Philippines: history, population, government and political system. Philippines Philippines capital of which country

- a state in the western part of the Pacific Ocean, lying on the Philippine Islands, which are part of the Malay Archipelago. In the east it is washed by the Philippine Sea, in the south - by the Celebes Sea, in the west - by the South China Sea. The state is located on more than 7100 islands, but most of them have an area of \u200b\u200bless than 2.5 km2.

The country is named after King Philip II of Spain.

Official name: Republic of the Philippines (Pilipinas)

Capital:

The area of \u200b\u200bthe land: 300 thousand sq. km

Total population: 92 million people

Administrative division: Divided into 74 provinces.

Form of government: Republic.

Head of State: President elected for a term of 6 years.

Population composition: 80% are Filipinos, 10% are Chinese, Malays, Americans, Indians, Spaniards, as well as representatives of local peoples: Tagals, Ilokans, Moro, mestizo.

Official language: Filipino (Tagalog or Tagalog), English and Spanish are also used.

Religion: 83% of the population are Catholics, 9.5% are Protestants. The more traditional religions for this region: Islam and Buddhism account for 5 and 3% of the population, respectively.

Internet domain: .ph

Mains voltage: ~ 220 V, 50 Hz

Country dialing code: +63

Country barcode: 480

Climate

In general, the climate of the Philippines is tropical, monsoon, but due to the strong dissection of the relief, different exposure of slopes in relation to wet monsoon currents and paths of tropical cyclones, the degree of distance from the ocean, it is heterogeneous.

The air temperature in the Philippine Islands is stable all year round. The difference between the hottest and coldest months in the north is 4 ° C, and even less in the south. The average annual temperature in the plains is approx. 27 ° C. Geographic latitude, in contrast to the absolute height factor, does not significantly affect temperature regime.

Thus, in the northern part of Luzon Island, the climate is slightly cooler than on the islands of the Sulu archipelago located 1600 km closer to the equator. Meanwhile, in the summer on the same island, there is a sharp contrast between the hot, humid climate of the Central Lowlands and the cool, temperate climate of the Cordillera Central, where the city of Baguio, the country's former "summer capital", is located.

The annual rainfall in the Philippines usually exceeds 2000 mm. According to the moisture conditions (the amount and seasonal distribution of precipitation), four areas are distinguished. 1. In the eastern regions of the Philippine archipelago (east coast of Luzon, Bohol and Leyte, central and western parts of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago) precipitation falls evenly throughout the year. 2.

In the western regions of the country (in the west of the islands of Luzon, Mindoro, Panay, Palawan, Negros) there are two seasons: winter-spring dry - 50-200 mm of precipitation (October - April) and summer-autumn wet (from April to October there are intense rains caused by strong south-westerly winds). 3. In the northeast of Luzon, Samar Island, the east of Leyte and Mindanao islands, precipitation falls all year round, but their maximum falls in November - January. In the summer and autumn months, typhoons periodically hit Luzon and the Visayas from the east and northeast.

Catastrophic floods are associated with prolonged torrential rains. Annual precipitation in this area is 2000–4000 mm. 4. The region, which includes the eastern regions of the islands of Mindoro, Panay, Negros, Cebu and the northwest of Minandao Island, is characterized by an average annual rainfall of 1300–1500 mm and a relatively short dry period.

Geography

State in Southeast Asia, located in the Philippine Islands, stretching from north to south in the western part of the Pacific Ocean. In the north it borders on Taiwan (Bashi Strait), in the south with Malaysia (Balabak and Alis straits) and Indonesia, in the east it is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, in the west - by the South China Sea. The entire territory between the Philippine islands is occupied by numerous inland seas and straits. total area countries 300 thousand sq. km., the area of \u200b\u200binland water areas - more than 1.8 thousand square meters. km.

The country includes more than 7.1 thousand islands, of which about 1000 are permanently inhabited, and more than 2500 are not only not inhabited, but do not even have a name. The islands are located in three groups - the northern island of Luzon and adjacent islands, the central Visayan group (about 6 thousand islands) and southern Mindanao with the surrounding islands.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

In the Philippine Islands, the floristic composition is rich and diverse and includes more than 10 thousand species. Includes about 3 thousand trees, 1 thousand ferns and ferns, 900 species of orchids. About 60 species of tree species are of commercial value. Forests cover more than 40% of the country's territory.

