Boundaries:	Bachi Chanel to the North, South China Sea to the West, Celebes Sea to the South, Pacific Ocean to the East
Islands:	7,107
Inhabited:	2,000
Land area:	298,170 sq. Km
Water area:	1,830 sq. Km
Coastline:	36,289 Km
Climate:	tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April), southwest Monsoon (May to October)
Terrain:	mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
People:	Malayo-Indonesian stock with infusions of Chinese, Spanish, American, other European, South American and Asian blood.
Language:	Filipino (Tagalog) and English
Religion:	Roman Catholics - 85%, Muslims - 5%, Other Christian Denominations - 10%

The world's second largest archipelago of 7,107 islands and islets stretches over 1,850 Km from north to south and 1,107 Km from east to west, characterized by coastal plains, rich interior valleys, rolling hills, high mountains mostly volcanic.

5000 B.C.	land bridges connecting the Philippines to the Asian continent sank into the ocean
1500 - 500 B.C.	immigration from Indo-China; building of the Rice Terraces
500 B.C. - 1500 A.D.	immigration of Malayan people
800 - 1377	Indian influences from Srivijaya empire in Sumatra
1293 - 1478	Indian influences from Majapahit empire in Java
960 - 1280	Influences from the Sung Dynasty; commerce with China
1380	propagation of Islam in Sulu and Tapul islands
1521	arrival of Spanish colonizers; introduction of Christianity
1898	declaration of Independence from Spain
1946	full Independence from the United States