Where are the Philippines - all about the resort paradise for tourists. Philippines - what kind of country? Philippines national language

Useful information for tourists about the Philippines, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of the Philippines, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions of the Philippines.

Geography of the Philippines

The Republic of the Philippines is a state in Asia. Consists of many islands located in Pacific Ocean between Indonesia and Taiwan.

The country includes more than 7.1 thousand islands, of which about 1000 are permanently inhabited, and more than 2500 are not only uninhabited, but do not even have a name. The islands are located in three groups - the northern island of Luzon and adjacent islands, the central Visayan group (about 6 thousand islands) and southern Mindanao with the surrounding islands. The Philippines is a predominantly mountainous country.

State

State structure

Democratic Republic. The head of state and government is the president. The legislative body is a bicameral Congress.

Language

Official language: Filipino

English, Chinese and Spanish are used.

Religion

The majority of believers are Catholic Christians (83%) and Protestants (9%), there are also Muslims (5%), Buddhists, etc.

Currency

International name: PHP

The Philippine peso is equal to 100 centavs. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 pesos, coins of 5 and 1 pesos, as well as 25 and 10 centavos.

You can usually exchange pounds sterling and euros in banks in Manila and other major cities. Outside the capital, servicing other foreign currencies is quite problematic; only branches of the Central Bank of the Philippines offer an exchange rate close to the official one.

The US dollar is widely accepted throughout the Philippines and is often more convenient to use than traveller's checks. Prices are often quoted in both Philippine pesos and dollars.

In banks, shops and hotels in major cities of the country they accept credit cards major world systems and tourist checks, their use is unlikely in the provinces. To avoid additional expenses For conversion, it is recommended to take travel checks in US dollars with you.

History of the Philippines

The Philippine archipelago was put on the world map by the famous Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. The Philippines was later captured by the Spanish, who fought Portugal to colonize the world. The archipelago was named Felipinas in honor of King Philip II of Spain and included 7,107 islands and islets stretching 1,854 kilometers from north to south. The Philippines became a window to the New World, stretching from China in the north to the Indonesian archipelago in the south.

Spanish rule lasted from the 16th to the 19th centuries. On June 12, 1898, the Philippines declared its independence. Once Spanish rule ended, the Philippines came under US influence. Spain leased the Philippines to the Americans for $20 million. A new battle for Philippine independence has begun. The War of Independence ended in 1905. In 1935, the Commonwealth government adopted its constitution. With the outbreak of World War II, the Philippines was captured by Japan. In 1945, American military forces liberated the Philippines, and on July 4, 1946, the American flag was flown over the Philippines for the last time as the country gained independence.

The Philippine archipelago was put on the world map by the famous Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. The Philippines was later captured by the Spanish, who fought Portugal to colonize the world. The archipelago was named Felipinas in honor of King Philip II of Spain and included 7,107 islands and islets stretching 1,854 kilometers from north to south. The Philippines has become a window to the New World, stretching from China in the north to the Indonesian archipelago in the south...

Philippines Map

Popular attractions

Tourism in the Philippines

Where to stay

The Philippines is an island nation and has about seven thousand large and small islands, which are real paradises. Accommodation here is relatively inexpensive, and the tourist infrastructure is quite developed. Here you will find both elite hotels and cozy rooms in small private hotels.

The Philippine Islands Department of Tourism strictly regulates the classification of hotels. It includes four levels, the highest of which is Delux, followed by first class, standard and economy. In addition, there is separate category- Special Interest Resort. It is noteworthy that some hotels have stars similar to European ones, but they are assigned either by the owner himself or by a representative of the tourism industry, so this classification is very arbitrary.

Hotels of famous world chains such as Hyatt, Hilton, Shangri-La can be found in Manila. The Discovery Leisure hotel chain, owned by the Philippines, is more popular on the islands. Delux hotels usually occupy the entire territory of one of the small islands; here you will be offered not only high-quality service, but also additional services - swimming pools, spa centers, sports grounds, shops and much more.

For those who prefer to immerse themselves in the local flavor, special tourist villages consisting of bungalows have been built. All buildings are made in a traditional style, from environmentally friendly materials. However, you can’t count on TV and telephone here. On the larger islands you can rent a villa. The Ministry of Tourism has developed special program, thanks to which tourists can get to know local traditions better by staying with one of the families.

In budget hotels, it is worth checking in advance whether there is a bathroom in the room. Otherwise, the service here is pretty good.

Popular hotels

Tips

Tips in most establishments amount to 5-10% of the bill amount (including in taxis, for hotel and restaurant services), but usually service personnel add for service above this percentage.

Office hours

Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Medicine

Vaccination against hepatitis A and B is recommended. If arriving from yellow fever areas (within 6 days of departure or transit from such areas), a certificate of vaccination is required (children under 1 year of age are exempt). Prophylaxis against malaria is recommended. The risk of contracting Japanese encephalitis exists between April and January in western Luzon, Mindoro and Palawan. There are also natural hotspots for rabies and dengue fever. Penicillin-resistant gonorrhea and syphilis are common in certain areas of Cebu and Manila.

The Philippines is considered a special country in Asia. Indeed, even the dishes there are not as spicy as in other Asian countries. In addition, the Philippines was greatly influenced by European colonists. Therefore, the Philippines, which consists of many islands, can be considered an amazing Asian country with beautiful nature, waterfalls, ancient attractions and snow-white beaches.

Geography of the Philippines

The island nation of the Philippines is located in the western Pacific Ocean in Southeast Asia. To the north across the strait is Taiwan, to the west across the South China Sea is Vietnam, and to the south lie the islands of Indonesia. The total area of ​​this country is 299,764 square meters. km

The Philippines consists of more than 7,100 islands, the largest of which are Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Most of the Philippine Islands are covered with dense forests. The largest local peak is Mount Apo, whose height reaches 2,954 meters, located on the island of Mindanao. Earthquakes often occur in the Philippine Islands, but they are not felt because... too weak.

The longest river in the Philippines is the Cagayan River, which is 505 km long. Cagayan, flows through the northern part of the island of Luzon.

Capital

Manila is the capital of the Philippines. More than 1.8 million people now live in this city.

Official language of the Philippines

The Philippines has three official languages: Pilipino, which belongs to the Austronesian language family, English and Spanish.

