Philippine Culture and Tourism Geography

The overall way of life of a particular country or group, including: customs, beliefs, art, traditions, and social organization.

Symbols are anything that carries a specific meaning within a culture, like words, gestures, pictures, or objects. They are the most superficial layer of culture.

People, real or imagined, known for embodying valued characteristics within a culture, serving as role models.

Activities often done for their own sake, even if not necessary for achieving a goal, as they are considered socially essential. These are things like greetings, showing respect, and religious ceremonies.

The core of a culture, these are broad preferences for certain states of affairs over others, like good vs. evil, right vs. wrong. Values are often unconscious and revealed through behavior.

The Philippines is an archipelago nation with around 7,641 islands, about 2,000 of which are inhabited.

The Philippines is located in Southeast Asia, near the equator, in the Pacific Ocean between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea.

The Philippines is prone to earthquakes and typhoons due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, but also has diverse natural resources and biodiversity.

The Philippines has been losing forests due to logging, mining, and farming. It is home to a diverse range of plants, including orchids, ferns, and tall grasses.

The Philippines is home to a diverse range of mammals, including water buffalo, monkeys, and deer. The tamaraw is found only on Mindoro.

The Philippines has a wide array of birds, including jungle fowl, parrots, and the endangered Philippine eagle.

The Philippines has over 2,000 species of fish in its waters, including milkfish and seahorses. The Tubbataha Reefs, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are known for their marine life abundance.

The Philippines has a high rate of new animal discoveries, with 16 new mammal species identified in the last 10 years.

The capital of the Philippines is Manila, with a population of 1.8 million. Quezon City is the largest city in the country.

The Philippines is a republic, gaining independence from Spain on June 12, 1898.

The Philippines has a tropical climate with hot, dry seasons and rainy seasons. Temperatures are moderate throughout the year.

The Filipino people are known for their warmth and hospitality. They are a blend of Malay and Chinese heritage.

The population of the Philippines is over 108 million, with more than half residing in Luzon, the largest island group.

The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country with a significant Muslim minority. Other Christian denominations and Buddhists are also present.

The official languages of the Philippines are Filipino and English. Filipino, based on Tagalog, is the national language.

The Philippines has extensive natural resources including timber, minerals (copper, gold, silver, nickel, lead, chromium) and offshore petroleum.

The Philippines is a major agricultural producer, cultivating rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, and livestock like pork, eggs, and beef.

The Philippine eagle, the national bird, is critically endangered with an estimated population of 180-500. Killing one is illegal and punishable by law.

The barong Tagalog, a traditional embroidered male garment made from piña or jusi fibers, is worn on formal occasions.

The Philippines is known as the world's largest supplier of nurses, providing about 25% of all overseas nurses.

The Philippine flag, when worn out, must not be thrown away but burned with dignity to avoid desecration.

The national anthem of the Philippines, Lupang Hinirang, was originally just music until lyrics were added later.

The national tree of the Philippines, narra, is considered endangered and requires special permits for harvesting.

The national flower of the Philippines, sampaguita, symbolizes purity, simplicity, humility, and strength.

The Philippine eagle, the national bird, is monogamous, meaning pairs mate for life. If one dies, the surviving eagle may find another mate.

The world's largest pearl, the Pearl of Lao-Tzu, was discovered in the Philippines by a Filipino diver in 1934.

Arnis, the national martial art and sport of the Philippines, is also known by other names like Eskrima, Kali, and Garrote in different regions.

There is no official legal declaration proclaiming any specific Filipino historical figure as a national hero, although some are recognized for their contributions to nation-building.

There is no officially recognized national dance, dish, or other symbols in the Philippines beyond the national flag, anthem, tree, flower, bird, and gem.