Geography   Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 122 00 E Map references Southeast Asia Area: total: land: water: 300,000 sq km 298,170 sq km 1,830 sq km Area - comparative : slightly larger than Arizona Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 36,289 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: exclusive economic zone: territorial sea: to depth of exploitation 200 nm irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in breadth Climate tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October) Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands Elevation extremes lowest point: highest point : Philippine Sea 0 m Mount Apo 2,954 m Natural resources timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper Land use arable land: permanent crops: other: 18% 15% 67% (1998 est.) Irrigated land 15,500 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis Environment current issues 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 Environment party to :   signed, but not ratified: international agreements Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography : Asia's main water bodies: note favorably located in relation to many of Southeast the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait People   Population: 84,525,639 (July 2002 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 15-64 years: 65 years and over:   36.6% (male 15,731,451; female 15,169,264) 59.7% (male 24,990,500; female 25,478,245) 3.7% (male 1,399,862; female 1,756,317) (2002 est.) Population growth rate: 1.99% (2002 est.)   Birth rate: 26.88 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) Death rate: 5.95 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) Net migration rate:  -1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) Infant mortality rate: 27.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)   Sex ratio at birth : under 15 years: 15-64 years:   65 years and over: total population: 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2002 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.35 children born/woman (2002 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: male: female:   68.12 years 65.26 years 71.12 years (2002 est.) Nationality: noun: adjective: Filipino(s) Philippine Ethnic groups: Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3% Religions: Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3% Literacy: definition: total population: male : female: age 15 and over can read and write 94.6% 95% 94.3% (1995 est.) Languages: Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocan, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.07% (1999 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 28,000 (1999 est.)   HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,200 (1999 est.) Government Country name: conventional long form: conventional short form: local long form: local short form: Republic of the Philippines Philippines Republika ng Pilipinas Pilipinas Government type republic Capital: Manila Administrative divisions: 73 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 del Norte, 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, Tawi-Tawi, Toledo*, Trece Martires*, Zambales, Zamboanga*, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur Independence: 4 July 1946 (from US) National holiday: Independence Day (from Spain), 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 is the date of independence from Spain, 4 July 1946 is the date of independence from the US Constitution:  2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987 Legal system:  based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: head of government:   cabinet: elections: election results: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Teofisto GUINGONA (since 20 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Teofisto GUINGONA (since 20 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission of Appointments president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for six-year terms; election last held 11 May 1998 (next to be held 16 May 2004) results of the last presidential election - Joseph Ejercito ESTRADA elected president; percent of vote - approximately 40%; Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO elected vice president; percent of vote - 55%; note - on 20 January 2001, Vice President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was sworn in as the constitutional successor to President Joseph ESTRADA after the Supreme Court declared that ESTRADA was unable to rule in view of the mass resignations from his government; according to the Constitution, only in cases of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the president, can the vice president serve for the unexpired term Legislative branch:     elections : election results:    bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24 seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (214 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - additional members may be appointed by the president but the Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more than 250 members) Senate - last held 14 May 2001 (next to be held 16 May 2004); House of Representatives - elections last held 14 May 2001 (next to be held 16 May 2004) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Lakas 13, PDP-Laban/LDP 11; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Lakas 86, NPC 51, LDP 21, LP 20, independents 10, other 26 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70 years of age) Political pressure groups and leaders: NA Political parties and leaders Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (New Society Movement) [Imelda MARCOS]; Laban Ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Eduardo ANGARA]; Lakas [Jose DE VENECIA, party president]; Liberal Party or LP [Florencio ABAD]; Nacionalista Party [Jose OLIVEROS]; National People's Coalition or NPC [Eduardo COJUANGCO]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL]; People's Reform Party or PRP [Miriam DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO] International organization participation APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: consulate(s): consulate(s) general: FAX: telephone: chancery: Ambassador Albert DEL ROSARIO San Diego Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, San Jose (Northern Mariana Islands), Tamuning (Guam) [1] (202) 328-7614 [1] (202) 333-6000 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: embassy: mailing address: telephone: FAX: Ambassador Francis RICCIARDONE 