Capital city: Manila
Nationality: Filipino(s)
Population: 84,619,974

Life expectancy at birth: Total population: 21.8 years; Male: 21.3 years; Female: 22.4 years (2003 est.)

Ethnic groups that make up the population: 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: two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocan, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense

Literacy rate (Definition: age 15 and over can read and write):total population: 95.9%; male: 96%; female: 95.8% (2003 est.)

Legal system: based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Industries & Agriculture: textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, electronics assembly, petroleum refining, fishing/ rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish

GDP: $379.7 billion (2002 est.)

GDP per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,600 (2002 est.)

Currency: Philippine peso (PHP)

Misc. interesting facts: The Philippines were ceded by Spain to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. They attained independence in 1946 after Japanese occupation in World War II. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced him into exile. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. The Philippines has had two electoral presidential transitions since the removal of MARCOS. In January 2001, the Supreme Court declared Joseph ESTRADA unable to rule in view of mass resignations from his government and administered the oath of office to Vice President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO as his constitutional successor. The government continues to struggle with Muslim insurgencies in the south.

References: CIA Fact book http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
World’s Flag Database: http://www.flags.net/