Geography of the Philippines

Geography

• Comprises 7,107 islands at high tide, approximately 1,000 of which are inhabited.
• Largest island: Luzon (North); second largest: Mindanao (South); many medium and small islands in the Visayas.
• Highest point: Mt. Apo in Mindanao, measuring 2,954 meters; deepest point: Galathea Depth at -10,540 meters.
• First settlers, Negritos, arrived around 30,000 years ago; Malays and Chinese migration occurred in the 9th century.
• Spain's Ferdinand Magellan claimed the islands in 1521; Spanish influence lasted for 300 years, promoting Catholicism and culture.
• The U.S. took control in 1898; the Philippines gained independence in 1946, being the first Southeast Asian country to do so post-World War II.
• Currency: Philippine Peso; Time Zone: GMT +8.

Language

• Claims the title of the third largest English-speaking country globally, though English is not the first language for most citizens.
• National languages include Filipino and English, alongside 90 to 180 regional dialects and languages.
• Common languages spoken: Tagalog (22 million speakers), Cebuano (20 million), Ilocano (7.7 million), Hiligaynon (7 million), Bicolano (5 million), Waray (3 million), Pampango, and Pangasinan.

Religion

• The only predominantly Christian nation in Asia; approximately 80% of the population identifies as Roman Catholic.
• About 15% are Muslims, mainly residing in Mindanao.

Demography

• Diverse ethnic groups present; original Negrito population is now around 30,000.
• Majority belong to Malayo-Polynesian groups: Tagalog (28%), Cebuano (13%), Ilocano (9%), Hiligaynon (7.5%).
• Filipinos are renowned for their hospitality and warmth.
• Recognized as the "texting capital of the world," sending approximately 350-400 million SMS messages daily.

Climate

• The climate is characterized as tropical and monsoonal.

Economy

• Key industries include agriculture (notable for rice, coconuts, and tropical fruits), electronics assembly, garment manufacturing, fishing, tourism, and mining.
• Rich in natural resources, though exploitation is hindered by geographical and political challenges.
• Home to over 10 million overseas Filipino workers contributing to the economy.

Interesting Facts

• Colonization began with Ferdinand Magellan's arrival in 1521, leading to over 377 years of Spanish rule; the archipelago was named after King Philip II of Spain.
• The world’s largest Christmas lantern, 26.8 meters in diameter, was showcased in San Fernando, Pampanga, in 2002.
• Pope John Paul II hosted a mass for about five million people in Manila in 1995, setting a world record for the largest papal crowd.
• The Philippines was an early adopter of text messaging, generating around 1.39 billion SMS messages daily by 2009.
• The Tagalog word 'bundok' (mountain) contributed to the English term 'boondocks.'
• Taal Volcano is among the world's 17 Decade Volcanoes and features a unique geological structure with a lake and island within it.
• The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 released sulfur dioxide, causing global temperatures to drop by 0.5°C (0.9°F).
• Roberto del Rosario patented the karaoke machine in 1975, making him the first producer to hold a patent for the device.