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Borlaza</a> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/contributor/Carolina-G-Hernandez/5849"> Carolina G. Hernandez</a> </div> <div class="last-updated grid-md-100 grid-sm-shrink xs-hidden"> <div class="subhead">Last Updated:</div> <time>10-24-2016</time> <br><a id="see-history" data-type="accordion-link" href="#Article-History" rel="nofollow">See Article History</a></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="md-center-channel grid-md"> <article> <section id="toc456399main" data-level="intro"><div class="country-quick-facts md-content-module-right grid-sm-ad-300"> <div class="fact-box gutter-bottom"> <div class="title">Philippines</div> <div class="fact-box-details"> <div class="country-flag"> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos/flag-of-Philippines/61684" data-id="61684" class="media-overlay-link"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/73/3473-004-0E0463AA.jpg" alt="Flag of Philippines"/> </a> <div class="text-center"> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-the-Philippines">flag of the Philippines</a></div> </div> <div class="country-anthem small-box"> <span>National anthem of the Philippines</span> <audio src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/64/145764-005-420C2DB6.mp3" type="audio/mpeg" controls="controls"></audio> </div> </div> <div class="fact-box-details"> <a name="toc456399profile"></a><section id="toc456399profile" class="md-country-facts" data-profile="true"><dl><dt><em>Official name</em></dt><dd>Republika ng Pilipinas (Filipino); Republic of the Philippines (English)</dd></dl><dl><dt><em>Form of government</em></dt><dd>unitary republic with two legislative houses (Senate [24]; House of Representatives [291])</dd></dl><dl><dt><em>Head of state and government</em></dt><dd>President: Rodrigo Duterte</dd></dl><dl><dt><em>Capital</em></dt><dd><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Manila">Manila</a><sup class="bps-article-supandsub">1</sup></dd></dl><dl><dt><em>Official languages</em></dt><dd>Filipino; English</dd></dl><dl><dt><em>Official religion</em></dt><dd>none</dd></dl><dl><dt><em>Monetary unit</em></dt><dd>piso<sup class="bps-article-supandsub">2</sup> (₱)</dd></dl><dl><dt><em>Population</em></dt><dd>(2015 est.) 101,762,000</dd></dl><dl><dt><em>Total area (sq mi)</em></dt><dd>115,831</dd></dl><dl><dt><em>Total area (sq km)</em></dt><dd>300,000</dd></dl><dl><dt><em>Urban-rural population</em></dt><dd>Urban: (2010) 45.3%<br>Rural: (2010) 54.7%<br></dd></dl><dl><dt><em>Life expectancy at birth</em></dt><dd>Male: (2014) 65.3 years<br>Female: (2014) 72.4 years<br></dd></dl><dl><dt><em>Literacy: percentage of population age 15 and over literate</em></dt><dd>Male: not available<br>Female: not available<br></dd></dl><dl><dt><em>GNI per capita (U.S.$)</em></dt><dd>(2014) 3,440</dd></dl><ul class="md-country-footnotes"><li><sup class="bps-article-supandsub">1</sup>Other government offices and ministries are located in Quezon City and other Manila suburbs.</li><li><sup class="bps-article-supandsub">2</sup>Piso in Filipino; peso in English and Spanish.</li></ul></section></div> <div class="small-box"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/82/77882-004-F86077E2.pdf" target="_blank"> <span>Country Data Overview (PDF)</span> <img src="/web/20161128221542im_/https://www.britannica.com/resources/images/topic/world-quick-facts.jpg" alt="Country Data Overview"/> </a> </div> </div> <div class="md-ad gutter-bottom"> <div data-refresh="true" id="div-gpt-ad-be17f655-73fa-476f-a45f-2aa0871c38e6" data-slot="BOT" class="google-ad-iframe ui-hide-on-modal "> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="display gpt">googletag.cmd.push(function() { headertag.display('div-gpt-ad-be17f655-73fa-476f-a45f-2aa0871c38e6'); });</script> </div> </div> </div><p class="md-content-block gutter-bottom firstpar"><strong><span class="srTitle">Philippines</span></strong><strong>, </strong>island country of Southeast Asia in the western <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Pacific-Ocean"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/437703/Pacific-Ocean">Pacific Ocean</span></a>. It is an archipelago consisting of some 7,100 islands and islets lying about 500 miles (800 km) off the coast of <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Vietnam"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/628349/Vietnam">Vietnam</span></a>. <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Manila"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/362270/Manila">Manila</span></a> is the capital, but nearby <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Quezon-City"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/487200/Quezon-City">Quezon City</span></a> is the country’s most-populous city. Both are part of the National Capital Region (Metro Manila), located on <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Luzon"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/352414/Luzon">Luzon</span></a>, the largest island. The second largest island of the Philippines is <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Mindanao"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/383601/Mindanao">Mindanao</span></a>, in the southeast.</p><div class="other-media gutter-bottom"><ul><li data-map="true"><figure data-layout="column" class="center-xs middle-xs"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos//61685" data-id="61685" data-type="image" class="media-overlay-link"><div class="image-wrapper"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/74/3474-004-957B096C.jpg" alt=""><em class="material-icons" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></div></a><figcaption class="text-center"><div class="description"><div class="credit"><em>Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.</em></div></div></figcaption></figure></li><li><figure data-layout="column" class="center-xs middle-xs"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos/Fishing-boat-at-sunset-Boracay-Island-central-Philippines/106983" data-id="106983" data-type="image" class="media-overlay-link"><div class="image-wrapper"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/25/94425-004-FFBB5850.jpg" alt=""><em class="material-icons" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></div></a><figcaption class="text-center"><div class="description"><div class="description-text">Fishing boat at sunset, Boracay Island, central Philippines.</div><div class="credit"><em>© Digital Vision/Getty Images</em></div></div></figcaption></figure></li><li><figure data-layout="column" class="center-xs middle-xs"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos/Overview-of-the-history-and-people-of-the-Philippines/158423" data-id="158423" data-type="video" class="media-overlay-link"><div class="image-wrapper"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/00/141200-049-14ECADF5.jpg" alt=""><em class="md-play material-icons" data-icon="play_circle_outline"></em></div></a><figcaption class="text-center"><div class="description"><div class="description-text">Overview of the history and people of the Philippines.</div><div class="credit"><em>Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.</em></div></div></figcaption></figure></li></ul></div><p class="md-content-block gutter-bottom">The Philippines takes its name from <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Philip-II-king-of-Spain-and-Portugal"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/456081/Philip-II">Philip II</span></a>, who was king of <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Spain"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/557573/Spain">Spain</span></a> during the Spanish colonization of the islands in the 16th century. Because it was under Spanish rule for 333 years and under U.S. tutelage for a further 48 years, the Philippines has many cultural <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affinities" class="md-dictionary-link" data-term="affinities">affinities</a> with the West. It is, for example, the second most-populous Asian country (following <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/India"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/285248/India">India</span></a>) with English as an official language and one of only two predominantly Roman Catholic countries in <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Asia"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/38479/Asia">Asia</span></a> (the other being <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/East-Timor"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/596313/East-Timor">East Timor</span></a>). Despite the prominence of such Anglo-European cultural characteristics, the peoples of the Philippines are Asian in <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consciousness" class="md-dictionary-link" data-term="consciousness">consciousness</a> and <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aspiration" class="md-dictionary-link" data-term="aspiration">aspiration</a>.