Area 300,000 sq.km. 80 provinces; 7,250 islands, of which over 700 are inhabited. THe largest are Luzon in the north and Mindanao in the south. Over 75% mountains; prone to devastating typhoons. 94.2% of the people are Malayo-Indonesian Filipinos, 3.5% are mixed race, 2.1% are Chinese and 0.2% others. Literacy rate is 95%.

A mixed agricultural and industrial economy. High population growth, widespread corruption, protectionism, social and political unrest, two guerrilla wars and a series of natural disasters have played havoc with the economy, causing widespread poverty and unemployment. THe uncontrolled crime wave and series of kidnappings along with the closing of US military bases in 1992 have cut aid and inhibited foreign investment. THe Asian economic crisis of 1997 was a further setback. Between 32% and 50% live below the poverty line.

(Data extracted from operation world 2000)