The Philippine Islands comprise over 7,000 islands lying between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Their land area can be compared to that of Arizona. Only some 7% of these islands have an area greater than one square mile, and two thirds do not have a name. The islands of Luzon and Mindanao make up two-thirds of the land area; another large island is Samar. The islands have been formed by ancient volcanoes’ activity, and the larger ones have mountain ranges. With 9,690 ft; 2,954 m, Mount Apo on Mindanao is the highest peak
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National name: Republika ng Pilipinas

Capital and largest city: Manila, 10,677,000 (metropolitan area), 1,581,082 (city proper)
Other large cities: Quezon City (2000 est.), 1,669,776 (part of Manila metropolitan area); Cebu (2003 est.), 761,900

Land area: 115,124 sq mi (298,171 sq km)
Total area: 115,831 sq mi (300,000 sq km)

Population: 89,468,677
Life expectancy: 70.2;

Form of Government: Republic

Economy

Industry: textile, pharmaceutical, chemical, wood products.
Agriculture: rice, coconut, corn, sugarcane, pork, fish.
Export: electronics, transport equipment and machinery, garments, coconut products.
Monetary unit: Peso
GDP per Capita: USD 4,600

People

Ethnic Groups: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Bisaya/Binisaya, Hiligaynon Ilonggo, Bikol, Waray, other
Languages: Filipino (based on Tagalog), English (both official); eight major dialects: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense
Religions: Roman Catholic 81%, Evangelical 3%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 5%, Islam 5%