The Philippines is dominated by humid evergreen rainforests in the north and equatorial rainforests in the south. In areas of constant moisture up to a height of 500-800 m, multi-tiered dipterocarp forests are widespread, in which there are many valuable tree species (tanhile, mayapis, guizo, almon, white and red louan, large-flowered dipterocarpus, yakal, narra, erythrofleum).

Epiphytes are numerous - orchids and rafflesia (the diameter of its flower reaches 1 m). In the lower tier and along the forest edges, palm trees grow, including those of great economic importance sugar (or feathery), fan, areca (or betelny), rattan liana. Where there is a winter-spring dry season, monsoon deciduous forests are common.

Evergreen oak forests with palm undergrowth, alternating with oak-maple-myrtle forests entwined with lianas and with mosses, lichens and orchids on tree trunks grow in the upper part of the designated belt and slightly above it.

At altitudes of 1000–2000 m, pure pine (with island pine and Merkuza) grow, in which such a valuable tree species as white agathis is found.

In some places in the coastal strip, there are mangrove forests consisting of pointed rhizophora, small-flowered brughier and soneration. The nipa palm grows along the periphery of these forests. In the course of anthropogenic activity, significant areas of virgin forests were destroyed, as a result of which many soils were severely eroded or overgrown with the tough tropical grass Alang-Alang (Imperata cylindrica), which the locals call "kogon".

Animal world

In general, the fauna of the Philippines is characterized by high endemism and a small number of mammalian species. Of the large mammals in the Philippines, there are two subspecies of the Asiatic buffalo - carabao and tamarau (the latter is found only in the central regions of Mindoro).

Smaller mammals are represented somewhat more widely. These include five species of macaques, tarsiers (a representative of semi-monkeys), rodents, are numerous the bats (about 60 species, including fruit bats, causing great damage to gardens) and shrews, as well as the Javanese deer (or dwarf musk deer) and the porcupine living on Palawan Island, the Filipino wool wing, the pangolin lizard. Among the predators, there are such small animals as short-footed mongoose, binturong (from civet), and strange tail.

The abundance of reptiles (crocodiles, snakes, turtles, lizards, including geckos) is characteristic.

Several hundred bird species have been recorded in the Philippines. The avifauna is similar to the Malaysian and Australian ones. More than 300 bird species nest in the Philippine Islands, including a rare bird of prey from the hawk family - the harpy (lives in the forests of Mindanao, feeds on macaques).

The species diversity of insects is huge, among which there are many carriers of diseases (for example, mosquitoes) and agricultural pests (cicadas, etc.). The variety and beauty of butterflies is striking.

More than 2 thousand species of fish are found in the seas, many of which are of commercial importance (sardines, mackerel, tuna, etc.). In the shallow waters of the Sulu archipelago, there are large colonies of molluscs, including pearl mussels.

sights

• Boracay
• Villa Escudero
• Miagao Church

Banks and currency

The Philippine currency is the Philippine Peso (PHP code 608). 1 Philippine peso equals 100 centavos.

In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 pesos, as well as coins in denominations of 5, 10, 25 centavos; 1, 5 and 10 pesos.

In addition to the national currency, US dollars are widely used in the Philippines. Prices for goods and services are often quoted in both pesos and dollars.

You can exchange currency in the Philippines at banks, hotels and some shops. In addition, you can use the services of private money changers, which are easy to find in shopping centers and department stores. Money changers, as a rule, offer a more favorable exchange rate than in banks, but when working with them there is a risk of fraud.

Mainly US dollars, euros and pounds sterling are accepted for exchange in the Philippines. It is difficult to exchange any other currency, especially outside large cities.

Banks in the country work from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 15.00 / 16.00.

Major credit cards are accepted in major cities in shops, restaurants and hotels. At the same time, credit cards are practically not used in the province.

