Location
of the Philippine Islands: Southeastern
Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the
South China Sea, east of Vietnam. Geographic coordinate
of 13 00 N, 122 00 E. Total area total: 300,000 sq
km (land: 298,170 sq km . Water: 1,830 sq
km) Coastline: 36,289 km. Climate is usually tropical
marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest
monsoon (May to October). Terrain mostly mountains with
narrow to extensive coastal lowlands. Natural Resources
are basically timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver,
gold, salt, copper.
The topography of the bigger islands - particularly
Luzon and Mindanao - is characterized by alluvial
plains, narrow valleys, rolling hills and high
mountains. The highest mountains are found in Mindanao
and Luzon, with the altitudes varying from 1,790 to
3,144 meters. Most of the smaller islands are
mountainous in the interior, surrounded by narrow strips
of discontinuous flat lowlands which constitute the
coastal rims. The shorelines of both large and small
islands are irregular.
The Philippines' fertile land accounts for the more than
900 species of orchids representing 100 genera that have
been found. The sampaguita is the national flower. Among
the country's fauna are some endangered species like the
Philippine Eagle, the tarsier, and the mouse deer.
Metro Manila is strategically located in the middle of
Luzon, on the eastern coast of Manila Bay and at the
mouth of the Pasig River, sprawled over an area of 626
sq.km. Manila sits in the middle of a swampy deltaic
plain formed by accumulated sedimentary deposits from
the Pasig River and other streams.
The city is between the bay to the west, the highlands
to the east, and Laguna de Bay to the southeast. Most of
its densely populated areas are found along the Pasig
River running across the metropolis dividing it into two
sections - the north and the south.
The Philippines is an
archipelago of 7,107 islands. It stretches from the
south of China to the northern tip of Borneo. The
country has over a hundred ethnic groups and a mixture
of foreign influences which have molded a unique
Filipino culture.
Before the Spanish explorers came, Indo-Malays and
Chinese merchants had settled here. In 1521 the
Spaniards, led by Ferdinand Magellan, discovered the
islands. The Spanish conquistadores established a
colonial government in Cebu in 1565. They transferred
the seat of government to Manila in 1571 and proceeded
to colonize the country. The Filipinos resisted and
waged Asia's first nationalist revolution in 1896. On
June 12, 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo declared the Philippines
independent from Spain and proclaimed himself president.
After ruling for 333 years, the Spaniards finally left
in 1898 and were replaced by the Americans who stayed
for 48 years. On July 4, 1946, the Americans recognized
Philippine independence.
The Philippines is the third largest English-speaking
country in the world. The country is divided into three
geographical areas: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It is
subdivided into Regions, then
into Provinces, then into Cities and
Municipalities and then into its smallest
political units known as Barangays. It is
the basic unit of the Philippine political system. It
consists of less than 1,000 inhabitants residing within
the territorial limit of a city or municipality and
administered by a set of elective officials, headed by a
barangay chairman (punong barangay).
Type of Government;
Republic. Legal System based on Spanish and
Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,
with reservations. Judicial branch Supreme Court
(justices are appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve
until 70 years of age).
The Filipino is basically
of Malay stock with a sprinkling of Chinese, American,
Spanish and Arab blood. It is hard to distinguish
accurately the lines between breeds. From a long history
of Western colonial rule, interspersed with the visits
of merchants and traders, evolved a people of a unique
blend of east and west, both in appearance and culture.
The Filipino character is
actually a little bit of all the cultures put together.
The bayanihan or spirit of kinship and camaraderie that
Filipinos are famous for is said to be taken from Malay
forefathers. The close family relations are said to have
been inherited from the Chinese. The piousness comes
from the Spaniards who introduced Christianity in the
16th century. Hospitality is a common denominator in the
Filipino character and this is what distinguishes the
Filipino. Filipinos are probably one of the few, if not
the only, English-proficient Oriental people today.
The Filipinos are divided geographically and culturally
into regions, and each regional group is recognizable by
distinct traits and dialects - the sturdy and frugal
llocanos of the north, the industrious Tagalogs of the
central plains, the carefree Visayans from the central
islands and the colorful tribesmen and religious Moslems
of Mindanao. Tribal communities can be found scattered
across the archipelago. The Philippines has more than
111 dialects spoken, owing to the subdivisions of these
basic regional and cultural groups.
It is predominantly
Catholic, Spain's lasting legacy. Fractionally Moslem
and these people can be found basically in Mindanao. The
rest of the population is made up mostly of smaller
Christian denominations and Buddhist.
The country is marked by
a true blend of cultures; truly in the Philippines, East
meets West. The background of the people is Indonesian
and Malay. There are Chinese and Spanish elements as
well. The history of American rule and contact with
merchants and traders culminated in a unique blend of
East and West, both in the appearance and culture of the
people known as Filipinos,
or people of the Philippines.
Hospitality, a trait
displayed by every Filipino, makes these people
legendary in Southeast Asia. Seldom can you find such
hospitable people who enjoy the company of their Western
visitors. Perhaps due to their long association with
Spain, Filipinos are emotional and passionate about life
in a way that seems more Latin than Asian.
The Spaniards introduced
Christianity (the Roman Catholic faith) and succeeded in
converting the overwhelming majority of Filipinos. At
least 80% of the total population belongs to the Roman
Catholic faith.
The American occupation was responsible for teaching the
Filipino people the English language. The Philippines is
currently the third-largest English speaking country in
the world.
The Philippines has a
tropical climate with relatively abundant rainfall and
gentle winds. There are three pronounced seasons: the
wet or rainy season from June to October, the cool, dry
season from November to February, and the hot, dry
season from March to May.
Temperature in Manila ranges from 210C to 320C with a
270C average. The coolest month is January and the
warmest is May. Both temperature and humidity levels
reach the maximum in April and May, but these are
generally good months for aquasports and mountain
trekking. Some of the most colorful festivals are held
during these months.
It is a democratic form
of government.
Three Branches of The
Government:
- Executive
Branch- Headed by the President
- Legislative
Branch- Consisting of the Senate or Senado and House
of Representative or Kapulongan Ng Mga Kinatawan
- Judicial
Branch-Headed by The Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court.
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