constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government
republic
Independence date
660 B.C. (traditional date of the founding of the nation by Emperor JIMMU)
12 June 1898 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from the US)
Religions
observe both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including Christian 0.7%)
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
Japanese
Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan
Exports
transport equipment, motor vehicles, semiconductors, electrical machinery, chemicals
semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits
External Debt
$3,017,000,000,000 $
$72,810,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
yen (JPY) per US dollar - 103.58 (2008 est.), 117.99 (2007), 116.18 (2006), 110.22 (2005), 108.19 (2004)
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
0.990%
1.190%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
25
0
Location
Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Area
377,915 km sq
300,000 km sq
Coastline
29,751 km
36,289 km
Climate
varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north
tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
Rankings + Records