Useful information for tourists

It will be useful to know that taxi drivers in the capital never give change. On the islands, a tip is accepted - 5-10% of the amount of the bill for taxi, hotel and restaurant services. Major shops and hotels accept major credit cards and traveller's checks, and are unlikely to be used in the provinces.

To spend an unforgettable vacation, visit new places, see the beauty of nature or unusual landscapes - people dream of all this at any time of the year, which is why the question arises where the Philippines is located - a resort paradise consisting of many beautiful island territories that offer excellent weather conditions and many different ways to spend your free time.

When choosing tours or places to travel, some want their vacation to be remembered not only by noisy parties, but also by unusual, romantic minutes that can be spent in secluded and quiet places with a picturesque landscape.

In contact with

Philippines - position on the world map

Have you ever wondered how many Philippine Islands are there? What part of the world is this? Can you show them on the world map? The state represents 7000 island territories located in Southeast Asia. The Philippines on the world map can be found in the west, neighboring territories - Taiwan and Indonesia.

The capital of the Philippines is Manila, the largest city is Quezon City

Largest islands Philippines:

• Visayan;
• Mindanao;
• Luzon (makes up 66% of the entire country).

Resort areas, the most famous all over the world:

• Boracay;
• Bohol;
• Cebu;
• Mindoro (the largest volcano in the state is located here - almost 3000 meters);
• Palawan;
• Negros;
• Mactan;
• Mindanao.

Here the tourist will be able to discover not only the unusual nature, but also enjoy the beaches, which are one of the most comfortable and cleanest in the world. There are hotels and hotels in this country that provide services at the highest level. Local cuisine will delight you with a variety of seafood and fish dishes, due to the geographical location of the islands.

The relief of the islands is mainly composed of mountains, the highest of which is the Apo volcano (2954 m) - located on the island of Mindanao

The Philippine Islands are part of the Malay Archipelago. The bulk of the large island territories originated from volcanic activity. For those wishing to admire the large mountain range, it is necessary to take a tour that involves visiting or living on the island of Luzon.

Brief information about the islands

With an area of \u200b\u200bonly 38.55 km², Manila is considered the most populous city in the world

Those who are going on vacation should know the following:

1. The capital of the Philippines is Manila.
2. The total area of \u200b\u200bthe Philippines, according to Wikipedia, is nearly 300,000 km2.
3. The population density is 306 people per km2.
4. The form of government in the Philippines is a republic.
5. In the ranking, the country ranks 72nd in terms of area.
6. The territory of the Philippines is about 2000 km long from north to south and 900 km from west to east.
7. The republic includes 81 provinces, which make up 18 regions or, as they are also called, states.
8. The national currency of the republic is the peso (Philippine).
9. English and Filipino serve as official languages.
10. The majority of the population is Catholic (81%). There are also other religions: Protestants (about 10-11.5%) and Muslims (4-5%). The rest adhere to the traditional religions for the area.
11. Time in the Philippines - +8 hours to Moscow.
12. Electricity on the islands is carried out, the main types of outlets are designs A, in rare cases B.
13. Visas for tourist stays not exceeding 30 days are not required to enter the territory of the island republic. In the event that you need to stay in the Philippines for a long period of time (31 days or more), you will need to issue documents. Visa applications must be submitted in advance.
14. The price for a visa ranges from $ 40 to $ 120.
15. The archipelago is washed on the west by the South China Sea, in the east by the Philippine Sea, and in the south by the sea called Sulawesi.
16. The ocean near the country is Pacific.
17. Fresh water can be found in the Cagayan River (this is a large source), the largest lake in the country is located in Luzon and is called Laguna de Bai.
18. Despite the fact that there are between 120 and 175 languages \u200b\u200bin the Philippines, Russian is not spoken here. Therefore, when you travel, try to learn the essential phrases in Filipino.

Climate and weather

The Philippines is a special climatic place, which is located in the zone of the tropical monsoon climate, smoothly transitioning in the southern regions to the subequatorial temperature regime. The differences between these regions are the air temperature in winter.

The coldest month here is January and the hottest is May.

The main features of the climate of the Philippines, which should be considered when choosing the time to travel:

• the average temperature, regardless of the season, is 26-27 degrees;
• air humidity is relatively high and amounts to 77%;
• the average rainfall is 1200 mm / year;
• seasonal typhoons occur several times a year and can vary in destructive power.