Religion

More than 90% of the Philippines population is Christian (mostly Catholic), while the remaining 10% are Muslim.

Government of the Philippines

According to the current Constitution, the Philippines is a presidential republic. Its head is the President, elected by popular vote for a term of 6 years.

The bicameral parliament in the Philippines is called Congress, it consists of the Senate (24 senators, elected for 6 years) and the House of Representatives (240 deputies, elected for 3 years).

Administratively, the Philippines is divided into 17 regions and 80 provinces.

Climate and weather

The climate is tropical, hot and humid. The hottest months are from March to May. The rainy season begins in June and lasts until the end of October (typhoons are possible during this time). The coldest month is February (average air temperature +21C), and the hottest month is May (+36C).

The best time to visit the Philippines is from November to April. At this time there is very little precipitation, and the air and sea are very warm.

Sea in the Philippines

The Philippines is washed by the Philippine Sea, which is part of the Pacific Ocean. The total length of the coast of all the Philippine islands is 36,289 km. Thus, the Philippine sea coast is the longest in the world.

The diving season in the Philippines runs from early November to late May. The peak diving season is from March to May.

Rivers and lakes

There are more than 45 rivers in the Philippines. The longest of them is Cagayan, its length reaches 505 km. Cagayan, flows through the northern part of the island of Luzon.

Philippine culture

Spanish and American colonial customs had a great influence on the culture of the Philippines. It was thanks to the Spaniards that the tradition of fiesta and carnivals took root in the Philippines.

Every January, Manila hosts the largest festival in the Philippines - the Day of the Black Nazarene. On this day (which is January 9), several hundred thousand people take to the streets of Manila.

Tourists in the Philippines will be interested in seeing the Mango Festival, Aurora Festival, Ati-Atiha Festival, Pineapple Festival, Lantern Festival and many others.

All Philippine festivals are accompanied by colorful music, dance and theatrical performances. Most of the participants in these festivals take part in traditional national costumes.

Kitchen

Philippine cuisine has been influenced by Chinese, Malay, Spanish and even American culinary traditions. Philippine cuisine is not as well known to Europeans as, for example, Vietnamese, Thai or Chinese dishes. Philippine cuisine differs from other Asian cuisines in that it is not as spicy. Although, of course, Filipinos also like to add spices to their dishes.

Spices (garlic, onion, ginger) are needed by Filipinos to add flavor to their dishes. As in other Asian countries, the staple food in the Philippines is rice, as well as fish and seafood.

1. Adobo – stew (chicken or pork) with garlic in soy sauce;
2. Pansit – rice noodles with chicken, pork or shrimp along with vegetables;
3. Tinola chicken soup with ginger;
4. Sinigang – spicy soup with pork, chicken, fish or shrimp;
5. Lengua – fried beef tongue in savory sauce;
6. Calamares – fried shrimp/squid;
7. Kare-kare – beef stewed over low heat;
8. Bopis – spicy pork tripe.

Traditional soft drinks in the Philippines - “Sago"t Gulaman” - a sweet drink made from lemon balm, coconut juice, a sweet drink “Taho”.

Sights of the Philippines

In the Philippines you can see very interesting sights. Thus, on the island of Mindanao in the city of Davao there is a unique Apo National Park and a large orchid farm. On the same island, tourists can visit the medieval Spanish port of Pilar and several other natural parks. On Sulu Island you can visit local villages built right on the water.

On the island of Cebu there is a very old Spanish fort, built back in mid-16th century century, as well as several medieval churches.

Some attractions of the Philippines are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List - the city of Vigan, the Puerto Princesa Underground River, the rice terraces in the Philippine Cordillera, the St. Augustine Church in Manila, the Miag-ao Church on Iloilo Island, the Paoya Church, the Santa Maria Church, Tubbataha Reefs National Park.

Cities and resorts

The largest cities in the Philippines are Quezson City, Caloocan, Davao, Cebu, Zamboanga, Antipolo and the capital, Manila.

The Philippines is known throughout the world for its fantastic sandy beaches. The infrastructure on most beaches is well developed, there are great opportunities For active recreation, including diving. By the way, some of the Philippine diving centers meet all international standards.

Top 10 best beaches in the Philippines:

1. Boracay Island. The length of the beach on this island reaches 5 km, the sand is white and fine. Considered one of the best beaches in the world.
2. Pagudpud. There can be strong winds here, making Pagudpud a great surfing spot. Compared to Boracay, Pagudpud is considered more secluded and quiet.
3. Mactan Island. This island not only has beautiful beaches, but also a fun nightlife. Suitable for tourists who want to do more than just sunbathe on snow-white beaches.
4. Panglao Island. Do you love diving? Then Panglao Island is just for you. A quiet, secluded island surrounded by coral reefs.
5. Camiguin. This beach is considered the “Garden of Eden”. The beach is located near a beautiful waterfall, as well as hot and cold springs.
6. Dakak. This is a private beach, its length reaches 750 m. On the beach there are waterfalls and sources of spring water.
7. Honda Bay Islands. These islands are located in the southwestern province of Palawan. Considered an excellent place for diving.
8. El Nido. This island is located in the province of Palawan. El Nido is a quiet, secluded place with snow-white beaches.
9. Pearl Farm. The resort is located in the south of the country near the city of Davao. Considered one of the largest Philippine resorts.
10. Siargao. This beach is considered another popular diving spot in the Philippines.

Souvenirs/shopping

From the Philippines, tourists usually bring handicrafts, baskets, purses, wallets, rugs, local hand-embroidered clothing, sarongs, scarves, musical instruments (such as bamboo flutes), figurines, hammocks, traditional Filipino knives, hats, Filipino delicacies (mango, for example, is best wrapped in a napkin to keep the fruit fresh).

Office hours

The Republic of the Philippines is a state in Southeast Asia. This country has a rich and interesting story. Moreover, today the Philippines is a popular tourist destination. Thousands of travelers from all over the world come here every year. In this publication we will talk about what the Republic of the Philippines is (the subtleties of tourism, destinations and attractions, history, photos).

Philippine Islands

The Republic of the Philippines consists of islands. In total there are more than 7,000 of them. All are included in the Malay Archipelago. The state is washed on three sides by the Philippine, Celebes and South China seas.

