| More than the usual- this is how the Philippine is | | | | of the major reasons why the archipelago is one |
| positioned in the tourism block. The country is an | | | | of the favorite places for travelers who seek to |
| archipelago and known officially as the Republic of | | | | experience nature at its best. Another main |
| the Philippines. This archipelago is located in | | | | reason why the country is always part of the list |
| Southeast Asia and holds the distinction of being | | | | of preferred travel destinations is that the |
| one of only two predominantly Christian countries | | | | country is rich in natural resources and its scenic |
| in Asia. The other country is East Timor. There | | | | spots are panoramic and ready to comfort and to |
| are around 7,107 islands in the country and these | | | | overwhelm the first-time visitors. The natural |
| islands host around 90 million people. This | | | | resources of the country are extensive and this |
| population based on 2008 estimates makes the | | | | can be seen in many areas like agriculture, |
| country as the 12th most populous country in the | | | | forestry and minerals. |
| world. For the traveler interested to know more | | | | Talking about the archipelago is not complete |
| about the country, it should be learned that the | | | | without talking about its fertile and arable lands, |
| country has around 11 million overseas Filipinos | | | | the forests that host diverse flora and fauna and |
| worldwide and these are the Filipinos who work in | | | | the panoramic coastlines. For those travelers |
| other country and one of the main reasons why | | | | willing to sample what the country has to offer |
| the economy of the country is competitive. | | | | over a limited amount of time, it is suggested |
| According to 2008 estimates, the gross domestic | | | | that the interested traveler should focus on its |
| product or the GDP of the country is pegged at | | | | culture, its beaches and its heritage. The unique |
| over US$ 327.2 billion and this is considered as the | | | | Philippine culture will let the traveler experience the |
| 37th largest in the world. The name | | | | many festivals in the country- from Sinulog in |
| ‘Philippine’ traces a long history. This | | | | Cebu to the Penafrancia Festival in the Bicol |
| name was derived from the name of King Philip II | | | | Region. The country has a number of festivals |
| of Spain in the 16th century. It was the initiative | | | | and these festivals will usually peak during April |
| of Ruy Lopez de Villalobos to use the name Las | | | | and May- the time for the country’s fiestas. |
| Islas Filipinas or the Philippine Islands as his name | | | | Most of these festivals have links to the church |
| for the islands Leyte and Samar. And the use of | | | | and religious in nature. |
| this name was in reference and in honor of the | | | | Visiting the country without visiting some of its |
| Prince of Spain. A further examination of the | | | | finest beaches is not suggested. Since the country |
| name ‘Philippine’ will reveal that this has | | | | boasts of around 7,107 islands and a coastline |
| Greek roots and according to historians this was | | | | twice the length of the United States, you can |
| the name of the father of Alexander the Great. | | | | really expect that the country will have some |
| The country is divided geographically into three | | | | best beaches. Mere mention of the Philippine will |
| groups: | | | | evoke images of fine and white beaches of |
| • Luzon | | | | Boracay, Palawan and some of the more not-so |
| • Visayas | | | | commercial yet beautiful sands of other beaches. |
| • Mindanao | | | | Some names that should be part of the plans of |
| And these three major island grouping is then | | | | the traveler include Pagudpud, Mactan Island and |
| sub-divided into 17 regions, another 81 provinces | | | | Panglao. And speaking of heritage, the country is |
| and 136 cities. The country also plays host to | | | | home to Ifugao Rice Terraces which is now part |
| 1,494 municipalities and 41,995 barrios. The | | | | of the UNESCO Heritage List in 1995. Aside from |
| government also controls Sabah, North Borneo as | | | | this rice terraces, Philippine also plays host also to |
| asserted by Section 2 of the Republic Act | | | | many old churches- baroque churches in Metro |
| Number 5446. Ecologically, the country is known | | | | Manila and these are all considered as heritage |
| as one of those countries which feature diverse | | | | sites that carry the country’s culture and |
| flora and fauna. This feature of the country is one | | | | history. |