Land Area:

300,000 sq. km. (archipelago of 7,100 islands)

Coastline:

36,289 kilometers

Geography:

Three main island groups: Luzon , Visayas & Mindanao

Capital:

Manila (Land area - 38.3 sq. km)

Political System:

The 1987 Constitution provides for a presidential system of government with a bicameral parliament and three (3) equal branches: executive, legislative and judiciary.

Population:

76.5 million (as of May 1, 2000)

Projected Population :

85.2 million (2005) 

Population Density:

255 persons/sq. km. (as of May 1, 2000)

Population Growth Rate:

2.36% (1995 - 2000)

Labor Force Participation Rate:

64.8 (October 2005)

Employment Rate:

92.6 (October 2005)

Literacy Rate :

94.6% of total population - among the highest in the world

Number of Graduates Annually:

Secondary school, over one million, college level, 350,000

Languages Spoken:

Filipino, English and other regional dialects

Ethnic Profile:

Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, others 3%

Major Religion:

85% are Roman Catholics, the rest are Protestants and Muslims

Climate:

Tropical with temperatures ranging from 23-32 °C. Two distinct seasons: Wet (June to October) & Dry (November to May)

Currency Unit:

Philippine Peso

Business Hours:

0800-1700 (Private/Gov't Offices)
0900-1500 (Banks)
1000-2000 (Stores/Malls)

Time Zone:

GMT +8 hrs.

Average Flying Hours:

GNP:

5.7% (2005)

GDP :

5.1% (2005)

Inflation:

7.7% (2005)

Exports :

US$ 37.4 Billion (January to November 2005)

Imports :

US$ 40.9 Billion (January to November 2005)

Principal Exports

Semi-Conductors and Electronic Microcircuits; Garments; Finished Electrical Machinery; Crude Coconut Oil 

Principal Markets:

USA , Japan ,  Hong Kong , Taiwan , Malaysia , Singapore ,  China , Germany