president]; Reporma [Renato
DE VILLA, chairman]; PROMDI [Emilio OSMENA,
president] |
|
Political pressure groups and leaders:
|
Bayan
Muna [Reps. Satur OCAMPO, Liza MAZA, and Crispin
BELTRAN]; Bagong Alyasang Makabayan or BAYAN
[Nathaniel SANTIAGO and Teddy CASINO]; League of
Filipino Students [Noel COLINA]; AKBAYAN [Rep.
Loretta ROSALES]; SANLAKAS [Renato CONSTANTINO];
Confederation for Unity, Reform and Advancement for
Government Employees or COURAGE [Ferdinand GAITE]
(2003) |
|
International organization participation:
|
APEC,
ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, CP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,
IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, UN, UN
Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO |
|
Diplomatic representation in the US:
|
chief
of mission: Ambassador Albert DEL ROSARIO
chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20036
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los
Angeles, New York, San Francisco, San Jose (Northern
Mariana Islands), Tamuning (Guam)
consulate(s): San Diego
FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614
telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300 |
|
Diplomatic representation from the US:
|
chief
of mission: Ambassador Francis J. RICCIARDONE
embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila
mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000
telephone: [63] (2) 523-6300
FAX: [63] (2) 522-4361 |
|
Flag description:
|
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
|
|
Economy - overview:
|
The
Philippines was less severely affected by the Asian
financial crisis of 1998 than its neighbors, aided
in part by annual remittances of $6-7 billion from
overseas workers. From a 0.6% decline in 1998, GDP
expanded by 2.4% in 1999, and 4.4% in 2000, but
slowed to 3.2% in 2001 in the context of a global
economic slowdown, an export slump, and political
and security concerns. GDP growth accelerated to
4.4% in 2002 and 4.2% in 2003, reflecting the
continued resilience of the service sector, gains in
industrial output, and improved exports.
Nonetheless, it will take a higher, sustained growth
path to make appreciable progress in poverty
alleviation given the Philippines' high annual
population growth rate and unequal distribution of
income. The MACAPAGAL-ARROYO Administration has
promised to continue economic reforms to help the
Philippines match the pace of development in the
newly industrialized countries of East Asia. The
strategy includes improving the infrastructure,
strengthening tax collection to bolster government
revenues, furthering deregulation and privatization
of the economy, enhancing the viability of the
financial system, and increasing trade integration
with the region. Prospects for 2004 will depend on
the economic performance of two major trading
partners, the US and Japan, and on increased
confidence on the part of the international
investment community. |
|
GDP:
|
purchasing
power parity - $390.7 billion (2003 est.) |
|
GDP - real growth rate:
|
4.5%
(2003 est.) |
|
GDP - per capita:
|
purchasing
power parity - $4,600 (2003 est.) |
|
GDP - composition by sector:
|
agriculture:
14.5%
industry: 32.3%
services: 53.2% (2003 est.) |
|
Investment (gross fixed):
|
18.1%
of GDP (2003) |
|
Population below poverty line:
|
40%
(2001 est.) |
|
Household income or consumption by percentage
share:
|
lowest
10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 38.4% (2000) |
|
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
|
48.1
(2000) |
|
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
|
3.1%
(2003 est.) |
|
Labor force:
|
34.56
million (2003) |
|
Labor force - by occupation:
|
agriculture
45%, industry 15%, services 40% (2003 est.) |
|
Unemployment rate:
|
11.4%
(2003) |
|
Budget:
|
revenues:
$11.56 billion
expenditures: $15.25 billion, including
capital expenditures of $2.4 million NA (2003) |
|
Public debt:
|
77% of
GDP (2003) |
|
Agriculture - products:
|
rice,
coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples,
mangoes, pork, eggs, beef, fish |
|
Industries:
|
electronics
assembly, textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood
products, food processing, petroleum refining,
fishing |
|
Industrial production growth rate:
|
-0.1%
(2003 est.) |
|
Electricity - production:
|
45.21
billion kWh (2001) |
|
Electricity - production by source:
|
fossil
fuel: 55.6%
hydro: 17.5%
other: 26.9% (2001)
nuclear: 0% |
|
Electricity - consumption:
|
42.04
billion kWh (2001) |
|
Electricity - exports:
|
0 kWh
(2001) |
|
Electricity - imports:
|
0 kWh
(2001) |
|
Oil - production:
|
8,460
bbl/day (2001 est.) |
|
Oil - consumption:
|
343,000
bbl/day (2001 est.) |
|
Oil - exports:
|
NA
(2001) |
|
Oil - imports:
|
NA
(2001) |
|
Oil - proved reserves:
|
164
million bbl (1 January 2002) |
|
Natural gas - production:
|
10
million cu m (2001 est.) |
|
Natural gas - consumption:
|
10
million cu m (2001 est.) |
|
Natural gas - exports:
|
0 cu m
(2001 est.) |
|
Natural gas - imports:
|
0 cu m
(2001 est.) |
|
Natural gas - proved reserves:
|
104.6
billion cu m (1 January 2002) |
|
Current account balance:
|
$3.349
billion (2003) |
|
Exports:
|
$34.56
billion f.o.b. (2003 est.) |
|
Exports - commodities:
|
electronic