</p><div class="other-media gutter-bottom"><ul><li data-map="true"><figure data-layout="column" class="center-xs middle-xs"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos//208552" data-id="208552" data-type="image" class="media-overlay-link"><div class="image-wrapper"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/34/183734-004-3D9330C4.jpg" alt=""><em class="material-icons" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></div></a><figcaption class="text-center"><div class="description"><div class="credit"><em>Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.</em></div></div></figcaption></figure></li></ul></div><p class="md-content-block gutter-bottom">The country was wracked by political turmoil in the last quarter of the 20th century. After enduring more than a decade of <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authoritarian" class="md-dictionary-link" data-term="authoritarian">authoritarian</a> rule under Pres. <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ferdinand-E-Marcos"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/364302/Ferdinand-E-Marcos">Ferdinand Marcos</span></a>, the broadly popular People Power movement in 1986 led a bloodless uprising against the regime. The confrontation resulted not only in the ouster and exile of Marcos but also in the restoration of democratic government to the Philippines</p><div class="related-people md-content-module-right grid-xs-ad-300"> <div class="md-ad gutter-bottom"> <div data-refresh="true" id="div-gpt-ad-575d20fd-c329-4228-9418-d8d887cfd599" data-slot="BOT2" class="google-ad-iframe ui-hide-on-modal "> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="display gpt">googletag.cmd.push(function() { headertag.display('div-gpt-ad-575d20fd-c329-4228-9418-d8d887cfd599'); });</script> </div> </div> <div class="xs-hidden"> <div class="subhead">Related People</div> <ul class="dots gutter-bottom"> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ben-R-Rich">Ben R. Rich</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jose-P-Laurel">José P. Laurel</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sergio-Osmena">Sergio Osmeña</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Theodore-Roosevelt-Jr">Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Apolinario-Mabini">Apolinario Mabini</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ramon-Mitra">Ramon Mitra</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elpidio-Quirino">Elpidio Quirino</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Manuel-Roxas-y-Acuna">Manuel Roxas</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Fidel-Ramos">Fidel Ramos</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pancho-Villa-boxer">Pancho Villa</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div><p class="md-content-block gutter-bottom">Contemporary Filipinos continue to grapple with a society that is replete with <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paradoxes" class="md-dictionary-link" data-term="paradoxes">paradoxes</a>, perhaps the most obvious being the presence of extreme wealth alongside tremendous poverty. Rich in resources, the Philippines has the potential to build a strong industrial economy, but the country remains largely agricultural. Especially toward the end of the 20th century, rapid industrial expansion was spurred by a high degree of domestic and foreign investment. That growth, however, simultaneously contributed to severe <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/degradation" class="md-dictionary-link" data-term="degradation">degradation</a> of the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/environment" class="md-dictionary-link" data-term="environment">environment</a>. The Philippines also emerged as a regional leader in education during the late 20th century, with a well-established public school and university system, and by the early 21st century the country had one of the highest literacy rates in Asia.</p><div class="other-media gutter-bottom"><ul><li><figure data-layout="column" class="center-xs middle-xs"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos/Villagers-tending-a-rice-field-in-the-Philippines/102050" data-id="102050" data-type="image" class="media-overlay-link"><div class="image-wrapper"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/59/99559-004-C6C51F03.jpg" alt=""><em class="material-icons" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></div></a><figcaption class="text-center"><div class="description"><div class="description-text">Villagers tending a rice field in the Philippines.</div><div class="credit"><em>© Goodshoot/Jupiterimages</em></div></div></figcaption></figure></li></ul></div></section><section data-level="1" id="toc23724"><h2 class="h2"><a name="ref387422" id="ref387422" class="idxref"></a>Land</h2><p class="md-content-block gutter-bottom">The Philippine archipelago is bounded by the <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippine-Sea"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/456389/Philippine-Sea">Philippine Sea</span></a> to the east, the <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Celebes-Sea"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/101231/Celebes-Sea">Celebes Sea</span></a> to the south, the <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Sulu-Sea"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/573066/Sulu-Sea">Sulu Sea</span></a> to the southwest, and the <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/South-China-Sea"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/556146/South-China-Sea">South China Sea</span></a> to the west and north. The islands spread out in the shape of a triangle, with those south of <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Palawan-island-Philippines"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/439297/Palawan">Palawan</span></a>, the <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Sulu-Archipelago"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/573064/Sulu-Archipelago">Sulu Archipelago</span></a>, and the island of Mindanao outlining (from west to east, respectively) its southern base and the <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Batan-Islands"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/55758/Batan-Islands">Batan Islands</span></a> to the north of Luzon forming its apex. The archipelago stretches about 1,150 miles (1,850 km) from north to south, and its widest east-west extent, at its southern base, is some 700 miles (1,130 km). The island of <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Taiwan"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/580902/Taiwan">Taiwan</span></a> lies north of the Batan group, the Malaysian portion of the island of <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Borneo-island-Pacific-Ocean"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/74286/Borneo">Borneo</span></a> is to the south of Palawan, and the eastern islands of <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Indonesia"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/286480/Indonesia">Indonesia</span></a> lie to the south and southeast of Mindanao. Only about two-fifths of the islands and islets have names, and only some 350 have areas of 1 square mile (2.6 square km) or more. The large islands fall into three groups: (1) the Luzon group in the north and west, consisting of Luzon, <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Mindoro"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/383635/Mindoro">Mindoro</span></a>, and Palawan, (2) the <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Visayan-Islands"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/630313/Visayan-Islands">Visayas</span></a> group in the centre, consisting of <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Bohol"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/71655/Bohol">Bohol</span></a>, <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Cebu"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/100986/Cebu">Cebu</span></a>, <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Leyte"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/338447/Leyte">Leyte</span></a>, <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Masbate-island-Philippines"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/367748/Masbate">Masbate</span></a>, <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Negros"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/408206/Negros">Negros</span></a>, <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Panay-island-Philippines"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/440887/Panay">Panay</span></a>, and <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Samar"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/520254/Samar">Samar</span></a>, and (3) Mindanao in the south.