Map of the Philippine IslandsPhilippine Population: 87 million..and growing! (Canada’s population is 32 million)

Size: 300,000 square kms (that’s less that 1/3 the size of British Columbia alone!)

Number of Islands:  7107...during high tide. During low tide, there are only 7100.  Out of thes 7100 islands, only about 500 are actually inhabited! 

Largest Islands:  three major islands areas: Luzon (Northern), the Visayas (Central), and Mindanao (South)

Two official languages:  Tagalog and English

Other languages spoken:  Cebuano, Ilocano, Pampangueno, Bicolano, to name a few

Religion:  82% Catholic, 9% Protestant, 5% Muslim, 3% Buddhist

President: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo 

The Philippine Flag
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines
The Philippine Flag

The Philippine flag is symbolic of the country’s roots and people. 

The sun represents the dawning of a new era of self determination that was desired in 1897 (when the flag was first designed) after the Spanish-American war and the US promise of independence, which was granted in 1946. The 8 rays on the sun stand for the 8 provinces that rose in revolt against Spanish rule in the late 19th century. The 3 stars stand for the 3 principal geographic areas of the country, Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

The red stripe represents courage and bravery, and the blue stripe is for noble ideals. The white triangle stands for the Katipunan, a revolutionary organization that led the revolt against Spain and the color white represents peace and purity.

What makes the Philippine flag unique - in wartime, the blue and red are inverted.