Philippines
archipelagic country in Southeast Asia
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World Factbook
CIA reference data · 4 sections
Geography
Location
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Climate
tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
Terrain
mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
Natural resources
timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper
People & Society
Religions
Roman Catholic 78.8%, Muslim 6.4%, Iglesia ni Cristo 2.6%, other Christian 3.9%, other 8.2%, none/unspecified <0.1 (2020 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Independence
4 July 1946 (from the US)
National holiday
Independence Day, 12 June (1898)
Legal system
mixed system of civil, common, Islamic (sharia), and customary law
Economy
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.202 trillion (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$10,400 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
5.7% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
3.2% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
2.2% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
China 19%, USA 13%, Hong Kong 12%, Japan 11%, Germany 5% (2023)
Imports - partners
China 25%, Indonesia 8%, Japan 8%, S. Korea 6%, USA 6% (2023)
Source: CIA World Factbook · public domain (US gov work, 17 USC §105) · fetched 2026-05-06
Summary
Philippines is a sovereign state[1]. Philippines ranks in the top 8% of sovereign state entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (176,444 views/month).[2]
Key Facts
- Ethnic group: Tagalog people[3], Cebuano people[4], Ilocano[5], Visayans[6], Hiligaynon people[7], Bicolano people[8], Waray people[9]
- Religion or worldview: Catholicism[10], Islam[11], Christianity[12]
- Country: Philippines[13]
- Located in or next to body of water: West Philippine Sea[14], Philippine Sea[15], Celebes Sea[16]
- Head of government: Bongbong Marcos[17]
- Continent: Asia[18]
- Instance of: archipelagic state[19], country[20], island country[21]
- Head of state: Bongbong Marcos[22]
- Capital: Manila[23]
- Official language: Filipino[24], English[25], Taglish[26]
- Currency: Philippine peso[27]
- Shares border with: People's Republic of China[28], Indonesia[29], Japan[30], Malaysia[31], Palau[32], Taiwan[33]
- Top-level Internet domain: .ph[34]
- Anthem: Lupang Hinirang[35]
- Basic form of government: republic[36]
- Named after: Philip II of Spain[37]
- Contains the administrative territorial entity: Ilocos Region[38], Cagayan Valley[39], Central Luzon[40], Calabarzon[41], Mimaropa[42], Bicol Region[43], Western Visayas[44], Central Visayas[45], Eastern Visayas[46], Zamboanga Peninsula[47], Northern Mindanao[48], Davao Region[49], Soccsksargen[50], Caraga[51]
- Flag: flag of the Philippines[52]
- Legislative body: Congress of the Philippines[53]
- Executive body: Government of the Philippines[54]
- Highest judicial authority: Supreme Court of the Philippines[55]
- Coat of arms: coat of arms of the Philippines[56]
Body
Cultural Significance
Things named for Philippines include Rafflesia philippensis[57], a taxon[58].
Why It Matters
Philippines has Wikipedia articles in 30 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[59] Philippines is known by 59 alternative names across languages and contexts.[60]
Entities named for Philippines include Rafflesia philippensis[57], a taxon[58].