Philippines

 
Geography                 Economy                 Defense Forces
 

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GEOGRAPHY

Location

Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam

Area

Total area: 300,000 sq km
Land area: 298,170 sq km
Comparative area: slightly larger than Arizona

Land Boundaries

0 km

Coastline

36,289 km

Maritime Claims

Measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

Continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in breadth

International Disputes

Involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; claims Malaysian state of Sabah

Climate

Tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)

Terrain

Mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m

Natural Resources

Timber
Petroleum
Nickel
Cobalt
Silver
Gold
Salt
Copper

Land Use

Arable land: 26%
Permanent crops: 11%
Meadows and pastures: 4%
Forest and woodland: 40%
Other: 19%

Irrigated Land

16,200 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment

Current issues: uncontrolled deforestation in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in Manila; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps which are important fish breeding grounds
Natural hazards: astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides, active volcanoes, destructive earthquakes, tsunamis
International agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands

PEOPLE

Population

74,480,848 (July 1996 est.)
73,265,584 (July 1995 est.)

Age Structure

0-14 Years

38% (male 14,486,214; female 14,026,873) (July 1996 est.)
38% (male 14,214,234; female 13,841,552) (July 1995 est.)

15-64 Years

58% (male 21,403,784; female 21,968,259) (July 1996 est.)
58% (male 20,923,307; female 21,603,818) (July 1995 est.)

65 Years and Over

4% (male 1,165,810; female 1,429,908) (July 1996 est.)
4% (male 1,256,967; female 1,425,706) (July 1995 est.)

Population Growth Rate

2.18% (1996 est.)
2.23% (1995 est.)

Birth Rate

29.51 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
30.42 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Death Rate

6.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
6.97 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Net Migration Rate

-1.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
-1.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant Mortality Rate

35.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
49.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Total population: 65.91 years (1996 est.), 65.65 years (1995 est.)
Male: 63.14 years (1996 est.), 63.16 years (1995 est.)
Female: 68.83 years (1996 est.), 68.25 years (1995 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

3.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)
3.81 children born/woman (1995 est.)

Nationality

Noun: Filipino(s)
Adjective: Philippine

Ethnic Divisions

Christian Malay 91.5%
Muslim Malay 4%
Chinese 1.5%
Other 3%

Religions

Roman Catholic 83%
Protestant 9%
Muslim 5%
Buddhist and other 3%

Languages

Pilipino (official; based on Tagalog), English (official)

Literacy

Age 15 and over that can read and write (1995 est.)

Total population: 94.6%
Male: 95%
Female: 94.3%

Labor Force

24.12 million

By occupation:

Agriculture 46%
Industry and commerce 16%
Services 18.5%
Government 10%
Other 9.5% (1989)

GOVERNMENT

Names

Conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines
Conventional short form: Philippines
Local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas
Local short form: Pilipinas

Digraph

Type

Republic

Capital

Manila

Administrative Divisions

72 provinces and 61 chartered cities*; Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Angeles*, Antique, Aurora, Bacolod*, Bago*, Baguio*, Bais*, Basilan, Basilan City*, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Batangas City*, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Butuan*, Cabanatuan*, Cadiz*, Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro*, Calbayog*, Caloocan*, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Canlaon*, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cavite City*, Cebu, Cebu City*, Cotabato*, Dagupan*, Danao*, Dapitan*, Davao City* Davao, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dipolog*, Dumaguete*, Eastern Samar, General Santos*, Gingoog*, Ifugao, Iligan*, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Iloilo City*, Iriga*, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, La Carlota*, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Laoag*, Lapu-Lapu*, La Union, Legaspi*, Leyte, Lipa*, Lucena*, Maguindanao, Mandaue*, Manila*, Marawi*, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Naga*, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Olongapo*, Ormoc*, Oroquieta*, Ozamis*, Pagadian*, Palawan, Palayan*, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Pasay*, Puerto Princesa*, Quezon, Quezon City*, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Roxas*, Samar, San Carlos* (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos* (in Pangasinan), San Jose*, San Pablo*, Silay*, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao*, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacloban*, Tagaytay*, Tagbilaran*, Tangub*, Tarlac, Tawitawi, Toledo*, Trece Martires*, Zambales, Zamboanga*, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur

Independence

4 July 1946 (from U.S.)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 12 June (1898) (from Spain)

Constitution

2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987

Legal System

Based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage

15 years of age; universal

Executive Branch

Chief of state and head of government: President Fidel Valdes RAMOS (since 30 June 1992); Vice President Joseph Ejercito ESTRADA (since 30 June 1992); election last held 11 May 1992 (next to be held NA May 1998); results - Fidel Valdes RAMOS won 23.6% of the vote, a narrow plurality
For 20 years, ending 1986, it has been a dictature headed by Ferdinant MARCOS
Cabinet: Executive Secretary; appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission of Appointments

Legislative Branch

Bicameral Congress (Kongreso)

Senate (Senado)

Elections last held 8 May 1995 (next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (24 total) LDP 14, Lakas/NUCD 5, NPC 2, LP 1, PRP 1, independent 1

House of Representatives (Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan)

Elections last held 8 May 1995 (next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (204 total) Lakas/NUCD 129, LDP 29, NPC (opposition) 25, LP 6, PDP 3, KBL/NPC 1, results pending 11

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court, justices are appointed for four-year terms by the president on recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council