• Luzon is the most big island, on whose territory the Republic of the Philippines is located. The capital (city of Manila) of the state is located in its southern part. In addition, the most populated Philippine city, Quezon, is located on the island of Luzon.
• Mindanao is a popular tourist destination. The island is located in the south of the Philippine state. Its coastline is heavily indented. Mindanao is home to a variety of bays and peninsulas.
• Samar is a large island in the central region of the Philippine archipelago. The majority of its population is Visayas.
• Negros is a mountainous island located in the central regions of the Philippines. It is washed by 3 seas: Visayan, Sibuyan and Sulu.
• Palawan is a large island in the western Philippine archipelago. The province of the same name is located on its territory.

• The bulk of the indigenous population of the archipelago are Aeta-Australoid tribes. Today, this group of peoples live in the eastern parts of Luzon, the largest island of the Philippines.
• The first European to enter the lands of the archipelago was Ferdinand Magellan. The great discoverer died in an internecine war in the Philippine Islands in 1521.
• During the Middle Ages, the kingdom of Tondo was formed on the island of Luzon.
• The islands of the Manila archipelago were named the Philippines in honor of Philip II, King of Spain.
• In the middle of the 18th century, these territories were subject to English colonization.
• At the end of the 19th century, the Philippines came under the control of the United States under the Treaty of Paris.
• Emilio Aguinaldo is a prominent politician. Led the Philippine War of Independence. The first president of the state.
• During World War II, the territory of the archipelago was occupied by Japanese troops. In 1945, the lands were liberated by American troops.
• The Philippines gained complete independence from the United States only after the end of World War II. At this time, the country was led by Manuel Rojas.

Philippine Republic today

The current political and economic situation of the Republic of the Philippines is unstable. On the one hand, the country has a fairly developed agriculture, the products of which make up the majority of exports. In addition, the state is open to foreign investors. But, on the other hand, the Philippine Islands have poorly developed infrastructure and heavy industry. By its type, the country belongs to the group of agrarian-industrial ones.

The political situation in the country is also not stable. The state is periodically shaken by uprisings of Trotskyists and Maoists. In addition, there is the problem of Muslim separatism.

Republic of the Philippines: how to get there

The Philippines is considered a lost state among the seas and oceans. The state is located on thousands of islands. It is often very difficult to explain to an ordinary person, especially a child, where the Republic of the Philippines is located. The state is located in the vast Pacific Ocean in the southeastern part of Asia. The Philippines neighbors countries such as Indonesia and Taiwan.

So, how to get to the islands of the Malay Archipelago?

The only way to get to the amazing Philippines is by plane. There are flights here from Kyiv, Moscow and Minsk. However, the cheapest services are provided by European and Korean airlines.

There are several international airports located on the territory of the state. The largest of them are located in Manila (the capital of the country), Davao, and Cebu.

Tourism in the Philippines

Tourism is a fairly developed sector in the Philippine economy. Thousands of travelers from all over the world come here every year. Most of them are visitors from Japan, the USA and South Korea.

Let's look at the popular types of tourism in the Republic of the Philippines.

• Beach holidays are what hundreds of travelers come here for every year. Particularly popular areas are Boracay Island (located in the central part of the archipelago) and the coast of La Union (on the island of Luzon).
• Ecotourism. The Republic of the Philippines has many parks and reserves. Today, various tours and programs are held here that are aimed at attracting travelers from all over the world.
• Recreational diving. This is especially developed in bays such as Subic Bay and Coron.
• Mountain climbing. Created in the Philippines excellent conditions for active recreation. The country's territory is predominantly mountainous, so thousands of tourists come here just to climb the highest points of the islands.
• Kiteboarding.
• Parasailing.

Republic of the Philippines attractions

There are many throughout the country interesting places, which are worthy of the attention of tourists. The landscapes and nature of the Philippine islands amaze with their beauty. In addition, there are historical places and monuments worth seeing, interesting museums, parks, etc.

Let's take a closer look at the most popular attractions in the Philippines.

Boracay Island

This island is rightfully considered the most popular tourist center in the Philippines. The resort infrastructure is well developed here.

White Beach is the main beach of Boracay. He is among best places for a holiday in peace. Warm water, fine white sand, as well as a wide variety of restaurants and nightclubs on the coast - this is what attracts travelers from all over the world. In addition, the island has excellent conditions for kiteboarding and windsurfing.

There are many interesting natural attractions here. Willy's Stone is the most recognizable and popular object on the island. It is a volcanic formation of an unusual shape.

Volcano Mayon

This amazing volcano is located on the largest island of the archipelago. Mayon is rightfully considered the most beautiful volcano in the world. What is surprising is that it has a perfectly regular conical shape, which is a rare phenomenon in nature. Mayon, together with the surrounding areas, is part of the national reserve. It is important to note that the volcano is still active.

Chocolate Mountains

The Republic of the Philippines, photos of the natural beauty of which are presented below, is famous for its amazing mountains. This is a land of peaks strewn with greenery and touching the clouds. Here you can endlessly admire the beauty of the surrounding nature.

However, the most amazing and unique mountains are located on the island of Bohol. They were called "chocolate hills". In spring and autumn, the mountain tops are covered with greenery. During the dry season in summer, the grass dries out and the hills look like chocolate truffles.

Puerto Princesa National Park

The national park is located on the island of Palawan, not far from its capital. This place is considered one of the 7 wonders of nature. The main attraction of the park is the underground Puerto Princesa River. It flows towards the South China Sea. The uniqueness of this river is that on its way it passes through cave labyrinths.

Every year hundreds of tourists come to the island of Palawan to see this natural wonder with their own eyes. IN national park You can book a tour along the river. In addition, all tourists have a unique opportunity to go on an unusual journey through the jungle of the island. On the way from the city of Puerto Princesa to Sabang, you can see all the features of this area.

The national park on the island of Palawan is the most interesting attraction in the Philippines. It is located on the Saint Paul mountain range. During the excursion, every tourist will be able to climb one of the peaks of Palawan, independently explore the mysterious Lion Gate and Daylight Hole caves, or simply admire the amazing local flora and fauna.

El Nido Nature Reserve

Puerto Princesa National Park is not the only attraction in Palawan. In its northwestern part is the El Nido Nature Reserve. This is a unique ecosystem with unusual flora and fauna, as well as amazing geological formations. This reserve is rightfully considered the pearl of the Republic of the Philippines. The protected area includes 45 islands. Most of El Nido's territory is maritime.

