Experience the Amazing Islands of the Philippines

More than the usual – this is how the Philippine is positioned in the tourism block. The country is an archipelago and known officially as the Republic of the Philippines. This archipelago is located in Southeast Asia and holds the distinction of being one of only two predominantly Christian countries in Asia. East Timor is the other country. Philippines is comprised of 7,107 Islands and the population is about 90 million. This population based on 2008 estimates makes the country as the 12th most populous country in the world. For the traveler interested to know more about the country, it should be learned that the country has around 11 million overseas Filipinos worldwide and these are the Filipinos who work in other countries and one of the main reasons why the economy of the country is competitive.

Based on 2008 estimates, the gross domestic product or the GDP of Philippines is hooked at over US$ 327.2 billion and this is considered as the 37th largest in the world. The name ‘Philippine‘ traces a long history. This name was derived from the name of King Philip II of Spain in the 16th century. It was the initiative of Ruy Lopez de Villalobos to use the name Las Islas Filipinas or the Philippine Islands as his name for the islands Leyte and Samar. And the use of this name was in reference and in honor of the Prince of Spain. An additional assessment of the name ‘Philippine’ will reveal that this has Greek roots and according to some historians this was the name of the father of Alexander the Great.

The country is divided geographically into three groups:
– Luzon
– Visayas
– Mindanao

And these three major island grouping is then sub-divided into 17 regions, another 81 provinces and 136 cities. The country also plays host to 1,494 municipalities and 41,995 barrios. The government controls Sabah, North Borneo as stated by Section 2 of the Republic Act Number 5446. Ecologically, the country is known as one of those countries which feature diverse flora and fauna. This feature of the country is one of the major reasons why the archipelago is one of the favorite places for travelers who seek to experience nature at its best. Another main reason why the Philippines is always part of the list of the most liked travel destinations is that the country has scenic spots that are panoramic and ready to comfort and to fascinate the first time visitors and the country is also rich in natural resources. The natural resources of the country are extensive and this can be seen in many areas like agriculture, forestry and minerals.

Talking about the archipelago is not complete without talking about its fertile and arable lands, the forests that host diverse flora and fauna and the panoramic coastlines. For those travelers willing to sample what the country has to offer over a limited amount of time, it is suggested that the interested traveler should focus on its culture, its beaches and its heritage. The unique Philippine culture will let the traveler experience the many festivals in the country- from Sinulog in Cebu to the Penafrancia Festival in the Bicol Region. Philippines has plenty of festivals and these festivals are mostly celebrated during the month of April and May – the time for the country’s fiestas. Most of these festivals have links to the church and religious in nature.

Exploring the country without visiting some of its renowned beaches is not suggested. Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands and with a coastline that is twice the length of United States, you can really expect that Philippines has indeed some of the best beaches in the world. Mere mention of the Philippine will remind images of white and fine beaches of Boracay, Palawan and some of the more not-so commercial yet striking sands of other beaches. Some names that should be part of the plans of the traveler include Pagudpud, Mactan Island and Panglao. And speaking of heritage, the country is home to Ifugao Rice Terraces which is now part of the UNESCO Heritage List in 1995. Aside from this rice terraces, Philippine also plays host also to many old churches- baroque churches in Metro Manila and these are all considered as heritage sites that carry the country’s culture and history.