</p><div class="other-media gutter-bottom"><ul><li><figure data-layout="column" class="center-xs middle-xs"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos/Time-lapse-video-of-the-Batan-Islands-Philippines/212804" data-id="212804" data-type="video" class="media-overlay-link"><div class="image-wrapper"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/00/191100-049-9AC4BF31.jpg" alt=""><em class="md-play material-icons" data-icon="play_circle_outline"></em></div></a><figcaption class="text-center"><div class="description"><div class="description-text">Time-lapse video of the Batan Islands, Philippines.</div><div class="credit"><em>Kris Guico (A Britannica Publishing Partner)</em></div></div></figcaption></figure></li></ul></div><section data-level="2" id="toc23725"><h2 class="h3">Relief</h2><div class="related-places md-content-module-right grid-xs-ad-300"> <div class="md-ad gutter-bottom"> <div data-refresh="true" id="div-gpt-ad-11e214f4-62a1-4bf9-9166-8f10edfb5799" data-slot="BOT3" class="google-ad-iframe ui-hide-on-modal "> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="display gpt">googletag.cmd.push(function() { headertag.display('div-gpt-ad-11e214f4-62a1-4bf9-9166-8f10edfb5799'); });</script> </div> </div> <div class="xs-hidden"> <div class="subhead">Related Places</div> <ul class="dots gutter-bottom"> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Pasay">Pasay</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Mandaue">Mandaue</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Oroquieta">Oroquieta</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Antipolo">Antipolo</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Dumaguete">Dumaguete</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Olongapo">Olongapo</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Dapitan">Dapitan</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Luzon">Luzon</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Bohol">Bohol</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Cadiz-Philippines">Cadiz</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div><p class="md-content-block gutter-bottom">Outstanding physical features of the Philippines include the irregular configuration of the archipelago, the coastline of some 22,550 miles (36,290 km), the great extent of mountainous country, the narrow and interrupted coastal plains, the generally northward trend of the river systems, and the spectacular lakes. The islands are composed primarily of volcanic rock and coral, but all principal rock formations are present. The mountain ranges for the most part run in the same <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/topic/general"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/228325/general">general</span></a> direction as the islands themselves, approximately north to south.</p><div class="other-media gutter-bottom"><ul><li data-map="true"><figure data-layout="column" class="center-xs middle-xs"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos//61686" data-id="61686" data-type="image" class="media-overlay-link"><div class="image-wrapper"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/75/3475-004-FF0BE56C.jpg" alt=""><em class="material-icons" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></div></a><figcaption class="text-center"><div class="description"><div class="credit"><em>Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.</em></div></div></figcaption></figure></li><li><figure data-layout="column" class="center-xs middle-xs"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos/The-Sulu-Archipelago-comprises-hundreds-of-volcanic-and-coral-islands/14598" data-id="14598" data-type="image" class="media-overlay-link"><div class="image-wrapper"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/84/9184-004-185A915A.jpg" alt=""><em class="material-icons" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></div></a><figcaption class="text-center"><div class="description"><div class="description-text">The Sulu Archipelago comprises hundreds of volcanic and coral islands and numerous rocks and reefs …</div><div class="credit"><em>Ted Spiegel—Rapho/Photo Researchers</em></div></div></figcaption></figure></li></ul></div><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/quiz/world-wars" class="test-your-knowledge md-content-module-left grid-md-shrink lg-visible md-visible"> <div class="subhead">Test Your Knowledge</div> <div class="image-wrapper"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/69/159669-118-D277CF8D.jpg" alt="Louis IX of France (St. Louis), stained glass window of Louis IX during the Crusades. (Unknown location.)"/> <div class="title">World Wars</div> </div> </a><p class="md-content-block gutter-bottom">The <a name="ref387423" id="ref387423" class="idxref"></a><a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Cordillera-Central-mountains-Puerto-Rico"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/102121/Cordillera-Central">Cordillera Central</span></a>, the central mountain chain of <a name="ref387424" id="ref387424" class="idxref"></a><a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Luzon"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/352414/Luzon">Luzon</span></a>, running north to the <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Luzon-Strait"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/352429/Luzon-Strait">Luzon Strait</span></a> from the northern boundary of the central plain, is the most prominent range. It consists of two and in places three parallel ranges, each with an average elevation of about 5,900 feet (1,800 metres). The <a name="ref387425" id="ref387425" class="idxref"></a><a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Sierra-Madre-mountain-system-Mexico"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/543406/Sierra-Madre">Sierra Madre</span></a>, extending along the Pacific coast from northern to central Luzon, is the longest mountain range in the country. That range and the Cordillera Central merge in north-central Luzon to form the <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Caraballo-Mountains"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/94429/Caraballo-Mountains">Caraballo Mountains</span></a>. To the north of the latter, and between the two ranges, is the fertile Cagayan Valley. The narrow <a name="ref387426" id="ref387426" class="idxref"></a>Ilocos, or Malayan, range, lying close along the west coast of northern Luzon, rises in places to elevations above 5,000 feet (1,500 metres) and is seldom below 3,500 feet (1,000 metres); it is largely volcanic. In the southwestern part of northern Luzon are the rugged <a name="ref387427" id="ref387427" class="idxref"></a><a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Zambales-Mountains"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/655529/Zambales-Mountains">Zambales Mountains</span></a>, consisting of more or less isolated old volcanic stocks (rock formed under great heat and pressure deep beneath the Earth’s surface).</p><div class="other-media gutter-bottom"><ul><li><figure data-layout="column" class="center-xs middle-xs"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos/A-tour-of-Batad-and-Sagada-in-the-Cordillera-area/212843" data-id="212843" data-type="video" class="media-overlay-link"><div class="image-wrapper"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/99/191099-049-3D99D997.jpg" alt=""><em class="md-play material-icons" data-icon="play_circle_outline"></em></div></a><figcaption class="text-center"><div class="description"><div class="description-text">A tour of Batad and Sagada in the Cordillera area of Luzon, Philippines.</div><div class="credit"><em>Kris Guico (A Britannica Publishing Partner)</em></div></div></figcaption></figure></li></ul></div><p class="md-content-block gutter-bottom">Most of the central plain of Luzon, about 150 by 50 miles (240 by 80 km), is only about 100 feet (30 metres) above sea level. The greater part of southern Luzon is occupied by isolated volcanoes and irregular masses of hills and mountains. The highest peak is <a name="ref387428" id="ref387428" class="idxref"></a><a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Mayon-Volcano"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/371043/Mayon-Volcano">Mayon Volcano</span></a> (8,077 feet [2,462 metres)]), near the city of <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Legaspi"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/334910/Legaspi">Legaspi</span></a> (Legazpi) in Albay province on the island’s <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Bicol-Peninsula"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/64685/Bicol-Peninsula">Bicol Peninsula</span></a> in the southeast.