The reserve is considered unique, since its flora and fauna are species diversity close to that of the island of Borneo, and not the rest of the Philippine archipelago.

Tourism in El Nido began to develop relatively recently, but its scale today is almost as large as the famous Thai island of Phi Phi.

Village of Din Ivid

Din Iwid is an amazingly beautiful village located on the island of Borocay. Here tourists can not only relax on the beautiful sandy beach, but also get to know the locals better.

3 things to do in Din Ivid:

• stroll through the streets of the village;
• talk to local residents;
• try Filipino cuisine.

Tarsier Research Center

Another unique and interesting attraction of the Republic of the Philippines is the Tarsier Research Center. It is located on the island of Bohol, in the central part of the archipelago. Here you can look at tarsiers - cute animals with huge eyes. On the island of Bohol they live in natural conditions. Here the animals do whatever they want. They can even leave the protected area. The administration of the Tarsier Research Center monitors the number of primates, feeds and treats these cute animals.

Only a small part of its territory is open to visitors to the reserve. However, here you can see these amazing primates and even take pictures with them.

Manila Bay

The Republic of the Philippines, whose attractions will not leave any traveler indifferent, is famous not only for its beautiful beaches and natural reserves, but also for its harbors. Manila Bay is located on the western coast. This is one of the most beautiful natural harbors in all of Southeast Asia. At the entrance to Manila Bay is the unusual island of Corregidor.

Today this harbor is of great economic importance to the Republic of the Philippines.

Taal Volcano

Not far from the capital of the Republic of the Philippines is Taal. It is considered one of the smallest active volcanoes in the world. Today, despite the danger of this place, Taal is a popular tourist site. From its top it opens beautiful view to nearby islands and lakes.

Kawasan Falls

In the dense tropical forest on the island of Cebu, the amazingly beautiful three-stage Kawasan Falls is located. The water here is crystal clear, in some places it takes on an unusual turquoise color. This place will definitely appeal to lovers of exotic and extreme holidays. Before seeing the beautiful Kawasan Falls, tourists will have to make their way through the wild jungle. Here everyone can fully enjoy the world of wild nature. The burning sun, humid air, tall ferns and huge palm trees - all this will leave an unforgettable impression.

Other interesting sights of the Philippines

• Philippine butterfly farm on Panglao Island. Here you can see the most unique and beautiful breeds of butterflies.
• Magellan's Cross. This monument was placed on the island of Cebu by a Spanish-Portuguese expedition in the first half of the 16th century on the orders of Ferdinand Magellan.
• Taoist temple in Cebu. The building was erected in the mid-20th century at the request of the Chinese diaspora in the Philippine Islands. The temple is located on one of the peaks of the capital of the island of Cebu. The building is an amazingly beautiful example of traditional Chinese architecture. A long staircase of 81 steps leads to the temple.
• The Basilica del Santo Nino is the oldest Catholic shrine on the islands of the Philippine archipelago. It was built in the 16th century in the city of Cebu.
• Fort San Pedro in Cebu is a former military defense complex. It was erected at the beginning of the 16th century by order of the Spanish conquistador Legazpi.

Time: 5 hours ahead of Moscow. From the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in September - plus 4
- Entry rules. Since September 19, 2007, a visa is not required for Russian tourists entering the Philippines for a period of no more than 21 days. An increase in the visa-free period of stay is possible, however, for this it is necessary to submit a corresponding request to the Immigration Bureau in Manila.
- Currency. Philippine peso = 100 centavs You can exchange money at the airport, where the exchange rate is more favorable than in hotels. Any convertible currency is accepted for exchange.
- Climate. The Philippines is hot and humid throughout the year, with an average annual temperature of +26.5 C. There are three seasons in the Philippines: Taginit - local summer, the hottest time of the year (March to May), Tagulan - rainy season (June-November) and Tag-lamig - cool “winter” (December-February). From May to October, the southwest monsoon “habakat” blows on the islands, and in November-April there are dry winds. The best time to visit is from December to May, with the largest influx of tourists in December-February. October-November is windy, rainy and cloudy.
- The mains voltage is predominantly 220 V.House Keeping of the hotel will provide an adapter, ironing boards and iron to your room upon your first request.
-It is not recommended to drink tap water; almost all hotels offer free drinking water in bottles, and there are also sets for making tea and coffee
- Mobile communications- Cellular communications standard GSM 900/1800 are intensively developing throughout the country. The largest operators are Smart Communications, Digitel and Globe Telecom. Roaming is available to subscribers of major Russian operators.

SPA in the Philippines.
The Philippine SPA and Wellness industry is gaining increasing popularity in the world thanks to the use of specific techniques and unique environmentally friendly products. The combination of the opportunity to relax on tropical islands and undergo rejuvenation and body cleansing procedures is a unique chance. The most famous spas are San Benito Farm (Manila), Mandala SPA (Boracay), Snangri-La Mactan SPA (Cebu) and SPA on Badian Island (Cebu).

Manila- the capital of the Philippines, full of tourists all year round. Tourists are attracted by comfortable hotels, impeccable service and interesting excursions.
City tour. It is best to start a tour of the capital of the Philippines from Fort Santiago, it is here that four centuries ago stood the fortress of Raja Suleiman, a young brave warrior, built of bamboo. In 1571, the Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived here. In the same year, Legazpi founded Manila here - a Spanish architectural monument in the East. Opposite Fort Santiago stands the Manila Cathedral, built in Romanesque style from Philippine adobe. You can also visit the main historical street, Calle Real. Nearby is the complex of reconstructed buildings of Plaza San Luis, where galleries are located ancient art, restaurants, cafes, as well as the Casa Manila Museum, dedicated to the life of the local aristocracy. While in Manila, you can visit the Japanese and Chinese gardens and the city planetarium.

Separately, you need to pay attention to the unusual Ermita district, located near Rizal Park and Manila Bay. There are many different hotels, snack bars, night restaurants, pubs open air, fashion shops, antique shops, stalls with handicrafts and rarities. The Philippine village of Nayong Pilipino is popular among tourists - an open-air exhibition where all types of village buildings reflecting ethnocultural characteristics are presented in miniature various parts archipelago. The Philippine Ethnographic Museum is also located here, the exhibition of which introduces a variety of arts and crafts of local national minorities. Once here, you have the opportunity to purchase numerous souvenirs.