It is also customary to distinguish 3 main seasons in the Philippines:

1. Dry and relatively cold - 28 degrees on average, with minimum amount precipitation. Months - from October to February.
2. Dry, hot - the average temperature is 33 degrees, little precipitation. The months are from March to May.
3. Rainy - the average temperature is 30 degrees, the likelihood of typhoons is high, precipitation of varying intensity occurs daily.

Typhoons often hit the northern regions of the country, tsunamis are possible

Considering the amount of precipitation, there are 4 main zones:

1. The eastern coast of the islands - there is no heavy rainfall, during the rainy season the amount is not too large.
2. The eastern part is characterized by heavy rainfall from June to November. The climate is dry in winter.
3. In the west of the country, it rains more in summer and autumn than in spring and winter.
4. The northwest is characterized by dry weather from late autumn to mid-spring.
5. The northeastern coast and Mindanao on the eastern side are distinguished by a large amount of precipitation at any time of the year; typhoons are recorded here more often than the rest of the republic.

Natural world on the islands

A visit to the territory of the island republic is necessary for those who wish to see unusual flora and fauna, since more than 50% of the country is rainforest.

About half of the Philippines is covered with tropical rainforest, dominated by palm trees, rubber plants, banyan tree, apitong, Mayapis, lauan

Accordingly, most of the trees are:

• palm trees;
• lauan;
• banyan tree.

Bamboo, orchids, jasmine and cinnamon also grow on the territory of the islands. At an altitude of more than 1.2 km above sea level, various shrubs grow, as well as meadows.

The Philippine eagle lives exclusively in the local rainforests and is one of the national symbols of this country.

The fauna is no less interesting and diverse. Here tourists have the opportunity to see:

• deer;
• mongoose;
• primates;
• the Filipino eagle;
• many butterflies;
• wild boar (wild);
• various birds;
• variety of species of reptiles.

That is why tourists will be able to create photographs of unusual beauty and picturesqueness.

Philippines - sights and amazing places

The main purpose of a tourist trip is a high-quality and interesting vacation, the opportunity to see interesting places and attractions located on the territory of the state with your own eyes.

Boracay Island White Beach is listed as one of the ten best beaches in the world

In the case of the Philippines, they can be divided into:

• natural;
• material (history and culture);
• intangible (contests, customs, national dances).

The numerous islands that form the country are the main pride and attraction, since each of them has a special natural area - volcanoes, mountains, forests, plains and lakes with magnificent waterfalls.

Take note: the beaches are also a landmark of the archipelago, since many of them have not just golden sand, but pink and even snow-white, unusual for most tourists.

On an area of \u200b\u200b50 square kilometers in the province of Bohol, there are, according to various sources, from 1260 to 1776 "chocolate" hills

A feature of natural attractions are:

• chocolate Hills (Bohol Island);
• underground river (Palawan island).

Note: for their unique data, they are included in the list of the main attractions of the planet.

The volcanoes in the country are very beautiful, in the crater of one of them a small lake was formed (Luzon Island). Mount Apo, which is located on the island of Mindanao, is considered the largest in the state.

Waterfalls are attractions of the whole country as a whole, and of every province where they are available. The gorgeous coral reefs deserve special attention.

The architectural and cultural attractions of the Philippines cover a long historical period - from pre-colonial times to the present and obtaining the status of an independent republic.

Tourists should visit:

• rice terraces (Banaue);
• Intramuros (old part of the capital of the country);
• Manila Cathedral (the largest in the state);
• Luneta Park;
• risal monument;
• cebu city - the oldest city in the Philippines;
• tomb and cross of Magellan;
• colorful Chinese temple in Cebu.

The old buildings have been preserved in Wigan, a small town on the island of Luzon.

Various competitions, festivals and even cockfighting held in the country also attract the attention of tourists.

National cuisine of the Philippine Islands

Not only what to see, but also what to eat in the Philippines is of interest to tourists. Filipino cuisine, unusual for most vacationers, conquers with its dishes. She collected all the best from Asia, East, China, Spain and America.