Political Parties and Leaders

Democratic Filipino Struggle (Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino, LDP), Edgardo ANGARA; People Power-National Union of Christian Democrats (Lakas ng EDSA-NUCD or Lakas-NUCD); Raul MANGLAPUS, president and Jose DE VENECIA, secretary general; Liberal Party (LP), Raul DAZA; National People's Coalition (NPC), Eduardo COJUANGCO; People's Reform Party (PRP), Miriam DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO; New Society Movement (Kilusan Bagong Lipunan, KBL), Imelda MARCOS; Nacionalista Party (NP), Salvador H. LAUREL, president; Filipino Democratic Party (Partido Demokratikong Philipinas or PDP), Jose COJUANGCO, is part of the ruling coalition with the LDP

Member of

APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, Mekong Group, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIH, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

National Anthem

Flag

Two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a small yellow five-pointed star

ECONOMY

Overview

The Philippine economy, primarily a mixture of agriculture and light industry, continued its third year of recovery in 1995, led by growth in exports and investments. Officials have targeted 5%-6% growth for 1996 after achieving 4.8% growth in 1995. The government is continuing its economic reforms to enable the Philippines to move closer to the development of the newly industrialized countries of East Asia. The strategy includes improving infrastructure and plans to overhaul the tax system to bolster government revenues.

National Product

GDP - purchasing power parity - $179.7 billion (1995 est.), $161.4 billion (1994 est.)

National Product Real Growth Rate

3.9% (1998 est.)
5.0% (1997 est.)
5.7% (1996)
4.8% (1995)
4.3% (1994 est.)

National Product Per Capita

$2,530 (1995 est.)
$2,310 (1994 est.)

Inflation Rate (consumer Prices)

8.1% (1995)
7.1% (1994 est.)

Unemployment Rate

9.5% (1995 est.)
9% (1994)

Budget

Revenues: $14.1 billion
Expenditures: $13.6 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (1995 est.)

Exports

$17.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
$13.4 billion (f.o.b., 1994)

Commodities:

Electronics
Textiles
Coconut products
Copper
Fish

Partners:

U.S. 39%
Japan 15%
Germany 5%
Hong Kong 5%
U.K. 5% (1994)

Imports

$26.5 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
$21.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994)

Commodities:

Raw materials 40%
Capital goods 25%
Petroleum products 10%

Partners:

Japan 24%
U.S. 18%
Taiwan 6%
Singapore 7%
South Korea 5% (1994)

External Debt

$41 billion (1995 est.)
$40 billion (1994 est.)

Industrial Production

Growth rate 1.4% (1993); accounts for 28% of GDP

Electricity

Capacity: 6,770,000 kW
Production: 20.4 billion kWh
Consumption per capita: 278 kWh (1993)

Industries

Textiles
Pharmaceuticals
Chemicals
Wood products
Food processing
Electronics assembly
Petroleum refining
Fishing

Agriculture

Accounts for 22% of GDP and about 45% of labor force; major crops - rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangos; animal products - pork, eggs, beef; net exporter of farm products; fish catch of 2 million metric tons annually

Illicit Drugs

Illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; growers are producing more and better quality cannabis despite government eradication efforts; transit point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for the U.S.

Economic Aid

Recipient: ODA, $934 million (1993); U.S. commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $3.6 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $7.9 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $5 million; Communist countries (1975-89), $123 million

Currency

1 Philippine peso (P) = 100 centavos

Exchange Rates

Philippine pesos (P) per US$1 - 26.206 (December 1995), 25.714 (1995), 26.417 (1994), 27.120 (1993), 25.512 (1992), 27.479 (1991), 24.311 (1990)

Fiscal Year

Calendar year

TRANSPORTATION

Railroads

Total: 499 km
Narrow gauge: 499 km 1.067-m gauge (1993)

Highways

Total: 160,633 km
Paved: 22,489 km
Unpaved: 138,144 km (1992 est.)

Inland Waterways

3,219 km; limited to shallow-draft (less than 1.5 m) vessels

Pipelines

Petroleum products 357 km

Ports

Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras, Iligan, Iloilo, Jolo, Legaspi, Manila, Masao, Puerto Princesa, San Fernando, Subic Bay, Zamboanga

Merchant Marine

Total: 535 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,033,849 GRT/13,101,188 DWT
Ships by type: bulk 230, cargo 126, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk 11, container 12, liquefied gas tanker 9, livestock carrier 12, oil tanker 44, passenger 2, passenger-cargo 12, refrigerated cargo 19, roll-on/roll-off cargo 12, short-sea passenger 18, vehicle carrier 25

Note: A flag of convenience registry; Japan owns 22 ships, Hong Kong 4, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 1, Denmark 1, and U.K. 1 (1995 est.)

Airports

Total: 235
With paved runways over 3,047 m: 2
With paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
With paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25
With paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 31
With paved runways under 914 m: 104
With unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 3
With unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 63 (1995 est.)

COMMUNICATIONS

Telephone System

887,229 telephones (1993 est.); good international radio and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate

Local: NA
Intercity: 11 domestic satellite links
International: submarine cables extended to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan; 3 INTELSAT (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) earth stations

Radio

Broadcast stations: AM 261, FM 55, shortwave 0
Radios: 9.03 million (1992 est.)

Television

Broadcast stations: 29
Televisions: 7 million (1993 est.)

DEFENSE FORCES

Branches

Army, Navy (includes Coast Guard and Marine Corps), Air Force

Manpower Availability

Males age 15-49 18,722,509; males fit for military service 13,221,513; males reach military age (20) annually 767,056 (1996 est.)

Defense Expenditures

Exchange rate conversion - $1 billion, 1.4% of GDP (1995); $731 million, 1.4% of GNP (1992)

History
World Atlas

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