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The
Philippine Archipelago has 7,000 islands which
lies between 21 degrees and 5 degrees north
latitude in the Western Pacific. Spreading
115,830 square miles in total land area, it
extends northward toward Taiwan and Borneo to
the south. On the west is the China sea and on
the east the Pacific Ocean. The physical terrain
is varied. Mountain ranges run through the
entire island chain, contrasting sharply with
the rich green lower slopes and coastal plains
suited for agriculture. Early travelers saw
these islands as gems and called the archipelago
"Pearl of the Orient". Fewer than a third of the
islands are inhabited and the largest 11 account
for 95% of the total land area. |
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The
Philippines is divided into three main areas:
Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Luzon being the
largest, is the most populated. Manila with it's
strategic location is the center of commerce and
government. To the south of Luzon is a group of
islands called the Visayas. Its most important
islands are Cebu, Leyte, Negros, Samar, Bohol,
and Panay. The City of Cebu is the areas
business and industrial center. Further south is
the country's second largest island, Mindanao.
It's the country richest in terms of natural
resources. Muslims Filipino communities flourish
here. Despite the present day dominance of
Christian settlers, Mindanao remains culturally
seperate. |
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The Philippines is generally warm with an
average temperature of 80 degrees farenhiet.
There are only two seasons which can be
classified as wet and dry season. The months of
March to June are hot and dry; July to October
are extremely wet, while November to February
are pleasantly cool and dry. |
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The Philippines is rich in minerals, especially
copper, gold, iron, chormite, nickel and coal.
About half of the Philippines is covered with
forest and 35% is agriculture land. Agriculture
is the basis of economic life in the Philippines
although the industries are gaining ground.
Rice, coffee, rubber, corn, fruits and
vegetables are produced for domestic consumption
while coconut, abaca, sugarcane, tobacco and
pineapples are grown for export. Forest products
are also a main source of revenue while
manufacturing, mainly processing raw materials
for export and producing consumer goods for the
local market attracts foreign investors. Fishing
and aquaculture are also important industries
especially after discovering it's potential
market in Asia, particularly in Japan. |
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The Philippines has more than 70 languages and
dialects, nine of which serve as major languages
and are spoken by 89% of the population.
Filipino, which is the Philippine national
language. It is spoken by people in Metro Manila
as well as the southern Luzon Tagalog provinces
and is understood by 90% of the population. It
is also slowly becoming the language of
instruction and will eventually become the
official language in government. English is the
widest used foreign language simply because it
has been the language of instruction for nearly
eight decades. It is still the language of
instruction in higher learning and is still
largely the language of government and mass
media. Before 1987, Spanish was a required
subject in school. At present, spanish speakers
have become rare although most Filipinos have a
working knowledge of the language. Filipino, the
language, is liberally laced with spanish words. |
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Filipino children have few toys but a lot of
playmates. Toys being expensive and not
affordable to everyone, children find ways to
amuse themselves by going to their backyards or
to the street and indulge in games like:
sungka(shells or stones put into holes),
siklot(a local version of jackstones),
sipa(kicking a palm or paper ball) or fly a
kite. Adults on the other hand play mahjong,
which is a game derived from the chinese or
bingo just to pass their time. Animal
competition is just as popular. Cockfighting
though has become an institution in Philippine
sports. But wether it is spending an evening out
at a concert or watching competition of sorts,
the bottom line is Filipino love to be
entertained. |
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| National Anthem: |
Lupang Hinirang
(Beloved Country) |
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National Bird: |
Philipppine Eagle |
| National Hero: |
Dr. Jose Rizal |
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National Flower: |
Sampaguita |
| National Fish: |
Bangus
(Milkfish) |
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National Custom: |
Barong Tagalog (Male)
Baro't Saya (Female) |
| National Fruit: |
Mangga (Mango) |
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National Animal: |
Carabao (Water
Buffalo) |
| National Tree: |
Narra |
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National Leaf: |
Anahaw |
| National House: |
Bahay Kubo
(Nipa Hut) |
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National Dance: |
Tinikling
(Bamboo Dance) |
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