zoom_in Click to enlarge

Philippines

▲ ▼

description Philippines Overview

The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands in the western Pacific Ocean, with Manila as its capital. A Spanish colony named after King Philip II and later an American territory, it became independent in 1946 and retains Filipino and English as official languages alongside a majority Roman Catholic population shaped by centuries of Spanish rule. The country sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, with active volcanoes such as Mayon, and lies in the typhoon belt. Its Austronesian-language cultures and high levels of endemic biodiversity span the islands.

help Philippines FAQ

How many islands does the Philippines actually have?

The official count is 7,641 islands at low tide, a figure published by the Philippine mapping agency NAMRIA in 2016. Older guidebooks often cite 7,107, which was the previous tally.

Do people in the Philippines speak English?

Yes, Filipino and English are both official languages, and English is the main language of government, education and business. The country's American colonial era ended with independence on 4 July 1946, and it is named after Spain's King Philip II from its earlier Spanish colonial period.

When is typhoon season in the Philippines?

Typhoons generally threaten the country from roughly June to November, with the peak around August to October. The driest and most popular travel window is November to April, when the northeast monsoon brings cooler, clearer weather.

Which islands should first-time visitors to the Philippines prioritize?

Palawan is the star, home to the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the lagoons of El Nido. Boracay's White Beach, Cebu's diving spots and the Chocolate Hills of Bohol — more than 1,200 symmetrical mounds — are the other classic stops.