Lechon is a whole pig roasted on a spit. Previously, he was almost the main dish at all big holidays or weddings

There are also simple dishes, which include seafood, rice, fish, and complex ones - national, but adapted to local characteristics.

The most popular ones:

• lechon;
• adobo;
• shinigang;
• fish sauce.

At the same time, the local cuisine is not too spicy and spicy. The main product found in a large number of recipes is rice. It is used in first courses, side dishes, with sauce and seafood. Also traditional sauces include sweet and sour, soy and vinegar; shrimps are also used for making gravies.

In cafes and restaurants, people use ordinary cutlery, but ordinary people can eat with their hands. Most desserts are prepared from a variety of fruits.

Accommodation features

The peculiarities of accommodation for tourists are the opportunity to choose between cozy bungalows, which are located on the coast, in picturesque places, and living in modern hotels or inns.

Tourists get everything they need in each of the places chosen for living, including the Internet.

Experienced advice: in order to save time and money, it is recommended to make a reservation in advance or look for accommodation based on feedback from tourists.

You should also take into account the peculiarities of climatic conditions - during the period of precipitation and typhoons, it is possible that the roads will be washed out and there is a possibility that tourists will be at the airport for 1-2 days.

It is worth noting: the staff working in hotels is not rushed, so vacationers should be ready for this.

Entertainment and recreation

In order for tourists to have fun and interesting during their vacation, there is a varied cultural and entertainment program on the islands, which covers both adults and children. One of the most interesting ways to spend time with benefit is diving, water activities and attractions.

Typical reefs in the Philippines are characterized by a shallow top, covered with barrel sponges, sea fans, rocky and soft corals, among which fish swim with might and main

Also, entertainment should include various national holidays. The main ones that will be of interest to tourists are:

1. Christmas (December 25) New Year, Good Friday, All Saints Day, May 1st.
2. The last day of Ramadan is a weekend for the islands.
3. Particularly interesting will be the festive events traditional for the islands - the Manila procession on the Day of the Black Nazarene, which takes place on 9 January.
4. The Flower Festival is held in Baguio throughout February.
5. On May 15, Pachiyas is held - a holiday held in honor of St. Isidore, on this day, residents decorate their houses with fruit and vegetable compositions.

Shopping

Large modern shopping centers attract the attention of tourists, shopping in the Philippines will be successful and varied. You can buy exclusive and expensive products, or high-quality and reliable, but affordable copies.

Small shops offer holidaymakers artisan goods that reflect the local flavor or allow you to decorate your home with a souvenir, completely adapted to Europeans, but made in local production.

Inexpensive, but interesting, which is nice to receive a gift, souvenirs - jewelry with corals and natural pearls, silverware, dishes made of coconuts and wood, rattan wicker furniture - all this can also be purchased in various stores in the country.

Take into account: coconut oil is a product that is in particular demand, as it is an excellent natural cosmetics.

Transport

It is important to take into account, especially when choosing a method of travel by a rented car, that traffic in the country is right-hand. There are often difficulties and traffic jams on the roads, especially in large cities.

Jeepney is a Filipino invention, the brainchild of local kulibins

Bus routes also help to get to various points. The Philippines has a national mode of transport - jeepney (a hybrid of a jeep and a small bus). Locals and visitors can only travel by this transport on some islands.

In tourist places, tricycles are actively used - compact motorcycles with a sidecar for 2-4 passengers. Numerous taxis are also available. You can move from the island and to the island by water transport in the form of ships.

Communication

Large Russian telephone operators operate throughout the island state. Messages and calls are made while roaming, as is the use of mobile internet.

Safety

Like any foreign country, you shouldn't trust the first comer, especially if you don't know the language well and are in the country for the first time.

All local fruits and vegetables must be washed before use.

Tourists should not forget that:

• the country lies in the zone of frequent typhoons and tsunamis;
• there are active volcanoes;
• earthquakes happen;
• cases of floods and multi-day rains are recorded;
• street crime is high;
• it is not recommended to be in cities for a long time in a crowd and large gatherings of people;
• all products that do not undergo heat treatment should be thoroughly washed;
• you will also need to be vaccinated against hepatitis before traveling to the country.

