29/12/2024
FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES:
# Geography and Climate
1. *Archipelago*: 7,641 islands, stretching 1,850 kilometers.
2. *Location*: Southeast Asia, bordered by the Pacific Ocean, South China Sea, Celebes Sea and Sulu Sea.
3. *Mountainous terrain*: Home to Mayon Volcano, Taal Volcano and Mount Apo.
4. *Tropical climate*: Three seasons - hot (March-May), rainy (June-October) and cool (November-February).
# Culture and History
1. *Diverse heritage*: Influenced by Spanish, American, Chinese, Japanese and indigenous cultures.
2. *National language*: Filipino (based on Tagalog), with over 180 languages spoken.
3. *Catholic majority*: 80% of population practices Roman Catholicism.
4. *Festive celebrations*: Colorful fiestas like Sinulog (Cebu) and MassKara (Bacolod).
# Economy and Industry
1. *Agriculture*: Major crops include rice, corn, sugarcane and coconut.
2. *Manufacturing hub*: Electronics, textiles and pharmaceuticals.
3. *Remittances*: Overseas Filipino workers contribute significantly to the economy.
4. *Tourism*: Popular destinations like Boracay, Palawan and Cebu.
# Unique Features
1. *Chocolate Hills* (Bohol): Over 1,000 conical hills turn brown during dry season.
2. *Tubbataha Reef National Park* (Palawan): UNESCO World Heritage Site and diving paradise.
3. *Jeepneys*: Colorful, ornately decorated buses made from U.S. military jeeps.
4. *Filipino cuisine*: Popular dishes like adobo, lechon, sinigang and sisig.
# Interesting Records
1. *Longest Christmas celebration*: Starts in September and lasts until January.
2. *World's smallest vertebrate*: Paedophryne amauensis (tiny frog) found in Papua New Guinea and the Philippines.
3. *Largest Philippine island*: Luzon.
4. *Oldest university*: University of Santo Tomas (1611).
# Statistics
1. *Population*: Approximately 115 million (2023 estimate).
2. *Capital*: Manila.
3. *GDP*: $394 billion (2022 estimate).
4. *Official currency*: Philippine peso (PHP)
🇵🇭 DID YOU KNOW?
1. Most of people in the Philippines speak English! With a strong emphasis on English education, the Philippines ranks as the fifth-largest English-speaking country globally, making communication with locals a breeze for English speakers.
2. Filipinos ranked as the highest selfie-takers in the world! Filipinos have earned the title of the world’s most enthusiastic selfie-takers, embracing the art of self-expression through photography.
3. Philippines has 7641 islands – making it one of the largest archipelagos globally. Surprisingly, more than 5,000 of these islands remain unnamed on most international maps, waiting to be discovered. Sounds amazing, right? Just imagine huge number of islands right there!
4. There are over 170 dialects in the Philippines! One of the most remarkable features of the Philippines is its linguistic diversity. While the official language is Filipino, based on Tagalog, there are over 170 dialects spoken throughout the archipelago, reflecting the nation’s vibrant cultural mosaic.
5. The Philippines is the only Asian nation that is predominantly Christian. More than 86% of the population identifies as Roman Catholic and religion is still a big influence in the country.
6. The largest and most expensive pearl in the world was found in the Philippines! It was being found in Palawan, weighing a staggering 75 pounds and valued at an astonishing $100 million.
7. Filipinos celebrate Christmas longer than you think! The Philippines takes Christmas celebrations to the next level, beginning in September and lasting until January during the “Feast of the Three Kings.” The festive atmosphere includes decorations and numerous parties.
8. The Philippines has ‘best singers,’ ‘loves music most’ among 90 toured countries. Filipinos are so good at singing! Karaoke is their beloved pastime, showcasing their vocal talents at gatherings, turning any occasion into a singing festivity.
9. The Philippines has earned its title as the “text capital of the world,” with social media and texting being the primary means of communication.
10. Tarsier, one of the world’s smallest primates can only be found in the Philippines. It is known for its enormous eyes relative to its body size, aiding in night vision.
11. Fertilised duck embryo is the famous street snack. Filipinos enjoy eating this, they call it as ‘balut’.
12. The Philippines has unique transportation modes, such as tricycles, jeep, and kalesas.
13. The Philippines is known as the largest supplier of nurses to the world, with over 25% of all nurses in the United States being of Filipino descent.
14. Jeepney as the usual public transportation! It is distinctive and colorful public transportation vehicles, is ubiquitous in the Philippines, providing a unique way to explore its cities.
15. Philippines is the only country where the flag is flown upside down to indicate the state of war.
16. Filipino is the official language in the Philippines. It became the main language of the Philippines in 1987 under the constitution replacing ‘Pilipino’.
17. Philippines is one of the largest island countries in the world! It offers an incredible diversity of landscapes and experiences.
18. The Philippines is the second largest producer of coconut products in the world. Locally known as buko, coconut is a top export product of the Philippines. Each year, the country ships around 19.50 million tons or more of coconut fruit.
19. Filipinos are known for being polite, addressing each other with “ma’am” or “sir.” Respect for elders is deeply ingrained, reflected in terms like “ate” and “kuya” and use of “po” and “opo.”
20. “Filipino time” refers to the cultural phenomenon of Filipinos often arriving late for appointments or events, reflecting their laid-back, relaxed attitude towards time.
21. Two of the world’s largest shopping malls are located in the Philippines, offering an incredible shopping and leisure experience. One is SM Megamall, located in Mandaluyong city, with a total floor area of over 5.5 million square feet. Another is SM Shopping center of Asia (MOA) is a rambling shopping center in Pasay City, with more than 4.4 million square feet of retail space.
22. The Philippines founded Asia’s first basketball league, the Philippines Basketball Association, in 1975, making basketball a beloved sport in the country.
23. Jollibee is the top fast food chain the Philippines taking over McDonald’s! Jollibee was the leading limited-service restaurant in the Philippines in terms of sales in 2021. In that year, the restaurant chain generated sales of approximately 24. 53 billion U.S. dollars. Its closest competitor, McDonald’s, had total sales of about 786 million U.S. dollars in that year.
24. The Philippines has the largest underground river. Many people visit the Philippines because of its cultural history of famous water bodies. In fact, this nation is home to the largest underground river. It is located in Puerta Princesa Subterranean River National Park. There are many famous landmarks in the Philippines that will amaze you.
25. Filipinos can’t eat without rice! For almost 99% of the Philippine population, no meal is complete without rice, highlighting its central role in Filipino cuisine.
26. Filipinos usually have 3 to 4 meals daily!
27. There are three main island groups in the Philippines: Luzon, Mindanao, and Visayas. Luzon, the most populous, is home to the capital city, Manila.
