Philippines Flag - Philippine Flag

Flags of the World > Philippines Flag

Brief History. The Philippines were ceded by Spain to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. They attained their independence in 1946 after Japanese occupation in World War II. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand Marcos ended in 1986 when a widespread popular rebellion forced him into exile. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. The Philippines has had two electoral presidential transitions since Marcos' removal by "people power." The government continues to struggle with ongoing Muslim insurgencies in the south.

US Flags

African Flags

Asian Flags

Central American Flags

Caribbean Flags

European Flags

North American Flags

Oceania Flags

South American Flags

Country Information

Local name: Philippines

Capital: Manila

Population: 89,468,677

Government: republic

Currency: Philippine peso (PHP)

Land size: 300,000 sq km

Topography: mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands

Typical foods: adobo, lumpia, sinigang, bistek

Major exports: electronic equipment, machinery and transport equipment, garments, optical instruments, coconut products, fruits and nuts, copper products, chemicals

Information on the People

Official language: Filipino, English

Other languages spoken: eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

Religions: Roman Catholic 80.9%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, Muslim 5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1%

Literacy rate: 92.6%

Male/Female Ratio: 1 male(s) to every 1 female

Life expectancy: 70.21 years

Ethnic groups: Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3%

Internet users: 7.82 million

Famous people: Imelda Marcos, Paolo Montalban

<< Previous Flag: Peru Flag | Next Flag: Pitcairn Islands Flag >>

News From This Region
In PHOTOS: 6.8 earthquake jolts Philippines
The quake struck about 70 kilometers from the coastal city of Dumaguete on the Philippine island of Negros, the US Geological Survey said.

Aftershocks rattle Philippines; quake death toll climbs
A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Monday off the third-largest island in the Philippines, killing at least 12 people, an official said.

Aftershocks rattle Philippines; quake death toll climbs to 15
A 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Monday off the third-largest island in the Philippines has killed at least 15 people, the government said.

Earthquake kills 12 in Philippines
A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Monday off the third-largest island in the Philippines, killing at least 12 people, an official said.

Death Toll Climbs in Philippines Quake
MANILA : A 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Monday off the third-largest island in the Philippines has killed at least 15 people, the government said, CNN reported.