</p><div class="other-media gutter-bottom"><ul><li><figure data-layout="column" class="center-xs middle-xs"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos/Mayon-Volcano-Luzon-Philippines/213207" data-id="213207" data-type="image" class="media-overlay-link"><div class="image-wrapper"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/70/131270-004-28CBC939.jpg" alt=""><em class="material-icons" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></div></a><figcaption class="text-center"><div class="description"><div class="description-text">Mayon Volcano, Luzon, Philippines.</div><div class="credit"><em>Randy C. Bunney</em></div></div></figcaption></figure></li></ul></div><div class="connect md-content-module-right grid-xs-ad-300 text-center"> <div class="md-ad gutter-bottom"> <div class="google-ad-iframe" data-refresh="false" data-info="passback ARTICLE_RR"> <script type="text/javascript"> googletag.pubads().definePassback( '34444486/EB_HOUSE/ARTICLE_RR', [300,250] ) .display(); </script> </div> </div> <div class="xs-hidden"> <div class="subhead md-blue">Connect with Britannica</div> <div class="md-social-toolbar-circle center-xs inverted" data-value="connect"> <a class="ui-icon-facebook center-xs middle-xs" data-provider="facebook" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/" target="_blank"><span>Facebook</span></a> <a class="ui-icon-twitter center-xs middle-xs" data-provider="twitter" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/https://twitter.com/britannica" target="_blank"><span>Twitter</span></a> <a class="ui-icon-youtube-play center-xs middle-xs" data-provider="youtube" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/https://www.youtube.com/c/encyclopaediabritannica" target="_blank"><span>YouTube</span></a> <a class="ui-icon-instagram center-xs middle-xs" data-provider="instagram" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/https://www.instagram.com/britannica/" target="_blank"><span>Instagram</span></a> <a class="ui-icon-pinterest center-xs middle-xs" data-provider="pinterest" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/https://www.pinterest.com/britannica/" target="_blank"><span>Pinterest</span></a> </div></div> </div><p class="md-content-block gutter-bottom">The island of <a name="ref387429" id="ref387429" class="idxref"></a><a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Palawan-island-Philippines"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/439297/Palawan">Palawan</span></a> is about 25 miles (40 km) wide and more than 250 miles (400 km) long; through it extends a range with an average elevation of 4,000 to 5,000 feet (1,200 to 1,500 metres). Each of the <a name="ref387430" id="ref387430" class="idxref"></a><a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Visayan-Islands"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/630313/Visayan-Islands">Visayan Islands</span></a> except Samar and Bohol is <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traversed" class="md-dictionary-link" data-term="traversed">traversed</a> longitudinally by a single range with occasional spurs. Several peaks on Panay and Negros reach a height of 6,000 feet (1,800 metres) or more. <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Mount-Canlaon"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/92634/Mount-Canlaon">Mount Canlaon</span></a> (Canlaon Volcano), on Negros, rises to 8,086 feet (2,465 metres).</p><div class="other-media gutter-bottom"><ul><li><figure data-layout="column" class="center-xs middle-xs"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos/Taytay-Palawan-island-Philippines/114367" data-id="114367" data-type="image" class="media-overlay-link"><div class="image-wrapper"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/09/118509-004-C2BFC637.jpg" alt=""><em class="material-icons" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></div></a><figcaption class="text-center"><div class="description"><div class="description-text">Taytay, Palawan island, Philippines.</div><div class="credit"><em>Andrew Lillis</em></div></div></figcaption></figure></li></ul></div><p class="md-content-block gutter-bottom">There are several important ranges on <a name="ref387431" id="ref387431" class="idxref"></a><a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Mindanao"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/383601/Mindanao">Mindanao</span></a>; the Diuata (Diwata) Mountains along the eastern coast are the most prominent. To the west lies another range that stretches from the centre of the island southward. Farther west the Butig Mountains trend northwestward from the northeastern edge of the Moro Gulf. A range also runs northwest-southeast along the southwestern coast. Near Mindanao’s south-central coast is <a name="ref387433" id="ref387433" class="idxref"></a><a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Mount-Apo"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/29712/Mount-Apo">Mount Apo</span></a>, which at 9,692 feet (2,954 metres) is the highest peak in the Philippines. A number of volcanic peaks surround Lake Sultan Alonto (<a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Lake-Lanao"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/328957/Lake-Lanao">Lake Lanao</span></a>), and a <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/science/cyclone-meteorology"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/148053/cyclone">low</span></a> cordillera extends through the <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Zamboanga-Peninsula"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/655639/Zamboanga-Peninsula">Zamboanga Peninsula</span></a> in the far west.</p><div class="other-media gutter-bottom"><ul><li><figure data-layout="column" class="center-xs middle-xs"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos/Mount-Apo-Mindanao-island-Philippines/213209" data-id="213209" data-type="image" class="media-overlay-link"><div class="image-wrapper"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/17/166817-004-E0FFEE24.jpg" alt=""><em class="material-icons" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></div></a><figcaption class="text-center"><div class="description"><div class="description-text">Mount Apo, Mindanao island, Philippines.</div><div class="credit"><em>Kryzzler</em></div></div></figcaption></figure></li></ul></div><p class="md-content-block gutter-bottom">Although <a name="ref964087" id="ref964087" class="idxref"></a><a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/science/volcano"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/632130/volcano">volcanoes</span></a> are a <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conspicuous" class="md-dictionary-link" data-term="conspicuous">conspicuous</a> feature of the landscape, there is relatively little volcanic activity. There are altogether about 50 volcanoes, of which more than 10 are known to be active. <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Mount-Pinatubo"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/460806/Mount-Pinatubo">Mount Pinatubo</span></a> on Luzon, once regarded as extinct, was in 1991 the site of one of the world’s largest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century. All gradations of volcanoes can be seen, from the almost perfect cone of Mayon, which has been compared to <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Mount-Fuji"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/221527/Mount-Fuji">Mount Fuji</span></a> in <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Japan"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/300531/Japan">Japan</span></a>, to old, worn-down volcanic stocks, the present forms of which give little indication of their origin. The several distinct volcanic areas are in south-central and southern Luzon and on the islands of Negros, Mindanao, <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Jolo-island-Philippines"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/305774/Jolo">Jolo</span></a>, and elsewhere. Tremors and earthquakes are common.</p><div class="other-media gutter-bottom"><ul><li><figure data-layout="column" class="center-xs middle-xs"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos/Gas-and-ash-rising-from-Mount-Pinatubo-central-Luzon-Philippines/102053" data-id="102053" data-type="image" class="media-overlay-link"><div class="image-wrapper"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/61/93161-004-C3C7AF97.jpg" alt=""><em class="material-icons" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></div></a><figcaption class="text-center"><div class="description"><div class="description-text">Gas and ash rising from Mount Pinatubo, central Luzon, Philippines, just prior to eruption in June …</div><div class="credit"><em>David H. Harlow/U.S.Geological Survey</em></div></div></figcaption></figure></li></ul></div></section><section data-level="2" id="toc272971"><h2 class="h3">Drainage</h2><div class="related-topics md-content-module-right grid-xs-ad-300"> <div class="md-ad gutter-bottom"> <div data-refresh="true" id="div-gpt-ad-ee8406a9-52db-4454-8644-8b0250d8b6b6" data-slot="BOT4" class="google-ad-iframe ui-hide-on-modal "> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="display gpt">googletag.cmd.push(function() { headertag.display('div-gpt-ad-ee8406a9-52db-4454-8644-8b0250d8b6b6'); });</script> </div> </div> <div class="xs-hidden"> <div class="subhead">Related Topics</div> <ul class="dots gutter-bottom"> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Leyte-Gulf">Battle of Leyte Gulf</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-II">World War II</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Anglo-American-Chain-of-Command-in-Western-Europe-June-1944-1673115">Anglo-American Chain of Command in Western Europe, June 1944</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Allied-powers-World-War-II">Allied powers</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bataan-Death-March-How-many-marched-and-how-many-died-2010788">Bataan Death March: How many marched and how many died?