ABSTRACT
The Republic of the Philippines is an archipelago consisting of 7,640 islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It spans an area of 120,000 square miles, with maritime borders including the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, and Celebes Sea. It is located in what is called the “Ring of Fire,” making it susceptible to natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons. With a population of 110.8 million, it is the 13th most populous country in the world. Manila, the capital and one of the most densely populated cities in the world, is home to 14.6 million people. The Philippines is ethnically diverse: Tagalog, Bisaya/Binisaya, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon/Ilonggo, Bikol, and Waray are the predominant ethnic groups. Languages spoken include the official languages of Filipino and English, in addition to eight other common dialects: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan. The majority of the Filipino population is Roman Catholic, in contrast to many of its Southeast Asian neighbors, which practice Buddhism.