Real estate in the Philippines

Anyone has the right to buy real estate on the islands. Here are different kinds houses and apartments that can be rented or purchased.

An important feature - foreign citizen has no rights to the land on which the house he bought is located. It is necessary to draw up a lease agreement (up to 50 years), after the expiration it is possible to extend this period.

Many religious holidays are a rather unusual mixture of Christian norms and local pagan traditions, which gives them a special charm.

A few more interesting facts:

• shops in the country are closed after 20.00, small shops may close if it is very hot outside;
• Independence Day is celebrated on June 12;
• despite the intense heat, you should not wear short shorts or skirts, open clothes, if you intend to visit religious places;
• every hotel has the ability to deposit important or valuable things, as well as documents;
• in restaurants, cafes, hotels, it is customary to leave a tip of 10-15% of the amount of the service;
• it is prohibited to leave things for storage at airports.

Conclusion

The Philippines is a fabulous getaway destination, but it demands a lot of attention.

The nature here is very beautiful, but the climatic conditions can bring unpleasant surprises to vacationers in the form of rains and typhoons. In general, a visit to the country is recommended for those who love hot weather, sea and water activities.

Watch a video in which the user shares his impressions and gives practical advice for rest in Fillipines:

The Republic of the Philippines is a large state located in the Southeast of Asia. It consists of a large number of islands located in the area The Pacific between Taiwan and Indonesia.

There is an opinion that the Philippines is lost among the oceans and seas and even a little fabulous " state of seven thousand islands". By the way, this is not an epithet at all, but a real figure. The Philippines covers 7107 islands, each of which has its own tourist character and exotic atmosphere. Here, huge skyscrapers are adjacent to palm groves.

The only negative, perhaps, is a tiring flight. But there's nothing you can do about it.

Climate and weather

The climate here is monsoon, tropical, in the south, smoothly turning into subequatorial. The temperature on the coast is most often + 24 ... + 28 ° Сand in mountainous areas it is slightly cooler. The rainy season in the Philippines begins in May and lasts until November, while the monsoon blows from the southwest. In the rest of the months, the dry season is pronounced in the west of Palawan, Lusson and the Visayas. The precipitation on the islands is 1000 to 4000 mm.

Nature

Most of the islands are covered in tropical rainforest with palms, rubber plants, banyans, apitongs, Mayapis and Lauans. They often contain bamboo, orchid, and cinnamon. Shrubs and many meadows grow at an altitude of about 1200 meters above sea level.

In the Philippines, you can find deer, mongoose and even wild boar. There are a lot of birds and various reptiles here. In the coastal waters, you can find pearl mussels - mollusks that can form pearls.

sights

The largest city in the Philippines is Manila... The city is on luzon Island... It is not only the capital of the state, but also its main economic and cultural center. The city is part of the conurbation Greater Manila, with a population of 10 million. It also includes Kalookan, Quezon City and Pasay.

In Manila there are:

• National Museum of the Philippines;
• Museum of Anthropology and Natural History of Santo Tomas;
• Metropolitan Museum of Art.

In the historic center called Intramuros, there are fortifications, houses and churches of the XVI-XVII centuries. There is a big one in the city Botanical Garden.

Guides offer tourists excursions not only in Manila, but also to lake Taalwhere aerial safaris and numerous folklore shows are held.

Nutrition

Perhaps the most popular dish in the Philippine Islands is rice. It is often served as a side dish with a main course. You can also taste a variety of seafood here.

Interestingly, you can choose the seafood you like in the store yourself, buy and bring it to any cafe where it will be prepared for you. But for this you will need to order some kind of drink in this cafe.

The most unusual dish in the Philippines is “ baluot". This is a boiled duck egg with a germ inside. First, the eggs are kept in special incubators at the right temperatures, and then the seller drives around the city and sells them.

Fresh juices, various wines, coconut milk, local beer made on the basis of coconut milk are the most popular drinks of the islands.