Tagatay mountain range and Taal volcano. The city of Tagatay is located on a mountain range at an altitude of 2250 feet above sea level. It is a leisurely 2-hour drive south of Manila, surrounded by small settlements, gardens and coconut plantations.
Enjoy amazing views of the smallest but deadly Taal Volcano, as well as the picturesque surroundings of Taal Lake. After lunch of dishes national cuisine– return to Manila. Along the way, visit the Las Pinas Church, where the world famous bamboo organ is located, and a local enterprise for the production of jeepneys - the main type of

Pagsanjan Falls - famous waterfalls that fall from a height of 100 meters, are located 2 hours from Manila. The final scenes of Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now were filmed in these locations. In a canoe you will sail 7 km upstream to the waterfall and see a picture that is impossible to forget: the roar of water, the steep walls of the canyon, sparkling splashes like diamonds...
Islands. Each of the islands on which the hotels are located offers a huge selection of sports, sea cruises, fishing, trekking under the guidance of local guides, and scuba diving.

ATTENTION: Hotels in the Philippines do not have an official star rating. The classification we propose is our subjective assessment, based on world standards of hotels and the availability of a range of services.

The official name is the Republic of the Philippines (Republika сg Pilipinas, Republic of the Philippines). Located on 7,107 islands of the Philippine archipelago southeast of the Eurasian mainland. Area 300.8 thousand km2, population 84.5 million people. The official language is Filipino; The official languages ​​are Filipino and English. The capital is Greater Manila, since 1975 it has consisted of Manila itself and 16 satellite cities with a population of 9.2 million people. (2002). Public holiday - Independence Day on June 12 (since 1970). Currency- pesos (equal to 100 centavos). The Philippines claims ownership of 8 islands in the Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea.

Member of the UN (since 1945) and its committees and organizations, as well as the IMF, IBRD, APEC, ASEAN (1967), etc.

Sights of the Philippines

Geography of the Philippines

Located between 21°25' and 4°23' north latitude and 116°40' and 127° east longitude. They are washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea. 100 km from the archipelago in the Pacific Ocean there is the Philippine Trench with a depth of 10,789 m. The coastline is approx. 18 thousand km is rugged, there are few good harbors. The largest islands are Luzon (105 thousand km2) and Mindanao (95 thousand km2). All borders are maritime: with Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the island of Taiwan. More than 3/4 of the Philippines' territory is mountains and hills. The largest mountain system is the Cordillera Central (with its highest point 2934 m) on the island of Luzon. The highest point in the Philippines is Apo Volcano (2954 m) on the island of Mindanao. Lowlands - narrow stripes along coasts or along rivers. The largest plains are the Central, or Manila, on the island of Luzon and Cotabato on the island of Mindanao. There are few lakes, the largest are Laguna de Bai, Taal and Lanao. There are over 400 rivers, mostly small, they are rapids and stormy; the largest - Cotabato (550 km) and Cagayan (350 km) are navigable in the lower reaches. 5 interisland seas - Sibuyan, Samar, Visayan, Camote and Mindanao (the last deepest - 1975 m). Lateritic soils predominate. Among the 10 thousand species of plants, more than 9 thousand are higher, 40% of species are endemic, 5.5 million hectares are covered with forest. The fauna is unique: a large percentage of endemics, no large mammals, more than 450 species of birds. The seas are rich in fish - more than 2 thousand species; Mother-of-pearl and pearls are obtained from some shells. Large deposits copper ore (probable reserves in metal 9.2 million tons), chromites (10-15 million tons), gold ore (14 million tons), iron (590 million tons), nickel (3 million tons in metal). Fuel and energy resources do not meet the country's needs; oil is imported. The climate is marine tropical monsoon type. The annual precipitation rate is from 1000 to 4500 mm, the annual air temperature is approx. +27°C with an amplitude of fluctuations of 2-4°C. The archipelago is prone to typhoons.

Population of the Philippines

Since the 1970s the population doubled, and the annual growth rate fell from 2.9 to 1.1%. Infant mortality 31 people. per 1000 newborns (2001). 59% of the total population lives in cities. There are slightly more men than women. Average life expectancy is 69 years. The population is young. Almost 95% of the population over 15 years of age is literate. More than ½ of Filipinos speak English.

The population is multi-ethnic - up to 100 ethnic groups; large - Bisayans (1/3 of the population), Tagalogs (1/4 of the population; play a leading role in the life of the country), Ilocanos, Bicols. The indigenous population is homogeneous anthropologically, belongs to the South Asian variety of the Mongoloid race, speaks almost 100 related languages ​​(the Philippine group of the western branch of the Austronesian language family). Among the small nationalities, the Aeta, or Negrito, stand out - the descendants of the Negro-Australoid aborigines of the equatorial race. The majority of non-indigenous residents are Chinese. According to the Constitution, the church is separated from the state, freedom of religion is confirmed. The vast majority of the population are Christians, of whom St. 80% are Catholics (they were converted to Catholicism by the Spaniards in the 17th century), more than 5% are Protestants, 5-6% are Muslims, approx. 2% are animists, etc.

