Philippines Travel Overview
Important facts
Capital: Manila (See more on ITYPEMBA.COM)
Official language: Filipino, English
Currency: Peso 1PHP = 0.02EUR
Continent: South East Asia
Vacation in Philippines
The Philippines are partly undeveloped archipelagos in Southeast Asia. Small islands invite you to adventure and sunken ships are silent witnesses of the Second World War that can be explored on a diving safari.
Manila
The capital Manila on the main island of Luzón, which is also the largest city, has an airport that is central to all of Southeast Asia. There you can take a rental car to explore the island.
The main land vehicles are “jeepneys”. These are American jeeps converted into minibuses that date back to the American occupation. The technical condition of simple public transport is generally poor and its use is therefore not advisable.
Nature
Although there are countless national parks and protection zones on the various islands, only about 5% of the state area is under nature protection. Well-known national parks include the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park with the longest underground river in the world, the Quezon National Forest Park or the Hundred Islands National Park.
Luzón is home to the famous Banaue and Batad rice terraces and the Pinatubo, Taal and Mayon volcanoes. The conical mayon rising from the lowlands is certainly one of the most beautiful volcanoes in the world.
In the province of Laguna – about two hours from Manila – are the Pagsanjan Falls. The historic town of Vigan is also worth a visit.
Bohol: This is where the so-called “Chocolate Hills” are located. Bus tours to the hills are regularly offered. Bohol is also famous for its good diving opportunities.
There are also numerous sights in the Philippines that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites among others the baroque churches in Manila, Intramuros and Paoay and Miagao or the coral reef Tubbataha.
Active vacation in Philippines
There are now international diving centers and resorts in many places across the archipelago. Puerto Galera on Mindoro was and is still a diving stronghold today. In the Visayas, diving activities are largely concentrated in Bohol, Moalboal and the Dumaguete region. Coron in northern Palawan is just as popular with wreck divers as Subic Bay. In the west of Luzon. Here you can dive various wrecks from the Second World War. Liveaboardsare also becoming increasingly popular in the Philippines. The goals are the Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea and the Apo Reef north of Mindoro. The Philippines are located in the coral triangle and have an above-average biodiversity. Most dive sites are close to the coast and can be reached in a few minutes from the respective hotel.
Boracay is a paradise island and has a very good tourist infrastructure. It is ideal for a wellness vacation.
If you want to consciously escape mass tourism in the Philippines, a detour to the island of Bantayan is recommended.
However, some parts of the country should generally be avoided, as there have been more and more kidnappings of foreign tourists, especially since the beginning of the 90s.
Climate and travel time
According to Countryaah, the Philippines are located in the tropical climate zone. Monsoon rainy season is June to October. The short summer from March to May is dry and very hot. November to February is the best time to travel.
The accommodation options in the Philippines are diverse. In the tourist areas, it is almost nicer to visit a resort, where you can even rent bungalows cheaply. In the province there is also the possibility of staying in small private pensions.
The daring opt for a tent as a place to stay. Without camping experience, however, this variant is not advisable, mainly because it is not easy to get everyday items at every location.
Currency
Currency (sub-unit)
Peso (100 centavos)
ISO 4217 code
PHP / 608
Geography
Continent: Asia
Region: Southeast
Geo coordinates: N 12 ° 52 ’47 ” E 121 ° 46′ 26.5″
Highest mountain: Moun Apo (2,954 m)
Total area: 300,000 km²
Mainland: 298,170 km²
Coastline: 36,389 km
Politics
Dependency: United States of America until 1946
UN member since: 1945
Form of government: People’s Republic
Economy
Export goods: Cotton, rice, hides
BSP: $ 116,422,000,000
GDP: $ 98,187,400,000
GDP purchasing power parity: $ 468.9 billion
Economic growth: 5.9%
GDP share of agriculture: 13.9%
GDP share of industry: 33.7%
GDP share of services: 52.4%
Inflation rate: 8.4%
Unemployment: 9.3%
State budget revenue: $ 4294967295
State budget expenditure: $ 4294967295
National debt: 71.5%
Export: $ 45.94 billion
Import: $ 46,034,000,000
Foreign debt: $ 69.14 billion
Gold and currency reserves: $ 18.24 billion
Electricity consumption: 49,890 million KWh
Gas reserves: 106,800 million m³
Gas production: 2,530 million m³
Gas consumption: 2,530 million m³
Oil reserves: 152 million m³
Oil production: 15,000 million m³
Oil consumption: 360,000 million m³
Cultivation area: 35.66%
Pigs: 12,268,000 pieces
Fishing: 2,560,000 t
Demographic data
Residents: 89,468,700
Residents in cities: 54,620,000
Average age: 22.5 years
0-14 years: 35%
15-64 years: 61%
> 65 years: 4%
Population growth: 1.8%
Birth rate: 24.89 / 1,000 residents
Death rate: 5.41 / 1,000 residents
Migration: -1.48 / 1,000 residents
Ratio men / women: 1
Fertility: 3.11 children / woman
Infant mortality: 22.81 ‰
Life expectancy men: 67.32 years
Life expectancy women: 73.24 years
Country codes and abbreviations
ISO 3166 Alpha 2: PH
ISO 3166 Alpha 3: PHL
ISO 3166 numeric: 608
Top Level Domain: ph
IOC country code: PHI
UN / LOCODE: PH
Source: Abbreviationfinder
Communication
Telephone connections: 3,950,000
Cell Phones: 30,040,000
Radios: 1,410,000
TV: 16,790,000
Computer: 4,010,000
Internet users: 17,110,000
Transportation
Railway lines: 897 km
Paved roads: 21,315 km
Cars: 873,000
Merchant fleet (ships over 1,000 GRT): 403
Pipelines: 800
Health
Number of doctors: 102,870
Daily food intake: 2,410 kcal / resident
HIV- infected people: 10,000
Education
Illiteracy: 7%
History
Foundation: 1946
Last sovereign since: 1946
Religion
Main religious group: Christians
Crime
Prison inmates: 77,100
Military
Armed forces (troop strength): 106,000
Main battle tank: 70
Battleships: 1
Warplanes: 50
Defense Spending: $ 861,000,000