Philippines

I made this one, way back in college as a requirement to take the final exam. These are not an accurate details for The Philippines itself so please refer to the other sources or the official Philippine History Materials. In anyway, hope this could be of help to everyone.


Philippines

• Called "Maniolas" in a map made by Claudius Ptolomy, an ancient geographer of Alexandria. (90 - 168 AD.)
• Named Ma-I or Mayi by Chinese traders.
• When Ferdinand Magellan came in 1521 he named it "Archipelago of Saint Lazarus".
• In 1543, Villalobos named it Philippines in honor of Prince Philip of Austria, later became King Philip II of Spain.
• "Pearl of the Orient Seas" - was given by missionary and historian Father Juan J. Delgado in 1751 and was mentioned by Dr. Jose Rizal in his writing of "My Last Farewell".

Location:

• Bounded with big bodies of water, Pacific Ocean at the East, South China sea at the south, Balintang Channel up North and Celebes Sea at the South.
• Part of Southeast Asia, latitudes between of 4 23'N and longitude 0f 116 E and 127 E, little above the equator.

Area:

• 300,780 sq. km. - total land area
• 1,107 - Islands and Islets, world largest group of islands.
• 2,773 have names and 1,190 are inhabited.

Climate

• Tropical and Monsoonal
• Two Seasons - dry season, run from the month of December to May and wet season, from June to November. (climate change not yet applicable here, hehe)
• January is the coldest month, May is the hottest.

The People:

• Mixture of races since intermarriages are common
• Most Filipino came from Malay race, with fair complexion, black hair and black eyes.
• Has four cultural heritages - Asian, European, Mexican and American.

Thus, most might look Oriental, with Spanish sounding name, speak English in an American accent and have a Latin temperament.



Population:

• 2010 - estimated 94,013,200 (am using recent stat here)

Natural Wonders:

• Banaue Rice Terraces
• Mount Mayon in Bicol
• Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna
• Sampaloc Lake in San Pablo City
• Hidden Valley of Alaminos of course in Laguna
• Umbrella Geyser in Baranggay Bigaa, San Juan
• Matabungkay Beach
• Taal Volcano
• Crystal Cave
• Hundred Islands
• Chocolate Hills
• Maria Cristina Falls
• Underground River in Palawan

Philippines is rich of scenic beauties and natural wonders, mentioned above are just few I can name.

Few Facts about The Philippines:

• - Manila is the Capital City
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• - Has 3 group of Islands, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao
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• - Contains 61 Bays and Harbors and 20 straits
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• - San Juanico Strait is the worlds narrowest strait
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• - There are 59 lakes. Laguna de bay is the largest found in Luzon
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• - Highest Mountain is Mt. Apo, 10,311 ft above sea level
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• - Mt. Mayon considered the worlds most perfect cone
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• - Taal Volcano considered the worlds smallest

Common Traits of Filipinos:

Hospitality, Close Family Ties, Loyalty, Jealousy, Sensitive, Camaraderie (pakikisama(?), Fatalistic and Lack of initative.

Lack of initiative – explained as the natural fear of competition.

Jealousy - refers to the Filipino Men, whom required complete faith and loyalty from his wife

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