History of the Philippines

From antiquity until the beginning of European expansion (the last quarter of the 16th century), the Philippines was a peripheral part of the cultural and historical Malay-Indonesian area. Since the 1580s to the end 1890s The Philippines is a colony of Spain, freed from colonial dependence as a result of the national revolution of 1896-98. With the victory of the rebels in 1898, the First Independent Republic was formed and the democratic Constitution of 1898 was adopted. In the same year, under the terms of the Paris Peace Treaty, which ended the Spanish-American War of 1898, the Philippines became a colony of the United States. From 1901 and almost the entire 1st half. 20th century The Philippines is a colony of the United States, which proclaimed a liberal course to prepare Filipinos for self-government (in particular, they introduced a system of elections and parties since 1907). Since 1934, the United States introduced an autonomy regime in the Philippines - a 10-year “transition period” before full sovereignty. In 1935, the Constitution was adopted, and Filipino President M. Quezon (1935-44) was elected. The Philippines experienced Japanese occupation from 1941-45. After the expulsion of the occupiers (spring 1945), decolonization began. In April 1946 - the election of the first president of the independent Philippines - M. Rojas (1946-48), a US protege, an extremely conservative politician. The American model of decolonization, which largely infringed on the sovereignty of the Philippines, did not suit the majority of Filipinos. Social tension resulted in the bloody peasant war of 1948-53, led by the communists. The decisive role in the defeat of the uprising was played by R. Magsaysay, from 1950 - Minister of Defense, then President of the Philippines (1954-57). In mid. 1950s - mid. 60s in the Philippines, a type of façade “oligarchic” democracy was established (real power was in the hands of a few landowning clans that manipulated democratic laws and institutions). Since 1965, the President of the Philippines is F. Marcos, who was re-elected in 1969. In September 1972, he introduced a state of emergency in the Philippines, establishing a regime of personal power. His plans for accelerated modernization were not implemented due to the growth of corruption, capitalism, and the crisis in the economy (at the turn of the 1970s-80s). In February 1986, the dictatorship was destroyed as a result of massive bloodless actions in Manila by opponents of authoritarianism (the “people power” revolution). For the first time in the history of the Philippines, a woman became president - C. Aquino (1986-92). In 1987, a democratic Constitution was adopted. Otherwise, the economic crisis and destabilization continued to deepen. The 1992 elections were won by F. Ramos (1992-98), the only one of the “post-authoritarian” leaders who managed to stabilize the situation. In contrast to the reformer Ramos, the populist, former film actor J. Estrada, who was convicted of corruption and removed from power in 2000 (the “power of the people-2” revolution), won the 1998 elections. Since January 2001, the President of the Philippines has again been a female politician, G. Macapagal-Arroyo. Her government received a heavy inheritance from J. Estrada, and so far attempts to improve the economy and resume the course of modernization have been ineffective.

Government and political system of the Philippines

The Philippines is a democratic unitary state, a republic with a presidential form of government. The Constitution adopted in 1987 is in force. Administratively, the Philippines is divided into provinces (73), united into 17 administrative and economic regions, municipalities, and barangays (rural districts). Large provinces: Pampanga, Rizal, Quezon, Ilocos (Northern and Southern), Cebu, Iloilo, Maguindanao, etc. Large cities: Greater Manila, Davao, Cebu, Iloilo, etc.

Principles public administration are based on the election of government bodies and the division of its branches - legislative, executive, judicial. The highest legislative body is the bicameral Congress. The upper house is the Senate (24 senators aged at least 35 years), elected for 6 years with midterm elections every 3 years and the right to re-election for a second term. The head of the upper house is the President of the Senate, elected by the senators. The House of Representatives (headed by the speaker) is elected for 3 years, consisting of no more than 250 deputies (from 25 years of age) with the right to re-election for 3 terms. The supreme executive power is vested in the President of the Philippines (age to be elected is at least 40 years old and has resided in the Philippines for at least 10 years before the election). The President (and along with him the Vice President) is elected for a term of 6 years without the right to re-election for a second term. At the same time, he is the head of state, government (forms a cabinet responsible to him), and supreme commander-in-chief. The president cannot dissolve parliament, but has the right of veto when passing bills through Congress. In extreme situations, the President has the right to declare a state of emergency for a period limited by Congress.

The Philippines has universal suffrage for all citizens over the age of 18. The electoral system of the Philippines is of a mixed type, including elements of a majoritarian system (election of the president - vice-president, as well as senators by direct secret vote of the general Philippine electorate) and a modified proportional system. Elements of the latter are present in elections to the lower house (the principle of proportional representation when voting by electoral districts and party lists). Save to political system Philippines stereotypes of traditional political culture (clanism in politics, a system of paternalistic vertical connections, etc.) negatively affect the electoral system. The Philippines is among developing countries with a consistently high level of violations of the electoral law - the practice of trading votes, falsifying ballots, pressure from above on the electorate, outbreaks of open violence, etc.

Outstanding presidents: President of the Autonomous Philippines - M. Quezon (1935-44), known for the unique phenomenon of mass popularity, combined with a tough style of government, pro-Americanism and anti-communism; F. Marcos (1965-86), who failed the modernization program, but deserves attention by reorienting the unilateral pro-American foreign policy of the Philippines towards expanding cooperation and partnership with Asian states; F. Ramos (1992-98), a pragmatist and intellectual who achieved success in economic modernization and stabilization of society without breaking democratic structures and the rule of law.

Local authorities - provincial governors, city mayors, provincial legislative assemblies, municipal councils - are formed on the basis of the same election system as the highest authorities. The principles of decentralized management have been introduced locally, and authorities have been given broad powers in the field of budgetary and tax policy, etc. Their activities are controlled by Congress (a source of corruption among both congressmen and local leaders).

The Philippines is characterized by an unformed multi-party system, which includes fragile conglomerates of parties of the traditional type (unions around leaders, not programs). The two leading parties in the past - the Nationalists (founded in 1907) and the Liberal (founded in 1946) - were unable to consolidate after the crackdown during the years of authoritarianism, and are now weak formations and factions within both pro-government and opposition coalitions and blocs. The pro-presidential coalition “Lakas” (“Power of the People”) unites several parties and blocs, incl. such as the National Union of Christian Democrats, the Struggle for Philippine Democracy, the Provincial Development Party, etc. Opponents of Lakas are the Mass Party of ex-President Estrada, the People's Reform Party, etc. The left flank of the opposition - legal “Workers' Party” (founded in 2001) with a program of peaceful forms of struggle for the interests of workers. Left-wing illegal, operating with con. 1960s The Communist Party of the Philippines (left), leads the armed guerrilla "New People's Army" and is part of the "National Democratic Front".

Leading business organizations: Chamber of Industry and Commerce of the Philippines; Federation of Philippine-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Active elements civil society- non-governmental organizations (NGOs), their development is encouraged by the state, in particular, in the form of financial support. Areas of activity of NGOs - security environment, work to improve the lives of peasants, etc. They participate in politics: in elections and as organizers of mass peaceful protests with a pro- and anti-government orientation. Anti-globalist organizations are in the process of formation and adhere to non-violent tactics. Large NGOs in the Philippines: “Village Transformation Movement”, “Green Forum”, etc.