equipment, machinery and transport equipment,
garments, coconut products, chemicals |
|
Exports - partners:
|
US
20.4%, Japan 14.4%, China 11.8%, Hong Kong 7.7%,
Taiwan 6.7%, Singapore 6%, Malaysia 5%, Netherlands
4.8%, Germany 4.6% (2003 est.) |
|
Imports:
|
$35.97
billion f.o.b. (2003 est.) |
|
Imports - commodities:
|
raw
materials, machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals |
|
Imports - partners:
|
Japan
20%, US 17.9%, Singapore 7.1%, South Korea 6.8%,
China 6.7%, Hong Kong 4.8%, Taiwan 4.6% (2003 est.) |
|
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:
|
$16.87
billion (2003) |
|
Debt - external:
|
$57.96
billion (2003) |
|
Economic aid - recipient:
|
ODA
commitments, $1.2 billion (2002) |
|
Currency:
|
Philippine
peso (PHP) |
|
Currency code:
|
PHP |
|
Exchange rates:
|
Philippine
pesos per US dollar - 54.2033 (2003), 51.6036
(2002), 50.9926 (2001), 44.1922 (2000), 39.089
(1999) |
|
Fiscal year:
|
calendar
year
|
| Communications |
Philippines |
|
Telephones - main lines in use:
|
3,310,900
(2002) |
|
Telephones - mobile cellular:
|
15.201
million (2002) |
|
Telephone system:
|
general
assessment: good international radiotelephone
and submarine cable services; domestic and
inter-island service adequate
domestic: domestic satellite system with 11
earth stations
international: country code - 63; 9
international gateways; satellite earth stations - 3
Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean);
submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore,
Taiwan, and Japan |
|
Radio broadcast stations:
|
AM 369,
FM 583, shortwave 5
note: each shortwave station operates on
multiple frequencies in the language of the target
audience (2004) |
|
Radios:
|
11.5
million (1997) |
|
Television broadcast stations:
|
225;
note - 1373 CATV networks (2004) |
|
Televisions:
|
3.7
million (1997) |
|
Internet country code:
|
.ph |
|
Internet hosts:
|
38,440
(2002) |
|
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
|
33
(2000) |
|
Internet users:
|
3.5
million (2002)
|
| Transportation |
Philippines |
|
Railways:
|
total:
897 km
narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (492 km
are in operation) (2003) |
|
Highways:
|
total:
201,994 km
paved: 42,419 km
unpaved: 159,575 km (2000) |
|
Waterways:
|
3,219
km
note: limited to vessels with a draft of less
than 1.5 m |
|
Pipelines:
|
gas 565
km; oil 135 km; refined products 100 km (2003) |
|
Ports and harbors:
|
Batangas,
Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras Island, Iligan,
Iloilo, Jolo, Legaspi, Manila, Masao, Puerto
Princesa, San Fernando, Subic Bay, Zamboanga |
|
Merchant marine:
|
total:
385 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,524,259 GRT/6,437,171
DWT
foreign-owned: Australia 2, Canada 1, Germany
2, Greece 11, Hong Kong 15, Japan 50, Malaysia 5,
Netherlands 15, Norway 6, Panama 1, United Kingdom
2, United States 4
registered in other countries: 87 (2003 est.)
by type: bulk 99, cargo 103, chemical tanker
7, combination bulk 7, container 8, liquefied gas 9,
livestock carrier 10, passenger 4, passenger/cargo
10, petroleum tanker 45, refrigerated cargo 21, roll
on/roll off 16, short-sea/passenger 26, specialized
tanker 1, vehicle carrier 19 |
|
Airports:
|
253
(2003 est.) |
|
Airports - with paved runways:
|
total:
82
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 35
under 914 m: 11 (2003 est.)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 |
|
Airports - with unpaved runways:
|
total:
171
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 68
under 914 m: 98 (2003 est.) |
|
Heliports:
|
2 (2003
est.)
|
|
Military branches:
|
Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy
(includes Coast Guard and Marine Corps), Air Force |
|
Military manpower - military age:
|
20
years of age (2004 est.) |
|
Military manpower - availability:
|
males
age 15-49: 22,435,982 (2004 est.) |
|
Military manpower - fit for military service:
|
males
age 15-49: 15,780,602 (2004 est.) |
|
Military manpower - reaching military age
annually:
|
males:
851,009 (2004 est.) |
|
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
|
$995
million (FY98) |
|
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
|
1.5%
(FY98)
|
| Transnational
Issues |
Philippines |
|
Disputes - international:
|
involved
in complex dispute with China, Malaysia, Taiwan,
Vietnam and possibly Brunei over the Spratly
Islands, known locally as the Kalayaan (Freedom)
Islands, the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct
of Parties in the South China Sea," has eased
tensions but falls short of a legally binding
"code of conduct" desired by several of
the disputants; Philippines retains a claim to
Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo based on
the Sultanate of Sulu's granting the Philippines
Government power of attorney to pursue a sovereignty
claim |
|
Illicit drugs:
|
exports
locally-produced marijuana and hashish to East Asia,
the US, and other Western markets; serves as a
transit point for heroin and crystal methamphetamine;
domestic methamphetamine production is a growing
problem; remains on Financial Action Task Force
Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories List for
continued failure to address deficiencies in
money-laundering control regime
|
|