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita 1000 Manila FPO 96515 [63] (2) 523-1001 [63] (2) 522-4361 Flag description 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: overview In 1998 the Philippine economy - a mixture of agriculture, light industry, and supporting services - deteriorated as a result of spillover from the Asian financial crisis and poor weather conditions. Growth fell to 0.6% in 1998 from 5% in 1997, but recovered to about 3% in 1999 and 4% in 2000. The government has promised to continue its economic reforms to help the Philippines match the pace of development in the newly industrialized countries of East Asia. The strategy includes improving infrastructure, overhauling the tax system to bolster government revenues, furthering deregulation and privatization of the economy, and increasing trade integration with the region. Prospects for 2002 depend heavily on the economic performance of two major trading partners, the US and Japan. GDP-purchasing power parity : $335 billion (2001 est.) GDP-real growth rate: 2.8% (2001 est.)   GDP-per capita purchasing power parity: $4,000 (2001 est.)   GDP agriculture: industry: services: composition by sector 17% 30% 53% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: 40% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: highest 10%: 1.5% 39.3% (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (2001 est.)   Labor force: 32 million (2000) Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 39.8%, government and social services 19.4%, services 17.7%, manufacturing 9.8%, construction 5.8%, other 7.5% (1998 est.) Unemployment rate: 10% (2001)   Budget: revenues: expenditures:   $10.9 billion $13.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.) Industries: textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, electronics assembly, petroleum refining, fishing Industrial production growth rate:   4% (2000 est.) Electricity—production: 40.667 billion kWh (2000)   Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: hydro: nuclear: other: 57.57% 19.85% 22.58% (2000) 0% Electricity—consumption: 37.82 billion kWh (2000) Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (2000) Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (2000)   Agriculture—products: products rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish Exports:  $37 billion (f.o.b., 2000) Exports—commodities: commodities electronic equipment, machinery and transport equipment, garments, coconut products   Exports—partners: US 30%, Japan 15%, Netherlands 8%, Singapore 8%, Taiwan 8%, Hong Kong 5% (2000)   Imports: $30 billion (f.o.b., 2000) Imports—commodities: raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods, consumer goods, fuels Imports - partners: US 22%, Japan 20%, South Korea 8%, Singapore 6%, Taiwan 5%, Hong Kong 4% (1998 est.) Debt - external: $50 billion (2001) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $1.1 billion (1998) Currency: Philippine peso (PHP) Currency code: PHP Exchange rates:  Philippine pesos per US dollar - 51.201 (January 2002), 50.993 (2001), 44.192 (2000), 39.089 (1999), 40.893 (1998), 29.471 (1997) Fiscal year: calendar year Distribution of family income Gini index 46.2 (1997)   Transportation   Railways total : narrow gauge: 897 km 897 km 1.067-m gauge (405 km are not in operation) (2001) Highways: total: paved:   unpaved: 199,950 km 39,590 km 160,360 km (1998 est.) Waterways : note: 3,219 km limited to vessels with a draft of less than 1.5 m Pipelines: petroleum products 357 km Ports and harbors: Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras Island, Iligan, Iloilo, Jolo, Legaspi, Manila, Masao, Puerto Princesa, San Fernando, Subic Bay, Zamboanga Merchant marine: total: ships by type:   note: 416 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,179,029 GRT/7,670,688 DWT bulk 134, cargo 112, chemical tanker 2, combination bulk 7, container 5, liquefied gas 9, livestock carrier 9, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 10, petroleum tanker 41, refrigerated cargo 20, roll on/roll off 14, short-sea passenger 29, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 18 includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 2, Canada 1, Germany 3, Greece 8, Hong Kong 13, Japan 47, Malaysia 19, Netherlands 14, Norway 8, Panama 3, Singapore 12, South Korea 1, Taiwan 2, United Kingdom 7 (2002 est. Airports: Airports:   total: over 3,047 m: 2,438 to 3,047 m : 1,524 to 2,437 m: 914 to 1,523 m: under 914 m: 275 (2001) with paved runways 77 4 5 26 30 12 (2001) Airports total : 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1,524 to 2,437 m: 914 to 1,523 m: under 914 m: with unpaved runways 198 1 4 81 119 (2001) Heliports 2 (2001) Communication   Telephones - main lines in use: 3.1 million (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 6.5 million (2000)   Telephone system: general assessment: domestic: international: good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations 9 international gateways; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan Radio broadcast stations: note: AM 366, FM 290, shortwave 5 each shortwave station operates on multiple frequencies in the language of the target audience (2002) Radios: 11.5 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 75 (2000) Televisions: 3.7 million (1997) Internet country code: .ph Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 33 (2000) Internet users: 2 million (2001) Military Military branches Army, Navy (including Coast Guard and Marine Corps), Air Force, paramilitary units Military manpower military age 20 years of age (2002 est.) Military manpower males age 15-49: availability 21,718,304 (2002 est.) Military manpower males:  fit for military service 15,285,248 (2002 est.) Military manpower males: reaching military age annually 848,181 (2002 est.) Military expenditures dollar figure :   $995 million (FY98) Military expenditures percent of GDP :   1.5% (FY98) Transnational Issues Disputes international Sultanate of Sulu granted Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue his sovereignty claim over Malaysia's Sabah State, to which the Philippines have not fully revoked their claim; involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei Illicit drugs exports locally produced marijuana and hashish to East Asia, the US, and other Western markets; serves as a transit point for heroin and crystal methamphetamine exports locally produced marijuana and hashish to East Asia, the US, and other Western markets; serves as a transit point for heroin and crystal methamphetamine