Main tasks in the area domestic policy Philippines - implementation of economic modernization as the basis for stabilizing society; consolidation of the political elite around the presidential reform program, suppression of the opposition, especially its extremist movements. None of these tasks are accomplished. Criticism of President Arroyo for his indecision in the fight against corruption, cronyism, inability to solve the problem of poverty and eliminate the source of violence in the Muslim South comes not only from her opponents, but also from her close circle (representatives of the middle class, leadership catholic church, military elite). The internal political situation of the Philippines remains uncertain and unstable.

The formation of the foreign policy of the Philippines and the adoption of foreign policy decisions are concentrated in the hands of the president (maximum powers), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, its head (often at the same time the vice president), the Security Council, and the National Intelligence Coordination Agency. According to the 1987 Constitution, the role of Congress in shaping foreign policy has been strengthened (international agreements come into force only after they are ratified by 2/3 of the members of the Senate). Since the Marcos presidency, Philippine foreign policy has been based on subjectivity in international relations, the priority of ensuring national interests, independence and multilateralism of diplomacy. Under the multipolar system of Philippine foreign policy special attention pay active equal participation in regional affairs and new integration processes in the Southeast Asia region. At the same time, the political elite of the Philippines never faced the question of abandoning the priority of relations with the United States (weakened in the early 1990s after the withdrawal of American military bases from the Philippines) as the guarantor of regional and national security. Under the Arroyo government, the US military presence in the archipelago has been restored, so far in a format that does not violate the Constitution of the Philippines. Because the United States designated the Philippines as an international terrorism zone, Arroyo invited American military advisers and counterterrorism specialists to assist local troops in operations against Muslim separatists. Strengthening pro-Americanism in foreign policy The Philippines alarms its ASEAN partners (especially Muslim countries) and causes a rise in anti-Americanism among Filipinos who fear the possibility of direct American participation in military operations (in violation of the Constitution). Meanwhile, the Muslim South is still far from pacification. One of the reasons is the low professionalism and outdated technical equipment of the Philippine army, the weakest in the ASEAN countries. The army in the Philippines is regular, formed partly on the basis of universal conscription (from the age of 20), partly from persons hired for 3 years under contracts. Consists of the Ground Forces, Air Force and Navy. The total number is less than 200 thousand people. The Constitution establishes the priority of civil power over the Armed Forces; the military cannot engage in business or politics (except for participation in elections). But dissatisfaction with the ineffectiveness of government policy is brewing among part of the officer corps, so attempts at military conspiracies and rebellions are not excluded (similar precedents have already occurred during the presidency of C. Aquino).

The Philippines has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR in 1976).

Economy of the Philippines

The Philippines is one of the five most advanced economies in Southeast Asia, known as the second wave of Asian Tigers. The economic policies of all governments during the independence period reflected the nature of the political regime, for example, the authoritarian one under F. Marcos, “ new democracy"under C. Aquino, F. Ramos, G. Arroyo. The Philippines, later than other countries of the “five” (which includes, in addition to the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia), began to modernize their economy. The country suffered several serious economic and socio-political crises, which greatly weakened the economy and hampered its modernization. Since 2000, the negative impact on the Philippines of the recession in the world economy, especially in the United States, and the aggravation of the socio-political situation in the country itself, incl. separatist armed uprisings in Muslim areas in the South. The restructuring of the economy is hampered by corrupt officials and the management of the so-called. kroni, or "friends". Important economic reforms remain largely on paper.

Since the 1970s The Philippines began to lag behind other economically more developed countries in Southeast Asia in terms of economic growth. In 2003, the rate of economic growth increased to 4.5%, and the volume of GDP - to 80 billion US dollars.

In GDP consumption, the highest share is personal consumption: in 2001 it amounted to 2561.2 billion pesos, exceeding government spending by 5.8 times and gross savings by 4.1 times. Gross national income per capita in 2001 was $1,050, and more than 1/4 of the population was below the poverty line. Most of this group is in rural areas. Sharp inequality in income distribution remains a pressing problem. Inflation 4.5% (2003).

3/4 of the labor force, or 32.5 million people, was the labor force, incl. 29.4 million were employed and 3.1 million were unemployed. With an increase in the technological level of production, the quality of labor indicators changes - the number of qualified specialists increases. Labor legislation has been in effect since the end. 1980s and applies only to a minority of the workforce - union members. It defines the issues wages, including minimums and allowances, working hours, etc. Pensions and other benefits are issued by two insurance organizations; unemployment assistance is provided exclusively by charitable organizations.

Sectoral structure of GDP (1981 and 2001, %): industry 39.2 and 31.2, agriculture 24.9 and 15.2, services 35.9 and 53.6.

In industry, the greatest changes in the technical level occurred in the most large group industries - manufacturing industry. But its share (like that of the entire industrial sector) fell to 22.4% of GDP in 2001; the share of construction increased to 5.4%, utilities to 3%, and mining decreased to 0.2%. The structure of the manufacturing industry is changing most noticeably due to an increase in the production of high-tech products for export.

IN agriculture, the most backward sector of GDP, 2/3 of the value comes from agriculture, 1/3 from other sectors - livestock, poultry, fishing and forestry. Rice and corn, vegetables and fruits are mainly grown for the local market, but there is not enough food.

The largest service sector industry is trade, which accounted for 14.6% of GDP in 2001, followed by personal and government services- 11.7 and 9.9%, respectively, for other services (real estate transactions, transport, communications, warehousing and financial transactions) - 17.4%. Trade, both in terms of value and number of employees, dominates among other services. Wholesale prices are growing more slowly than consumer ones - in 2001 they increased to 134.7 points with 1995 = 100, and consumer ones - to 149.6 points.

In the Philippines - an island and mountainous country important place engaged in the transportation of passengers and goods by road and shipping. Railways few. Air traffic is poorly developed. The communication system - telephone, telegraph and telex - does not satisfy the population's needs for its services. In terms of the development of foreign tourism - the income received from it and the number of tourists - the Philippines lags significantly behind the most economically advanced countries in Southeast Asia. In 2002, the number of tourists from the USA, Japan, China, EU, Australia and other countries was approx. 3 million people

Management and control over the credit and financial system is carried out by the central bank, created in 1949. It manages gold and foreign exchange reserves, maintains the peso exchange rate, produces foreign exchange transactions, controls the operations of commercial banks and performs other functions. Commercial banks predominate in the credit and financial system. The volume of resources of development banks, savings banks, agricultural banks, and insurance banks is much smaller. Usury persisted in rural areas. Internal and external loans and credits are one of the main forms of financing economic development Philippines. The national capital market is poorly developed. The role of stock exchanges (Manila, Makati, Metropolitan) in the mobilization of capital remains insignificant. The government makes extensive use of public credit to cover the state budget deficit. External loans lead to an increase in external debt, which in 2001 amounted to 73.3%, or 2/3 of GDP, with foreign exchange reserves of 13.44 billion US dollars and gold reserves of 2.2 billion US dollars, or 4 times higher their. Net foreign exchange reserves as of May 2003 were $12.5 billion.

