Philippines - country information

Our country information for Philippines provides relevant facts and figures as well as useful links to resources, websites and local media.     

Philippines

Population: 106.6 million (2018 est)

Geography: The Philippines is an archipelago composed of about 7,500 islands totalling approximately 300,000 square kilometres

Climate: Tropical maritime climate that is usually hot and humid

World heritage sites: Baroque churches (four listed), Historic Town of Vigan, Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park

Capital City: Manila

Official languages: Filipino (standardised version of Tagalog), English

Political system: The politics of the Philippines take place in an organised framework of a presidential, representative, and democratic republic whereby the president is both head of state and the head of government within a multi-party system.

Travel advisory information: For up-to-date travel advice for Philippines from the New Zealand government visit safetravel.govt.nz

Useful websites

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

• New Zealand Embassy in Manila

• Embassy of Philippines in Wellington

• Philippines Market Guide

• Lonely Planet

Media

• The Manila Times

• The Philippine Star