About the Philippines
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The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (Filipino: Republika ng Pilipinas), is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. Its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire and its tropical climate make the Philippines prone to earthquakes and typhoons but have also endowed the country with natural resources and made it one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the world. An archipelago comprising 7,107 islands, the Philippines is categorized broadly into three main geographical divisions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Its capital city is Manila. |
CLIMATE
__The Philippines has a tropical maritime climate and is usually hot and humid. Temperatures average from 78°F/25°C to 90°F/32°C. The average yearly temperature is around 26.6°C (79.88°F). Mean humidity is at 77%.
Light clothing is ideal all year-round, and absolutely during the hot and dry months (summer) from March to May. But never leave home without your rain gear, umbrella, and heavy clothing during the rainy months from June to October as well as when setting out to the mountainous areas. |
GEOGRAPHY
The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands with a total land area, including inland bodies of water, of approximately 300,000 square kilometers (120,000 sq mi). Its 36,289 kilometers (22,549 mi) of coastline makes it the country with the 5th longest coastline in the world.
Most of the mountainous islands are covered in tropical rainforest and volcanic in origin. The highest mountain is Mount Apo located on the island of Mindanao. The Galathea Depth in the Philippine Trench is the deepest point in the country and the third deepest in the world. Due to the volcanic nature of the islands, mineral deposits are abundant. The country is estimated to have the second-largest gold deposits after South Africa and one of the largest copper deposits in the world. It is also rich in nickel, chromite, and zinc. Geothermal energy is another product of volcanic activity that the country has harnessed more successfully. _ |
TRANSPORTATION
There are many ways to get around, especially in urban areas. Buses, jeepneys, taxis, and motorized tricycles are commonly available in major cities and towns.
Train services are provided by three main railway networks that serve different areas of Metro Manila and parts of Luzon: the Manila Light Rail Transit System (LRT), the Manila Metro Rail Transit System (MRT), and the Philippine National Railways (PNR). Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines _ |
* * * Travel Tips * * *
• When shopping in a public market, it is perfectly acceptable to haggle for the cheapest price.
• English is the most widely spoken next to Filipino/Tagalog, the national language. Learning the basic local phrases may come in handy. Over 111 local dialects are spoken in the country. • Comfortable yet sturdy footwear are best, as traveling the islands will often involve some walking. |
_ • When headed to the remote areas, come prepared with an insect repellant and even your own water in handy containers. Always have the island map with you.
• Prepare to hop in a jeepney, tricycle, or pedicab - exotic modes of land transport that are the most commonly available for going around. Always bring loose change when taking public transport. |
• Know the transport schedules. Some destinations are only being serviced intermittently, not to mention extreme weather conditions that will affect these schedules.
• Air-conditioned taxis should cost PhP40 on the meter. An extra PhP4 will be added for every 500 meters. • When traveling by car, be mindful of the number coding ordinance for vehicles that is being strictly implemented in selected cities. |
• Do not miss visiting during the summer, when there is a concentration of major festivals, celebrations, and events.
• Adapt to local customs; accept local differences. The Filipinos are divided culturally into regions a total of 16, at present, each with its own distinct traits and traditions. • The Philippine monetary unit, the Peso, is generally preferred for financial transactions. Money-changing shops are available in key cities and towns. |