</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/topic/German-Chain-of-Command-in-Western-Europe-June-1944-1673116">German Chain of Command in Western Europe, June 1944</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/topic/ASEAN">ASEAN</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Code-of-Kalantiyaw">Code of Kalantiyaw</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Moro-National-Liberation-Front">Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Manila-Bay">Battle of Manila Bay</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div><p class="md-content-block gutter-bottom">The most important rivers of the Philippines are the <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Cagayan-River"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/88337/Cagayan-River">Cagayan</span></a>, Agno, <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Pampanga-River"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/440458/Pampanga-River">Pampanga</span></a>, <a name="ref964088" id="ref964088" class="idxref"></a><a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Pasig-River"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/445563/Pasig-River">Pasig</span></a>, and Bicol on Luzon and the <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Mindanao-River"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/383611/Mindanao-River">Mindanao</span></a> (Río Grande de Mindanao) and <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Agusan-River"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/9934/Agusan-River">Agusan</span></a> on Mindanao. The northern plain between the Sierra Madre and the Cordillera Central is drained by the Cagayan, while the central plain is drained in the north by the Agno and in the south by the Pampanga. The Pasig, which flows through the city of Manila, was once commercially important as a nexus for interisland trade but is no longer navigable except by small craft; heavy pollution has required significant cleanup efforts. Most of the Bicol Peninsula lies in the Bicol basin. On Mindanao the Agusan drains the fertile lands of the island’s northeastern quadrant, while the Mindanao River drains the Cotabato Valley in the southwest. One of the Philippines’ most unique waterways lies underground, emerging directly into the ocean at <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Puerto-Princesa"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/482871/Puerto-Princesa">Puerto Princesa</span></a> Subterranean River National Park on the island of Palawan; the park was designated a UNESCO <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/topic/World-Heritage-site"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/648327/World-Heritage-site">World Heritage site</span></a> in 1999.</p><p class="md-content-block gutter-bottom">The largest lake in the archipelago, with an area of 356 square miles (922 square km), is <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Laguna-de-Bay"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/56646/Laguna-de-Bay">Laguna de Bay</span></a>, on the island of Luzon. Also on Luzon and just to the southwest of Laguna de Bay is <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Taal-Lake"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/579618/Taal-Lake">Taal Lake</span></a>, which occupies 94 square miles (244 square km) inside a volcanic crater; a volcanic cone emerges from the lake’s centre. Lake Sultan Alonto on Mindanao is the country’s second largest lake, covering an area of 131 square miles (340 square km).</p><div class="other-media gutter-bottom"><ul><li><figure data-layout="column" class="center-xs middle-xs"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos/Volcano-Island-in-the-centre-of-Taal-Lake-southwestern-Luzon/102054" data-id="102054" data-type="image" class="media-overlay-link"><div class="image-wrapper"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/72/93172-004-1D0FFA9D.jpg" alt=""><em class="material-icons" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></div></a><figcaption class="text-center"><div class="description"><div class="description-text">Volcano Island in the centre of Taal Lake, southwestern Luzon, Philippines.</div><div class="credit"><em>Peter Mouginis-Mark, Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawaii</em></div></div></figcaption></figure></li></ul></div></section><section data-level="2" id="toc272972"><h2 class="h3">Soils</h2><p class="md-content-block gutter-bottom">The alluvial plains and terraces of Luzon and Mindoro have dark black cracking clays, as well as younger soils that are especially suitable for rice cultivation. Much of the land of the hilly and mountainous regions consists of moist, fertile soils, often with a significant concentration of volcanic ash, that support fruit trees and pineapples. Oil palms, vegetables, and other crops are grown in the peatlike areas, as well as in the younger, sand-based soils of the coastal plains, marshes, and lake regions. The dark, organic, mineral-rich soils of the undulating terrain of the Bicol Peninsula, much of the Visayas, and the northwest tip of Luzon are used to grow coffee, bananas, and other crops. Highly weathered, often red or yellow soils are prominent in the central and southern Philippines and are typically planted with cassava (manioc) and sugarcane; these soils also support forests for timber harvesting. The poor, precipitation-leached soils of Palawan and the eastern mountains of Luzon are largely covered with shrubs, bushes, and other secondary growth that typically emerges in areas that have been cleared of their original forest cover.</p><div class="other-media gutter-bottom"><ul><li><figure data-layout="column" class="center-xs middle-xs"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos/Coffee-plantation-Basilan-Island-Philippines/8761" data-id="8761" data-type="image" class="media-overlay-link"><div class="image-wrapper"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/07/6307-004-243BA3B5.jpg" alt=""><em class="material-icons" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></div></a><figcaption class="text-center"><div class="description"><div class="description-text">Coffee plantation, Basilan Island, Philippines</div><div class="credit"><em>Ted Spiegel—Rapho/Photo Researchers</em></div></div></figcaption></figure></li></ul></div></section><section data-level="2" id="toc23726"><h2 class="h3">Climate</h2><p class="md-content-block gutter-bottom">The <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/science/climate-meteorology"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/121560/climate">climate</span></a> of the Philippines is tropical and strongly monsoonal (i.e., wet-dry). In general, rain-bearing winds blow from the southwest from approximately May to October, and drier winds come from the northeast from November to February. Thus, temperatures remain relatively constant from north to south during the year, and seasons consist of periods of wet and dry. Throughout the country, however, there are considerable variations in the frequency and amount of precipitation. The western shores facing the South China Sea have the most marked dry and wet seasons. The dry season generally begins in December and ends in May, the first three months being cool and the second three hot; the rest of the year <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constitutes" class="md-dictionary-link" data-term="constitutes">constitutes</a> the wet season. The dry season shortens progressively to the east until it ceases to occur. During the wet season, rainfall is heavy in all parts of the archipelago except for an area extending southward through the centre of the Visayan group to central Mindanao and then southwestward through the Sulu Archipelago; rain is heaviest along the eastern shores facing the Pacific Ocean.