Philippines
Population
With an estimated population of about 92 million people, the Philippines is the world’s 12th most populous country.
Language
Many Filipinos use English in the public sphere and Filipino and other Philippine languages. (They speak Tagolog where I am).
Gov
The Philippines has a presidential, unitary form of government The president is elected by popular vote to a single six-year term, during which time she or he appoints and presides over the cabinet.
Geography
The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands with a total land area of approximately 300,000 square kilometers (116,000 square miles). Its 36,289 kilometers of coastline makes it the country with the 5th longest coastline in the world. Most of the mountainous islands are covered in tropical rainforest and volcanic in origin.
The Philippines has a tropical climate and is usually hot and humid. The average yearly temperature is around 26.6°C (79.88°F). There are three recognized seasons: tag-init or tag-araw (the hot season or summer from March to May). Manila and most of the lowland areas are hot and dusty from March to May.
Economy
Primary exports include semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, and fruits. Major trading partners include China, Japan, the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia. Its unit of currency is the Philippine peso (PHP).
Religion
The Philippines is one of two predominantly Roman Catholic countries in Asia, the other being East Timor. More than 90% of the population are Christians. About 80% belong to the Roman Catholic Church while the remaining 10% belong to other Christian denominations. Between 5% to 10% of the population are Muslim.
Jeepneys were originally made from U.S. military jeeps left over from World War II.The transportation infrastructure in the country is relatively underdeveloped. There are many ways to get around, especially in urban areas. Buses, jeepneys, taxis, and motorized tricycles are commonly available in major cities and towns. (We ride Jeepneys and tricyles every day! Jeepneys have crazy horns, colors, blaring music, crazy drivers, you’re squeezed in…basically they’re great!)
The Halo-halo is a dessert made of ice, milk, various fruits and ice cream.Filipino cuisine has evolved over several centuries from its Malayo-Polynesian origins to become a mixed cuisine with many Hispanic, Chinese, American, and other Asian influences that have been adapted to local ingredients and the Filipino palate to create distinctively Filipino dishes. Furthermore, unlike many of their Asian counterparts, Filipinos do not eat with chopsticks. They use western cutlery.
Various sports and pastimes are popular in the Philippines including basketball, boxing, volleyball, football, badminton, taekwondo, billiards, ten-pin bowling, chess, and sipa. Motocross, cycling, and mountaineering are also becoming popular. Basketball is considered to be the most popular sport in the Philippines.
