Geography   Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total area: land area: comparative area: 300,000 sq km 298,170 sq km slightly larger than Arizona Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 36,289 km Maritime claims:  measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in breadth International disputes: involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; claims Malaysian state of Sabah 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 Land use: arable land: permanent crops: meadows and pastures:  forest and woodland:  other:   26%  11% 4% 40% 19% Irrigated land: 16,200 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: natural hazards: international agreements:   uncontrolled deforestation in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in Manila; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps which are important fish breeding grounds astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; subject to landslides, active volcanoes, destructive earthquakes, tsunamis international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Climate Change, Tropical Timber party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands People   Population: 73,265,584 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 15-64 years: 65 years and over:   38% (female 13,841,552; male 14,214,234) 58% (female 21,603,818; male 20,923,307)  4% (female 1,425,706; male 1,256,967) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate:  2.23% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 30.42 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate:  6.97 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate:  -1.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate:  49.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: male: female: 3.35 children born/woman (1994 est.)  65.65 years  63.16 years  68.25 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate:  3.81 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: adjective:   Filipino(s) Philippine Ethnic divisions: Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3% Religions:  Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3% Languages:  Pilipino (official; based on Tagalog), English (official) Literacy: total population: male: female: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) 94% 94% 93%  Labor force: by occupation: 24.12 million agriculture 46%, industry and commerce 16%, services 18.5%, government 10%, other 9.5% (1989) Government Names: conventional long form: conventional short form: local long form: local short form:  Republic of the Philippines Philippines Republika ng Pilipinas Pilipinas Digraph: RP Type:  republic Capital: Manila Administrative divisions: 72 provinces and 61 chartered cities*; Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Angeles*, Antique, Aurora, Bacolod*, Bago*, Baguio*, Bais*, Basilan, Basilan City*, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Batangas City*, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Butuan*, Cabanatuan*, Cadiz*, Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro*, Calbayog*, Caloocan*, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Canlaon*, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cavite City*, Cebu, Cebu City*, Cotabato*, Dagupan*, Danao*, Dapitan*, Davao City* Davao, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dipolog*, Dumaguete*, Eastern Samar, General Santos*, Gingoog*, Ifugao, Iligan*, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Iloilo City*, Iriga*, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, La Carlota*, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Laoag*, Lapu-Lapu*, La Union, Legaspi*, Leyte, Lipa*, Lucena*, Maguindanao, Mandaue*, Manila*, Marawi*, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Naga*, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Olongapo*, Ormoc*, Oroquieta*, Ozamis*, Pagadian*, Palawan, Palayan*, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Pasay*, Puerto Princesa*, Quezon, Quezon City*, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Roxas*, Samar, San Carlos* (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos* (in Pangasinan), San Jose*, San Pablo*, Silay*, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao*, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacloban*, Tagaytay*, Tagbilaran*, Tangub*, Tarlac, Tawitawi, Toledo*, Trece Martires*, Zambales, Zamboanga*, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur Independence: 4 July 1946 (from US) National holiday:  Independence Day, 12 June (1898) (from Spain) Constitution:  2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987 Legal system: based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 15 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state and head of government:   cabinet:  President Fidel Valdes RAMOS (since 30 June 1992); Vice President Joseph Ejercito ESTRADA (since 30 June 1992); election last held 11 May 1992 (next to be held NA May 1998); results - Fidel Valdes RAMOS won 23.6% of the vote, a narrow plurality   Executive Secretary; appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission of Appointments  Legislative branch:   Senate (Senado): House of Representatives (Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan):     bicameral Congress (Kongreso) elections last held 11 May 1992 (next to be held NA May 1995); results - LDP 66%, NPC 20%, Lakas/NUCD 8%, Liberal 6%; seats - (24 total) LDP 15, NPC 5, Lakas/NUCD 2, Liberal 1, independent 1 elections last held 11 May 1992 (next to be held NA May 1995); results - LDP 43.5%; Lakas/NUCD 25%, NPC 23.5%, Liberal 5%, KBL 3%; seats - (200 total) LDP 87, NPC 45, Lakas/NUCD 41, Liberal 15, NP 6, KBL 3, independents 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Democratic Filipino Struggle (Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipinas, LDP), Edgardo ESPIRITU; People Power-National Union of Christian Democrats (Lakas ng Edsa, NUCD and Partido Lakas Tao, Lakas/NUCD); Fidel V. RAMOS, President of the Republic, Raul MANGLAPUS, Jose DE VENECIA, secretary general; Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), Eduardo COJUANGCO; Liberal Party, Jovito SALONGA; People's Reform Party (PRP), Miriam DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO; New Society Movement (Kilusan Bagong Lipunan; KBL), Imelda MARCOS; Nacionalista Party (NP), Salvador H. LAUREL, president Member of: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: chancery: telephone: FAX: consulate(s) general: consulate(s): Ambassador Raul Chaves RABE 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036  [1] (202) 467-9300  [1] (202) 328-7614 Agana (Guam), Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle San Diego and San Jose (Saipan)  US diplomatic representation: chief of mission:   embassy: mailing address:  telephone:  FAX: consulate(s): Ambassador John D. NEGROPONTE 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita Manila 1000  APO AP 96440  [63] (2) 521-71-16  [63] (2) 522-43-61  Cebu Flag: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a small yellow five-pointed star Economy   Overview: Domestic output in this primarily agricultural economy failed to grow in 1992 and rose only slightly in 1993. Drought and power supply problems hampered production, while inadequate revenues prevented government pump priming. Worker remittances helped to supplement GDP. A marked increase in capital goods imports, particularly power generating equipment, telecommunications equipment, and electronic data processors, contributed to 20% annual import growth in 1992-94. Provided the government can cope with the substantial trade deficit and meet the fiscal targets agreed to with the IMF, the Philippines should duplicate the strong growth performance of 1994 in 1995-96. National product:  GDP - purchasing power parity - $161.4 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate:  4.3% (1994 est.) National product per capita:  $2,310 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices):   7.1% (1994 est.)   Unemployment rate:  9% (1994) Budget: revenues: expenditures: $14 billion $15.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94/95 est.) Exports: commodities: partners: $13.4 billion (f.o.b., 1994) electronics, textiles, coconut products, cooper, fish US 39%, Japan 16%, Germany 5%, Hong Kong 5%, UK 4% (1993) Imports: commodities: partners: $21.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994) raw materials 40%, capital goods 25%, petroleum products 10% Japan 23%, US 20%, Taiwan 6%, Singapore 5%, South Korea 5% (1993) External debt: $40 billion (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1.4% (1993); accounts for 28% of GDP Electricity: capacity: production: consumption per capita: 6,770,000 kW 20.4 billion kWh 278 kWh (1993) Industries: textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, electronics assembly, petroleum refining, fishing Agriculture: accounts for 22% of GDP and about 45% of labor force; major crops - rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangos; animal products - pork, eggs, beef; net exporter of farm products; fish catch of 2 million metric tons annually Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; growers are producing more and better quality cannabis despite government eradication efforts; transit point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for the US Economic aid: recipient:  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $3.6 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $7.9 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $5 million; Communist countries (1975-89), $123 million Currency:  1 Philippine peso (P) = 100 centavos Exchange rates:  Philippine pesos (P) per US$1 - 24.622 (January 1995), 26.417 (1994), 22.120 (1993), 25.512 (1992), 27.479 (1991), 24.311 (1990)  Fiscal year: calendar year Transportation   Railroads: total: narrow gauge: 800 km (est.); note - including about 390 km in Luzon 800 km 1.067-m gauge Highways: total: paved: unpaved: 160,700 km 29,000 km 131,700 km Inland waterways: 3,219 km; limited to shallow-draft (less than 1.5 m) vessels Pipelines: petroleum products 357 km Ports: Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras, Iligan, Iloilo, Jolo, Legaspi, Manila, Masao, Puerto Princesa, San Fernando, Subic Bay, Zamboanga Merchant marine: total: ships by type:   note: 552 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,748,083 GRT/14,373,730 DWT bulk 237, cargo 134, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk 10, combination ore/oil 1, container 10, liquefied gas tanker 6, livestock carrier 9, oil tanker 46, passenger 1, passenger-cargo 11, refrigerated cargo 24, roll-on/roll-off cargo 13, short-sea passenger 17, vehicle carrier 29 a flag of convenience registry; Japan owns 13 ships, Norway 2, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 1, and South Korea 1 Airports: total: with paved runways over 3,047 m: with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: with paved runways under 914 m: with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 269   2 7 24   32   133 4 67 Communication   Telephone system:   local: intercity:   international: 872,900 telephones; good international radio and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate  NA   11 domestic satellite links submarine cables extended to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan; 3 INTELSAT (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) earth stations  Radio:  broadcast stations:  radios:    AM 267 (including 6 US), FM 55, shortwave 0  NA  Television:  broadcast stations:  televisions: 33 (including 4 US)  NA Defense Telephone system:  local:  intercity:  international: 872,900 telephones; good international radio and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate  NA 11 domestic satellite links submarine cables extended to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan; 3 INTELSAT (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) earth stations  Radio:  broadcast stations:  radios:    AM 267 (including 6 US), FM 55, shortwave 0  NA Television:  broadcast stations:  televisions: 33 (including 4 US)  NA