</p><p class="md-content-block gutter-bottom">From June to December <a name="ref964089" id="ref964089" class="idxref"></a><a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/science/tropical-cyclone"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/606551/tropical-cyclone">tropical cyclones</span></a> (typhoons) often strike the Philippines. Most of these storms come from the southeast, their frequency generally increasing from south to north; in some years the number of cyclones reaches 25 or more. Typhoons are heaviest in Samar, Leyte, south-central Luzon, and the Batan Islands, and, when accompanied by floods or high winds, they may cause great loss of life and property. Mindanao is generally free from such storms.</p><p class="md-content-block gutter-bottom">November through February constitutes the most agreeable season; the air is cool and invigorating at night, and the days are pleasant and sunny. During the hot part of the dry season in most places—especially in the cities of Cebu, <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Davao-City"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/152463/Davao-City">Davao</span></a>, and Manila—the temperature sometimes rises as high as 100 °F (38 °C). Overall temperatures decline with elevation, however, and cities and towns located at higher elevations—such as <a class="md-crosslink" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Baguio"><span property="about" href="https://semantic.britannica.com/accepted_headword/core/48887/Baguio">Baguio</span></a> in northern Luzon, Majayjay and Lucban south of Manila, and Malaybalay in central Mindanao—experience a pleasant climate throughout the year; at times the temperature in those places dips close to 40 °F (4 °C).</p></section></section><div class="md-pagination"> <div class="grid grid-gutter-right middle-xs"> <div class="pagination-control grid-xs" data-value="previous"> </div> <div class="grid-xs-shrink text-center"> <div class="activate-toc md-button md-primary md-button-block" data-value="footer"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </div> </div> <div class="pagination-control grid-xs text-right" data-value="next"> <a class="grid no-gutter" href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Plant-and-animal-life"> <div class="grid-xs"> <small>Next page</small> Plant and animal life</div> <div class="grid-xs-shrink middle-xs"> <em class="material-icons md-36" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em> </div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> <div class="md-content-footer"> <div class="footer-feedback-link md-link"> <div class="md-feedback-cta grid no-gutter"> <div class="feedback grid-xs-shrink middle-xs"> <div class="title"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="chat"></em> Feedback </div> </div> <div class="description grid-xs"> <span>Corrections? 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Help us improve this article!</span> <span>Contact our editors with your feedback.</span> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Additional Media</h2> <div class="md-view-all-media"> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos" class="view-all center-xs middle-xs"> <div class="text text-center"> View<br/> all<br/> media </div> <em class="material-icons md-36" data-icon="chevron_right"></em> </a> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos/Volunteers-search-for-the-passengers-of-the-ferry-St-Thomas/186562" class="media-overlay-link" data-id="186562"> <div class="image-wrapper"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/22/173222-004-499E8CA5.jpg" alt="Volunteers search for the passengers of the ferry St. Thomas Aquinas near the damaged cargo ship Sulpicio Express 7 off Cebu island in the Philippines; on August 16 the ferry was struck by the cargo ship and sank, leaving 75 passengers dead and 45 missing."/> </div> </a> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos/Map-of-Super-Typhoon-Haiyan/186029" class="media-overlay-link" data-id="186029"> <div class="image-wrapper"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/57/172257-004-98461BA1.jpg" alt="Map of Super Typhoon Haiyan"/> </div> </a> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos/Dates-of-2008/120509" class="media-overlay-link" data-id="120509"> <div class="image-wrapper"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/09/126009-004-8C8C5D40.jpg" alt="Philippine Coast Guard rescue personnel approach the bow of the sunken ferry MV Princess of the Stars off the coast of central Sibuyan island on June 23, 2008."/> </div> </a> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos/Spotlight-The-Spat-over-the-Spratlys/62164" class="media-overlay-link" data-id="62164"> <div class="image-wrapper"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/39/6139-004-7F7AABCE.jpg" alt="Spratly Islands."/> </div> </a> <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/images-videos/Countries-affected-by-IMF/18866" class="media-overlay-link" data-id="18866"> <div class="image-wrapper"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542im_/https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/50/22850-004-DC273F0A.jpg" alt="Countries affected by IMF."/> </div> </a> </div> <div class="md-more-about"> <h2>More about <span>Philippines</span></h2> <div class="gisted-more-about md-content-block"> <div class="md-more-about-subtitle">24 References found in Britannica Articles</div><div class="index-entry-main"><strong>Assorted References</strong></div><ul class="dots"><li>education (<em>in </em><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/topic/education/Reform-trends#ref303580">education: Southeast Asia</a>) (<em>in </em><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/topic/education/Reform-trends#ref303591">education: Philippines</a>) </li><li>flag history (<em>in </em><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-the-Philippines#ref949893">flag of the Philippines</a>) </li><li>history (<em>in </em><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-Philippines">history of Philippines</a>) </li><li>language (<em>in </em><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Philippine-languages">Philippine languages</a>) </li></ul><div class="index-entry-main"><strong>agriculture and forestry</strong></div><ul class="dots"><li>abaca production (<em>in </em><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/plant/abaca#ref286706">abaca</a>) </li><li>copra production (<em>in </em><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/plant/coconut-palm#ref151447">coconut palm</a>) </li><li>land reform (<em>in </em><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/topic/land-reform/Mexico#ref320337">land reform: Southeast Asia</a>) </li></ul><div class="index-entry-main"><strong>arts</strong></div><ul class="dots"><li>Southeast Asian arts (<em>in </em><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/art/Southeast-Asian-arts#ref402210">Southeast Asian arts</a>) </li><li>theatre (<em>in </em><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/art/theater-building/Developments-in-Asia#ref463863">theatre (building): Bali</a>) </li></ul><div class="more-index text-center gutter-bottom"><button class="md-button more-about-more">View More</button></div></div> <div class="full-more-about md-content-block template-ajax-loaded-content"></div> </div> <div class="md-info-accordion"> <h2 id="Additional-Reading" class="md-accordion-title no-ad" data-url="/ajax/topic/456399/article-bibliography">Additional Reading</h2> <div class="md-accordion md-content-block template-ajax-loaded-content BIBLIOGRAPHY"></div> <h2 id="External-Links" class="md-accordion-title no-ad" data-url="/ajax/topic/456399/article-websites">External Links</h2> <div class="md-accordion md-content-block template-ajax-loaded-content WEBSITES"><div class="md-content-box-subcontent"> <ul class="md-external-websites"> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rp.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CIA - The World Factbook - Philippines</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/philippines/intro.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">GlobalSecurity.org - Philippines</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/facts-about-philippines-2219.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Iloveindia.com - Philippines</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vjw/philippines.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jewish Virtual Library - Philippines</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://www.mapsofworld.com/philippines/" target="_blank">Maps of World - Philippines</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/philippines-guide/" target="_blank">National Geographic - Travel and Cultures - Philippines</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://philembassy.be/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Official Site of The Embassy of Philippine in Belgium</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://www.tourism.gov.ph/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Official Site of the Department of Tourism , Philippines</a> <span class="md-external-website-review">"Collection of documents on NATO's initiative. Includes founding documents, fact sheets describing PFP and the North Atlantic Action Council, annual organizational workplans, and other relevant documents, indexed by country."