Micronesia, in the western Pacific, consists of some 600 islands grouped into four states: Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk (Truk) and Yap.
Population
103,775,002
106,487
Life Expectancy
71.940 years
71.800 years
Capital City
Manila
Largest city
Manila (population: 10,444,500)
Weno (population: 17,624)
Human Development Index
0.745
NA
GDP per capita
$4,100 US
Literacy Rate
92.6%
89%
Corruption Perception Index
2.3
NA
Percentage of Women in Parliament
20.2%
NA
Wealthiest Citizens
Henry Sy & family ($2.7bn US)
NA
Unemployment Rate
7.000%
Death Penalty
Abolished
NA
Political System
republic
constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force May 2004
Independence date
12 June 1898 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from the US)
Religions
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)
Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other 3%
Languages
Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan
English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Exports
semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits
External Debt
$72,270,000,000 $
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
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Area
300,000 km sq
702 km sq
Coastline
36,289 km
6,112 km
Climate
tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage
