Capital: Manila

Population: 87,857,473 (July 2005 est.)

Languages: two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

Religions: Roman Catholic 80.9%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, Muslim 5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)

Currency: Philippine peso (PHP)

Timezone: GMT+8

The Philippines has a rich history combining Asian, European, and American influences. Prior to Spanish colonisation in 1521, the Filipinos had a rich culture and were trading with the Chinese and the Japanese.

Spain's colonisation brought about the construction of Intamuros in 1571, a "Walled City" comprised of European buildings and churches, replicated in different parts of the archipelago. In 1898, after 350 years and 300 rebellions, the Filipinos, with leaders like Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo, succeeded in winning their independence.

In 1898, the Philippines became the first and only colony of the United States. Following the Philippine-American War, the United States brought widespread education to the islands. Filipinos fought alongside Americans during World War II, particularly at the famous battle of Bataan and Corregidor which delayed Japanese advance and saved Australia. They then waged a guerrilla war against the Japanese from 1941 to 1945. The Philippines regained its independence in 1946.

The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands covering a land area of 115,739 sq miles (299,764 sq km). Main island groups are Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Capital is Manila. Time Zone is GMT + 8 hours.

This island chain stretches more than 1,500 km from north to south and more than 1,000 km from west to east. Less than 400 of the islands are permanently inhabited.

The extensive and volcanic mountain ranges provides a country noted for the grandeur of its scenery. Some 65 per cent of the country is classified as mountainous with the remainder consisting of narrow coastal plains and interior valleys and uplands.

The Philippines is situated on an active plate fault (the Philippines Plate) and as a consequence, seismic and volcanic activity is common and can sometimes be devastating. Tidal waves and flooding are among the other natural hazards that have to be factored into daily life.

The downside

The Philippines is poor. As one American travel writer wrote: 'It's a dirt poor country with many living in home-made shacks with no plumbing and crude wiring. We in the developed countries are spoiled rotten by our standard of living.

'Most people have no idea what real poverty is until you visit a country like the Philippines. You see young kids selling bottled water at busy intersections, old women selling home-made candles on the sidewalks outside churches, earning money any way they can. Some woman are prostitutes simply because they have no other choice. College educated, but no jobs. Most girls work in retail stores and factories, or make hand-made items.'

Poverty like this means the cost of living is low. You can live high on the hog for GBP1,000 a month. Many exist on a lot less. Many Filipinos live on less than one US dollar a day. As an escape from poverty an estimated million Filipinos work overseas. At least 10 per cent of all households have a family member working abroad, many as housemaids or constructions workers in the Middle East.

The government authorises some 1,300 private recruitment agencies to place Filipinos in overseas jobs.

Security

As is true throughout the world, wherever tourists rub shoulders with poverty there are pickpockets and thieves. For many Filipinos it's a matter of survival.

Be careful and aware. Leave expensive jewelry and watches at home. Don't carry wallets in your back pocket. Don't use a purse or wallet for anything you don't mind losing.

Population

76.5 million with Luzon, the largest island group, accounting for more than half of the entire population.

Political System

The 1987 Constitution provides for a presidential system of government with a bicameral parliament and three equal branches: executive, legislative and judiciary.

Religions

Some 80 per cent of Filipinos are Catholic. About 15 per cent are Moslem. The rest are made up of smaller Christian denominations and Buddhist.