</span></li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://spartacus-educational.com/2WWphilippines.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Spartacus Educational - The Philippines</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12010a.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Catholic Encyclopedia - Philippine Islands</a> </li> </ul> </div> <h3 class="md-topic-subpage-title">Britannica Web sites</h3> <p class="bps-topic-student-sites">Articles from Britannica encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.</p><dl class="bps-topic-web-sites bps-lk-student"><dt><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://kids.britannica.com/ebk/article-9345767/Philippines" target="_blank">Philippines - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)</a></dt><dd><p>The Republic of the Philippines is a country of Southeast Asia. It is made up of about 7,100 islands in the western Pacific Ocean. The capital is Manila.</p></dd><dt><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/http://kids.britannica.com/ebi/article-9276395/Philippines" target="_blank">Philippines - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)</a></dt><dd><p>A country of Southeast Asia, the Republic of the Philippines consists of more than 7,000 islands and islets in the western Pacific Ocean. It lies about 500 miles (800 kilometers) off the coast of Vietnam. The capital, Manila, is located on Luzon, the largest island. Area 115,831 square miles (300,000 square kilometers). Population (2015 est.) 101,762,000.</p></dd></dl></div> <h2 id="Article-Contributors" class="md-accordion-title no-ad" data-url="/ajax/topic/456399/article-contributors">Article Contributors</h2> <div class="md-accordion md-content-block template-ajax-loaded-content CONTRIBUTORS"></div> <h2 id="Article-History" class="md-accordion-title no-ad" data-url="/ajax/topic/456399/article-history">Article History</h2> <div class="md-accordion md-content-block template-ajax-loaded-content HISTORY"></div> </div> </div> </div> <aside class="grid-xs-ad-300 md-hidden"></aside> </div> </div></div></div> </div> <noscript> </noscript> <div id="md-media-overlay" class="ui-hidden"> <a href="#" class="md-media-overlay-close" title="Close"> <em class="material-icons md-36" data-icon="close"></em> </a> <div class="md-media-overlay-title"> <div class="subtitle">MEDIA FOR:</div> <div class="maintitle">Philippines</div> </div> <div class="md-media-overlay-content-container"> <a href="#" class="md-media-overlay-arrow md-media-overlay-previous" title="Previous media"><em class="material-icons md-48" data-icon="chevron_left"><span>Previous</span></em></a> <div id="md-media-container" data-layout="column" class="md-media-wrapper center-xs middle-xs"></div> <a href="#" class="md-media-overlay-arrow md-media-overlay-next" title="Next media"><em class="material-icons md-48" data-icon="chevron_right"><span>Next</span></em></a> <div id="md-media-overlay-caption"> <div id="md-media-overlay-count"></div> <div id="md-media-overlay-caption-title"></div> <div class="md-media-overlay-credit-caption fancy-scrollbar white"> <div id="md-media-overlay-caption-text"></div> <div id="md-media-overlay-credit"></div> <div id="md-media-overlay-license"></div> </div> <div class="md-social-toolbar-circle center-xs inverted colored" data-value="share" title="Philippines"> <a class="ui-icon-facebook center-xs middle-xs" data-provider="facebook" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/" target="_blank"><span>Facebook</span></a> <a class="ui-icon-twitter center-xs middle-xs" data-provider="twitter" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/https://twitter.com/britannica" target="_blank"><span>Twitter</span></a> <a class="ui-icon-gplus center-xs middle-xs" data-provider="googleplus" href target="_blank"><span>Google+</span></a> <a class="ui-icon-linkedin center-xs middle-xs" data-provider="linkedin" href target="_blank"><span>LinkedIn</span></a> <a class="ui-icon-pinterest center-xs middle-xs" data-provider="pinterest" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/https://www.pinterest.com/britannica/" target="_blank"><span>Pinterest</span></a> </div></div> <div class="md-media-overlay-toolbar"> <a id="md-media-overlay-toolbar-print" href="#" target="_blank" title="Print" rel="nofollow"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="print"></em></a> <span id="md-media-overlay-toolbar-citations" title="Citation"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="bookmark"></em></span> <span id="md-media-overlay-toolbar-email" title="Email"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="mail_outline"></em></span> </div> <div id="md-media-overlay-citations" class="md-media-overlay-box ui-hidden"> <div class="md-media-overlay-citations-menu"> <div id="md-media-overlay-citations-close" class="md-media-overlay-box-close"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="close"></em></div> <em>Citation</em> <ul class="md-media-overlay-citations-select"> <li data-value="mla">MLA</li> <li data-value="apa">APA</li> <li data-value="harvard">Harvard</li> <li data-value="chicago">Chicago</li> </ul> </div> <div id="md-media-overlay-citations-text"></div> </div> <div id="md-media-overlay-email" class="md-media-overlay-box ui-hidden"> <em>Email</em> <div id="md-media-overlay-email-close" class="md-media-overlay-box-close"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="close"></em></div> <form id="md-media-overlay-email-form"> <input type="hidden" name="assembly_id"/> <input type="hidden" name="page_id"/> <label for="md-media-overlay-email-to">To:</label> <input type="text" id="md-media-overlay-email-to" name="to" placeholder="Enter an email address" required="true" data-validation="email"/> <label for="md-media-overlay-email-from">From:</label> <input type="text" id="md-media-overlay-email-from" name="from" placeholder="Enter an email address" required="true" data-validation="email"/> <label for="md-media-overlay-email-comment">Comment:</label> <textarea id="md-media-overlay-email-comment" name="comment" placeholder="Add a comment"></textarea> <input type="submit" value="SEND"/> </form> </div> <div id="md-media-overlay-submit-email" class="md-media-overlay-box ui-hidden"> <div class="md-media-overlay-submit-email-ok ui-hidden">You have successfully emailed this.</div> <div class="md-media-overlay-submit-email-error">Error when sending the email. 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class="material-icons" type="submit">search</button> </form> </div> </div> </div> <div class="topic-title-container gray grid-xs xs-hidden middle-xs has-toc"> <div class="topic-title-wrapper"> <div class="topic-title">Philippines</div></div> <div data-layout-sm="column" class="md-toc-toggle grid-xs middle-xs" data-popover=".md-table-of-contents"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="toc"></em> <div class="title"> <small> <span class="lg-visible md-visible">Table of Contents</span> <span class="lg-hidden md-hidden">Contents</span> </small> <div class="section md-visible lg-visible"></div> </div> </div> <div class="md-table-of-contents md-popover"> <ul class="toc-ul"><li class="lv1" data-section="456399main" data-toc="toc456399main"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines">Introduction</a></li><li class="lv1" data-section="456399main" data-toc="toc23724"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines#toc23724">Land</a><ul><li class="lv2" data-section="456399main" data-toc="toc23725"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines#toc23725">Relief</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="456399main" data-toc="toc272971"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines#toc272971">Drainage</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="456399main" data-toc="toc272972"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines#toc272972">Soils</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="456399main" data-toc="toc23726"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines#toc23726">Climate</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23727" data-toc="toc23727"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Plant-and-animal-life">Plant and animal life</a></li></ul></li><li class="lv1" data-section="23727" data-toc="toc23729"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Plant-and-animal-life#toc23729">People</a><ul><li class="lv2" data-section="23727" data-toc="toc23730"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Plant-and-animal-life#toc23730">Ethnic