World Country Guide

Area
300,000 sq km (115,831 sq miles).

Population
78,580,000 (official estimate 2002).

Population Density
261.9 per sq km.

Capital
Manila. Population: 1,581,082 (2000).

Geography
The Philippines lie off the southeast coast of Asia between Taiwan and Borneo in the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea. They are composed of 7107 islands and islets (7108 at low tide), 2773 of which are named. The two largest islands, Luzon in the north and Mindanao in the south, account for 65 per cent of the total land area and contain 60 per cent of the country’s population. Between the two lie the Visayas Islands.

Government
Republic since 1935. Gained independence from the USA in 1946. Head of State and Government: President Maria Gloria Macapagal Arroyo since 2001.

Language
Filipino, based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is widely spoken, Spanish less so. There are over 111 cultural and racial groups, each with its own language or dialect; in 1990 there were 988 recorded languages.

Religion
Roman Catholic 84 per cent; the rest are made up mostly of Muslims, other Christian denominations, Buddhists and Taoists.

Time
GMT + 8.

Electricity
220 volts (110 volts in Baguio) AC, 60Hz. 110 volts is available in most hotels. Flat and round two- and three-pin plugs are in use.

Communications

Telephone
IDD is available to main towns. Country code: 63. International calls to the smaller towns must be booked through the operator. Outgoing international code: 00.

Mobile telephone
GSM 900/1800 network. Operators include Digitel (website: www.digitelone.com), Globe Telecom (website: www.globe.com.ph), Islacom (website: www.innove.com.ph) and Smart Gold GSM (website: www.smart.com.ph). Coverage is limited to Manila and other main urban areas.

Fax
All 3- to 5-star hotels, most government offices and most businesses have facsimile services.

Telegram
Telegrams can be sent from Eastern Telecommunications Philippines Incorporated offices.

Internet
ISPs include Internet Manila (website: www.i-manila.com.ph) and Inter.net Phillipines Inc (website: www.ph.inter.net). Visitors can access their e-mail from Internet cafes across the country

Post
Airmail to Europe takes at least five days. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700.

Press
There are about 17 daily newspapers. English-language daily newspapers include the Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Philippine Star.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.