LocationSouth-East Asia.
Area300,000 sq km (115,831 sq miles).
Population91.1 million (CIA estimate 2007).
Population Density303.6 per sq km.
CapitalManila.
Population: 9.9 million (2005 metropolitan area).
GovernmentRepublic since 1935. Gained independence from the USA in 1946.
LanguageFilipino, 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; up to
988 languages have been recorded.
ReligionRoman Catholic 80.9%; the rest are made up mostly of Muslims, other Christian denominations, Buddhists and Taoists.
TimeGMT + 8.
Electricity220 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.
Head of StatePresident Maria Gloria Macapagal Arroyo since 2001.
Recent HistoryGloria Arroyo was elevated from vice president to president in 2001 after protests led to the ousting of her predecessor, Joseph Estrada. She has since survived numerous attempts to unseat her: by military mutineers in 2003; accusations of vote-rigging and corruption in 2004 and 2005 elections; attempted impeachment in September 2005 and August 2006. She also declared a week-long state of emergency in February 2006 when the army claimed to have foiled a planned coup. Elections in May 2007 were also marked by violence.
Arroyo continues to face the challenge of delivering on her promises to create jobs and to improve living standards. Social and economic reforms introduced during her first term did little to ease poverty and the country’s debt burden.
The past few years have also been marred by clashes between government troops and rebels, particularly the militant Islamic group Abu Sayyat, which beheaded seven hostages in 2007 on the Island of Jolo.
TelephoneCountry code: 63. International calls to the smaller towns must be booked through the operator.
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage is mostly limited to Manila and other main urban areas, but this is improving.
InternetInternet cafes are available across the country
MediaThe media is controlled by powerful commercial interests. There is a busy TV scene, which is dominated by free-to-air networks
ABS-CBN and
GMA. Many radio networks are also run by TV broadcasters. Freedom of the press is guaranteed under the 1987 constitution.
PostAirmail 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
Daily Tribune,
Manila Bulletin,
Malaya,
Manila Times and the
Philippine Star.
Radio• Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS) is a government-run network operating stations all over the Philippines.
• ABS-CBN,
GMA Network,
Manila Broadcasting Company and
Radio Mindanao Network operate stations nationwide.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.
2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
24 Feb EDSA Revolution Day.
9 Apr Bataan Day (Araw ng Kagitingan)/Maundy Thursday.
10 Apr Good Friday.
4 May Labor Day.
15 Jun Independence Day.
30 Aug National Heroes' Day.
21 Sep Eid Ul Fitr (exact date varies).
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
30 Nov Bonifacio Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
30 Dec Rizal Day.
31 Dec New Year's Eve.
2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
24 Feb EDSA Revolution Day.
9 Apr Bataan Day (Araw ng Kagitingan).
1 Apr Maundy Thursday.
2 Apr Good Friday.
3 May Labor Day.
14 Jun Independence Day.
29 Aug National Heroes' Day.
11 Sep Eid Ul Fitr (exact date varies).
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
30 Nov Bonifacio Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
30 Dec Rizal Day.
31 Dec New Year's Eve.
NoteEaster is a major holiday in the Philippines and travel may be disrupted.
Contact Information:Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in the UK9A Palace Green, London W8 4QE, UK
Tel: (020) 7937 1600
or 7361 4641 (consular section).
Website:
www.philemb.org.uk Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700 (visa applications); Mon-Fri 1500-1530 (visa collection).
Philippine Cultural and Tourism Office in the UK146 Cromwell Road, London SW7 4EF, UK
Tel: (020) 7835 1100.
Website:
www.wowphilippines.co.uk Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in the USA1600 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 467 9300.
Website:
www.philippineembassy-usa.org
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