groups</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23727" data-toc="toc23731"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Plant-and-animal-life#toc23731">Languages</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23727" data-toc="toc23732"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Plant-and-animal-life#toc23732">Religion</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23727" data-toc="toc23728"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Plant-and-animal-life#toc23728">Settlement patterns</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23733" data-toc="toc23733"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Demographic-trends">Demographic trends</a></li></ul></li><li class="lv1" data-section="23733" data-toc="toc23734"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Demographic-trends#toc23734">Economy</a><ul><li class="lv2" data-section="23733" data-toc="toc272975"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Demographic-trends#toc272975">Agriculture, forestry, and fishing</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23735" data-toc="toc23735"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Resources-and-power">Resources and power</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23735" data-toc="toc23737"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Resources-and-power#toc23737">Manufacturing</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23735" data-toc="toc272976"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Resources-and-power#toc272976">Finance</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23735" data-toc="toc272977"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Resources-and-power#toc272977">Trade</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23735" data-toc="toc272978"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Resources-and-power#toc272978">Services</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23735" data-toc="toc272979"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Resources-and-power#toc272979">Labour and taxation</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23735" data-toc="toc23743"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Resources-and-power#toc23743">Transportation and telecommunications</a></li></ul></li><li class="lv1" data-section="23735" data-toc="toc23744"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Resources-and-power#toc23744">Government and society</a><ul><li class="lv2" data-section="23735" data-toc="toc272980"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Resources-and-power#toc272980">Constitutional framework</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="272981" data-toc="toc272981"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Local-government">Local government</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="272981" data-toc="toc23749"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Local-government#toc23749">Justice</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="272981" data-toc="toc272982"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Local-government#toc272982">Political process</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="272981" data-toc="toc23750"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Local-government#toc23750">Security</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="272981" data-toc="toc23752"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Local-government#toc23752">Health and welfare</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="272981" data-toc="toc272983"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Local-government#toc272983">Housing</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="272981" data-toc="toc23751"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Local-government#toc23751">Education</a></li></ul></li><li class="lv1" data-section="23753" data-toc="toc23753"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Cultural-life">Cultural life</a><ul><li class="lv2" data-section="23753" data-toc="toc272984"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Cultural-life#toc272984">Cultural milieu</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23753" data-toc="toc272985"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Cultural-life#toc272985">Daily life and social customs</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23753" data-toc="toc272986"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Cultural-life#toc272986">The arts</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23753" data-toc="toc23755"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Cultural-life#toc23755">Cultural institutions</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="272987" data-toc="toc272987"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Sports-and-recreation">Sports and recreation</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="272987" data-toc="toc23756"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Sports-and-recreation#toc23756">Media and publishing</a></li></ul></li><li class="lv1" data-section="272987" data-toc="toc214501"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Sports-and-recreation#toc214501">History</a><ul><li class="lv2" data-section="272987" data-toc="toc23713"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Sports-and-recreation#toc23713">Pre-Spanish history</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23714" data-toc="toc23714"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/The-Spanish-period">The Spanish period</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23715" data-toc="toc23715"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/The-19th-century">The 19th century</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23715" data-toc="toc23716"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/The-19th-century#toc23716">The Philippine Revolution</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23717" data-toc="toc23717"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/The-period-of-US-influence">The period of U.S. influence</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23717" data-toc="toc23718"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/The-period-of-US-influence#toc23718">World War II</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23719" data-toc="toc23719"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/The-early-republic">The early republic</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23719" data-toc="toc23720"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/The-early-republic#toc23720">The Marcos and early post-Marcos era</a></li><li class="lv2" data-section="23721" data-toc="toc272974"><a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Martial-law#toc272974">The Philippines since <em>c.</em> 1990</a></li></ul></li></ul></div></div> <div class="additional-tools gray grid-xs-shrink center-xs 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Borlaza</a> and <a href="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/contributor/Carolina-G-Hernandez/5849">Carolina G. Hernandez</a></li> <li> <strong>Article Title:</strong> Philippines</li> <li> <strong>Website Name:</strong> Encyclopædia Britannica </li> <li> <strong>Publisher:</strong> Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. </li> <li> <strong>Date Published:</strong> October 24, 2016</li> <li> <strong>URL:</strong> https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines</li> <li> <strong>Access Date:</strong> November 28, 2016</li> </ul> </div> </div></div> <div class="md-nav-item share" data-popover=".share-popover"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="share"></em> <div class="xs-hidden">Share</div> <div class="share-popover md-popover text-left"> <div class="popover-body"> <div class="title">Share</div> <div class="md-social-toolbar-circle center-xs inverted" data-value="share"> <a class="ui-icon-facebook center-xs middle-xs" data-provider="facebook" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/" target="_blank"><span>Facebook</span></a> <a class="ui-icon-twitter center-xs middle-xs" data-provider="twitter" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161128221542/https://twitter.com/britannica" target="_blank"><span>Twitter</span></a> <a class="ui-icon-gplus center-xs middle-xs" data-provider="googleplus" href target="_blank"><span>Google+</span></a> <a class="ui-icon-linkedin center-xs middle-xs" data-provider="linkedin" href target="_blank"><span>LinkedIn</span></a> <a class="ui-icon-mail center-xs middle-xs" data-email target="_blank"><span>Email</span></a> </div></div> </div></div> <div class="md-nav-item feedback xs-hidden" data-popover=".feedback-popover"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="chat"></em> <div class="xs-hidden">Feedback</div> <div class="feedback-popover md-popover text-left"> <div class="popover-body"> <form method="post" action="/web/20161128221542/https://www.britannica.com/submission/feedback/456399"> <div class="title">Feedback</div> <label for="feedback">Corrections? 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