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The Republic of the Philippines is a country in South East Asia, located in the western Pacific Ocean some 1,210 km (750 mi) from mainland Asia. It consists of 7,107 islands and forms in physical geography a part of the Malay Archipelago. The 333 years as a Spanish colony (1565-1898) and 48 years as an American protectorate (1898-1946) have been the greatest influences on its culture. It is, with East Timor, one of the two predominantly Catholic nations in Southeast Asia and also one of the most westernized nations in the region with a unique blend of East and West.

The Philippines was the most developed country in Asia immediately following World War II, but has since lagged behind other countries because of poor economic growth, government confiscation of wealth, widespread corruption, and neo-colonial influences. Currently, the country attains a moderate economic growth, buoyed by remittances by its large, diasporic overseas Filipino workforce and booming information technology.

The country's major problems include an ongoing Muslim separatist movement in southern Mindanao, the New People's Army communist insurgencies in rural areas, historically inconsistent government policies, and environmental degradation such as rainforest depletion and marine and coastal pollution. The country also suffers from overpopulation in its urban centers due to lack of jobs in the rural areas and having a high birth rate, which is far above the replacement rate and until recently was one of the highest in all of Asia.

Travel Category: Main Travel Page » Asia » Philippines

Useful travel links and resources for Philippines by our editors. Find quality travel links about Philippines's hotels, tours, cruises, car rentals and vacation packages in Philippines.