EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES
|
|---|
|
|
The Philippines, or Pilipinas in the national dialect, is an archipelago of more than 7,100 islands located in Southeast Asia. It's a beautiful tropical paradise of 86 million friendly people and warm smiles. Its capital is Manila in the island of Luzon.
The Philippines was discovered by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. The name of the country was given by Ruy López de Villalobos during his expedition in 1543 when he called the islands of Samar and Leyte "Las Islas Filipinas" after King Philip II who was the reigning monarch of Spain at that time. The name later on came to refer to the entire archipelago.
The Philippines was held as a colony of Spain for more than 300 years. It declared independence from Spain on June 12, 1898 with the hoisting of the Philippine flag by General Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite. But Spain ceded control of the islands to the United States by way of the Treaty of Paris. Thus, the country came under the control of the United States. It was not until after the 2nd World War on July 4, 1946 that the Philippines finally became a free nation.
|
Kabayan, |
Today, the country is a leading outsourcing solutions provider, an exporter of electronics and agricultural products, and a major source of exported labor. Remittances from overseas Filipino workers form a significant portion of its gross national product.
For more information about the Philippines, please visit other sections of this website as follows:
- Philippine Embassies and Consulates
Contact information of Philippine embassies worldwide. - Philippine Flag
Drawing, symbolism, and history of the Philippine flag. - Philippine Government
The national government of the Philippines and its current leadership. - Philippine History
A brief history of the Philippines and its people. - Philippine National Anthem
Lyrics and brief history of the Philippine National Anthem (Lupang Hinirang). - Philippine National Holidays
List of holidays being observed nationwide in the Philippines. - Philippine National Symbols
Show and define the national symbols of the Philippines. - Philippine Presidents
List of Philippine presidents from 1898 to the present. - Philippine Senators
The current members of the Philippine Senate.