Currently active monetary system introduced with the creation of a central bank, which was assigned the right to control money circulation and the monopoly right to issue money secured by foreign exchange reserves, commercial bills, government securities etc. In structure money circulation deposit money predominates. To the beginning 2002, out of 2139.0 billion pesos in circulation, they accounted for 1746.8 billion pesos, cash - 392.25 billion.

In public finance, a special place is occupied by the state budget, the basis of which is the central budget. Local budgets are financed from it. The main part of the income comes from tax revenues. Expenditures go mainly to finance socio-economic development. The state budget is mostly running a deficit, especially the end. 1990s Revenues in 2001 amounted to 561.9 billion pesos, expenses - 706.4 billion i.e. the deficit accounted for almost 150 billion pesos. In 2002 it increased to over 200 billion pesos, or 3.3% of GDP. In 2003 it was expected to grow to 4.7% of GDP. Using loans from international financial institutions and individual states to cover the deficit, in addition to loans from the central and commercial banks, leads to an increase in external debt.

The Philippines' foreign economic relations are focused on the USA, Japan, China (including Hong Kong), EU countries, Australia and, to a lesser extent, the countries of Southeast Asia. Foreign direct investment comes mainly from US and Japanese multinationals. After the crisis of 1997-98 they decreased significantly. Assistance (loans and credits) is provided by international financial institutions- IMF, World Bank Group, ADB, as well as individual governments and private institutions.

Foreign trade growth rates outpace GDP growth. In foreign trade relations (goods and services) of the Philippines, trade prevails with the USA, Japan, China, EU countries, Australia, and from Southeast Asian countries - with Singapore. The export of goods and services (in 2002 it was equal to 35.2 billion US dollars, or almost half of the country's GDP) was dominated by the export of goods. From ser. 1980s the first place in commodity exports is occupied by electronics components: in 2001, out of 31.2 billion US dollars, they accounted for 16.8 billion. Among traditional export goods, its largest items are: coconut palm products, abaca fiber, raw sugar, copper concentrates . Merchandise imports in 2002 amounted to $35.5 billion; half of its cost accounted for capital equipment and 1/10 for fuel and energy raw materials, mainly oil. The rest of the imports were dominated by food (cereals).

As a result of the monetary and financial crisis of 1997-98, the national currency was seriously devalued. The peso exchange rate against the US dollar has significantly exceeded its pre-crisis level. 1 US dollar is equal to 53.5 pesos (June 2003).

Science and culture of the Philippines

In the field of science, the most important coordinating centers are the National Research Council of the Philippines and the National Science Administration. From ser. 1970s Philippine Center operates basic research at the University of the Philippines, coordinating the scientific activities of various universities and other scientific institutions. The center participates in the development of state programs for the development of science. The main sources of funding for science are the state budget and assistance from the governments of individual countries and international organizations. Practical research is carried out mainly in large corporations. Leading Universities - State University Philippines, private - University of St. Thomas, Ateneo de Manila, Silliman University. Science lacks funds to finance it.

Education is managed by the Ministry of Education and Culture. State higher educational institutions governed by Councils of Regents. Primary education is public, compulsory and free. High school 95% private, higher - 80%. The lack of government funding for the education system hinders its development. Government allocations for education are almost 84% allocated to primary schools, approx. 15% - in secondary and 1% - in higher education. IN elementary school in 2002, about 15 million children aged 7-12 were studying, in secondary education - 6 million, in higher education, including colleges - St. 2.5 million

For a long period (almost 400 years), the Philippines was the object of Westernization, which had a profound impact on the development of spiritual culture, in which alien cultural values ​​brought from the West were partly rejected and partly adopted by the Filipinos in accordance with their worldview and aesthetic experience. The modern spiritual culture of the Philippines is marked by the growth of “cultural nationalism”, the search for originality and cultural self-identification of the Filipinos. The Philippine Constitution defines national culture as “unity in diversity.” The state encourages freedom of creativity, supports cultural figures and creative associations through a system of grants, scholarships, etc. The founder of Philippine literature is H. Rizal (1861-96), writer, publicist, scientist, sculptor, national hero of the Philippines, whose name is known for outside the country. His literary works and journalism had a decisive influence on the development of the national consciousness of the Filipinos, although he wrote mainly in Spanish. Modern Philippine literature is rich in names, genres, and movements. In terms of large scale and depth of subject matter, and highly artistic style, English-language and Tagalog-language literature stands out (literature in regional languages ​​is also developing). Many works by writers and poets writing in English and Tagalog are published in the United States and Europe, including Russia. Major names in English prose are N.V. Gonzalez, Nick Joaquin, poets H. Lansang Jr., R. Tinio, F. Cruz and many others. The largest figure in Tagalog literature is the poet and short story writer A.V. Hernandez (1903-70), on whose works generations of modern writers were raised. The Spaniards also noted the unusual talent of Filipinos in fine arts, their special sense of color (colors of the tropics). Fine art of the Philippines of the 20th century. up to the present day, it absorbs a variety of influences: from academicism, realism, impressionism, abstractionism, various kinds of modern avant-garde movements to a peculiar Philippine primitivism. Most famous names in the visual arts of the Philippines: artists C. Francisco, V. Manansala, A. Luz, Anita Magsaysay-Ho, sculptors N. Abueva, S. Saprid, etc. The architecture of Philippine cities reflects the history of the country: each era left its symbols (Spanish Baroque 16-17 centuries, neoclassicism of the early 20th century, constructivism of the 1930s, modern multi-storey development of business districts, for example Makati in Greater Manila). The most famous Filipino architects of the 1970s-90s. - L. Locsin, S. Concio.