12 June 1898 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from the US)
Religions
Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
Roman Catholic 80.9%, Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)
Languages
French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)
Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan
Exports
semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits
External Debt
$72,270,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar - 44.439 (2008 est.), 46.148 (2007), 51.246 (2006), 55.086 (2005), 56.04 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
0.900%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Area
342,000 km sq
300,000 km sq
Coastline
169 km
36,289 km
Climate
tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator
tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
