PHILIPPINES

Location

Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam.

Geography

The Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands; 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.

Capital

Manila

Climate

tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)

Language

Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English (official languages). Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango and Pangasinan

Monetary Unit

Philippine peso (PHP)

Largest Cities

Manila, Davao, Cebu, Bacolod, Cagayan, Iloilo, Angeles, Baguio, San Pedro, San Fernando, Lucena, General Santos, Olongapo, Calamba, Tacloban, Malolos, Cotabato, Zamboanga, Toledo, Calbayog, Naga

Principal rivers

Indus River

Places to Visit

Bahawalpur, Cholistan

Air Ports

Manila and San Pedro