Full country name: Republic of the Philippines
Area: 299,000 sq km (116,610 sq mi)
Population: 68 million (growth rate 2.5%)
Capital city: Manila (pop: 10 million)
People: Predominantly descendants of Malays, Chinese and Muslim minorities and a number of mestizos (Filipino-Spanish or Filipino-Americans)
Language: Pilipino (Tagalog) and English plus numerous widely spoken indigenous languages, some Spanish
Religion: 82% Roman Catholic, 9% Protestant, 5% Muslim, 3% Buddhist
Government: Republic
President: Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

GDP: US$173 billion
GDP per head: US$2660
Annual growth: 2.5%
Inflation: 7.5%
Major products/industries: Electronic and electrical products, clothing
Major trading partners: USA, Japan, Taiwan