12 June 1898 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from the US)
Religions
Muslim 77.5%, Christian 8.5%, other 14% (2004 census)
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
Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan
Exports
liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel
semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits
External Debt
$125,300,000,000 $
$72,270,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar - 3.64 (2008 est.), 3.64 (2007), 3.64 (2006), 3.64 (2005), 3.64 (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
10.000%
0.900%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Area
11,586 km sq
300,000 km sq
Coastline
563 km
36,289 km
Climate
arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
