The Philippines

GeographyArea: 300,000 sq. km. (117,187 sq. mi.).
Major cities (2007 estimate): Capital--Manila (pop. 11.55 million in metropolitan area); other cities--Davao City (1.36 million); Cebu City (0.80 million).
Terrain: Islands, 65% mountainous, with narrow coastal lowlands.
Climate: Tropical, astride typhoon belt.

People
Nationality: Noun--Filipino(s). Adjective--Philippine.
Population (2009 estimate): 92.2 million.
Annual population growth rate (2007 estimate): 2.04%.
Ethnic groups: Malay, Chinese.
Religions (based on 2000 census): Roman Catholic 80.9%, Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1%.
Languages: Filipino (based on Tagalog), official national language; English, language of government and instruction in education.
Education: Years compulsory--6 (note: 6 years of primary education free and compulsory; 4 years of secondary education free but not compulsory). Attendance (2008 net enrollment rates)--85% in elementary grades, 61% in secondary grades. Functional literacy (2008, for ages 10-64)--86.4%. Basic literacy (2003)--93.4%.
Health: Infant mortality rate (2008)--25 per 1,000. Life expectancy (2005)--67.8 yrs. for males; 72.5 yrs. for females.
Work force (2009): 35.06 million. Services (including commerce and government)--51%; agriculture--34%; industry--15%.