he Republic of the Philippines is a country in the western Pacific Ocean, east of Vietnam, and south of Taiwan. The country includes about 7100 islands, but only eleven are more than 1000 sq mi in size. The total area of the country is about 120,000 sq mi. Manila is the capital and largest city. The Philippine Islands form the northernmost group of the Malay Archipelago.

The Philippines have a tropical climate with plentiful rain. During the rainy season, from May to November, typhoons occasionally cause great damage. Rich mineral deposits include gold, copper, and iron. About one-third of the land is covered by forests containing banyan, palm, and rubber trees. Bamboo, cinnamon, clove, and pepper plants grow wild. Manila hemp plants, also called abaca, yield fiber for textiles and cord.

The population of the Philippines is 76,103,564 (1997 estimate). Mostly descended from Malay invaders, Filipinos are divided according to language and religion. Larger groups include the Visayans, the Tagalogs, and the Ilocanos. The official language is Filipino, but English is commonly used. Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion. Education is free and compulsory.

Although soil quality is poor, agriculture employs 46 percent of workers. Subsistence crops are rice, corn, cassava, and sweet potatoes. Copra, sugarcane, and tobacco are the principal commercial crops. Lumbering, marine fishing, and mining are important industries; manufacturing has expanded. The unit of currency is the peso.

Under the 1987 constitution, the chief executive is a president elected to a single six-year term. The elected legislature consists of a senate of 24 members, serving six-year terms, and a house of representatives with a maximum of 250 members, serving three-year terms.