Accommodation

Basically all hotels in the Philippines bungalow type, you can also stay in guesthouses. There are very few high-rise hotels on the islands. This is due to the fact that the state takes care of the preservation of the natural landscape. Recently, world-famous hotels have appeared on the islands. But the number of stars on them does not always correspond to the level of the service personnel: many of them are very slow.

The standard voltage for the Philippines is 220 V, 60 Hz. Sockets here are found with two (American-style) pins and three. Better to ask for the adapter as soon as you arrive at the hotel.

Entertainment and recreation

The Philippines is known for its picturesque coral reefs and beaches. The best tourist resorts are located in the southern part of the cebu Islands, Boracay, Palawan and Bohol... Tourists are offered not only beach holidays, but also more active ones: diving, cruises, surfing.

There are many national parks on the islands. The largest and most interesting places for tourists will be mount Apo, Mayon, Taal, Kanlaonlocated on islands Mindanaoand Luzon.

Today the islands offer all types of tourism: extreme, beach, ecological, sports and educational. Tourism is negatively affected by political conflicts and the unstable situation in the country.

Purchases

Shopping in the Philippines pleases with the possibility of useful and inexpensive shopping. Manila is considered to be the cheapest city for shopping. Mall of Asia Is the largest shopping center in Southeast Asia. This shopping complex occupies four buildings at once, and trams that transport customers run across its vast territory.

The most popular souvenirs include South Sea pearls, terracotta dishes, mother of pearl, fabric lanterns, shell decorations, various T-shirts, wooden figurines and clothes made from local calico.

Cheap coconut oil is sold everywhere in the Philippines. It, according to the assurances of the sellers, will perfectly protect against sunburn.

Transport

For traveling around the country, it is better to choose domestic flights. Each resort island has its own airport. It is better to book tickets in advance if you plan to fly on holidays, because if you catch your eye too late, then there may not be tickets. You will need to add the fuel surcharge to the ticket price: for international flights - 15 $ , domestic flights - 3-4 $ ... Please be aware that on domestic flights, a maximum of 10 kilograms of luggage is allowed.

The second convenient option for moving around the islands is ferries... The prices for them are much lower than for the plane, but the journey takes much longer.

You can travel around the island by an interesting type of transport - " jeepney". This is a local minibus made from a military jeep. Each jeepney car is unique and tuned according to the owner's preferences.

Buses in the Philippines are also common. Here travel in an air-conditioned bus will cost almost twice as much as in a bus without air conditioning.

Taxis in the Philippines are quite a cheap form of transport. Do not forget to ask the driver to reset the counter before driving. If suddenly the meter works too fast, be sure to pay the taxi driver's attention to this. Near the airport, you will see yellow taxis with electronic scoreboards. They are more expensive to travel than conventional cars.

Communication

Since the Philippines is a country that covers more than seven thousand islands, mobile communications are well developed here and mobile Internet is also quite affordable.
According to statistics, almost every third Filipino has access to the Internet, and every fourth has a Facebook account. However, most of the traffic in the country goes through browsers for mobile devices, but not everyone has computers.

Safety

In the Philippine Islands, you can be trapped by natural hazards. Thus, according to a study by the Brussels Center, the Philippines is the most dangerous country in the world in terms of natural disasters. Earthquakes, typhoons, landslides, volcanic eruptions have already become familiar to local residents.

In addition to natural disasters, various religious and political conflicts occur on the islands, when processions of demonstrators block the streets and transport stops. There are even sea pirates here!

If we take tourism as a whole, the crime rate here is quite low, Filipinos are very friendly with foreigners and behave respectfully.

Business climate

The advantage of the Philippines is its openness to any foreign investor. Citizens' savings often depend on foreign funds.

The Philippines is, first of all, an agro-industrial country. Agricultural productivity is growing, and exports of bananas and pineapples are growing. The textile, electronic, food, chemical, pharmaceutical and woodworking industries are well developed.

Monetary unit of the islands - philippine peso.

The property

The most interesting properties for sale in the Philippines will be houses and villas, which are located on the ocean. Here you can buy an apartment from a developer company, for example, in the capital. It is Manila that is more often interesting for buyers, primarily for those who do business in the country, or work in a sales office, since Manila is the economic, cultural and political center of the country.

Many investors buy real estate in the Philippines to rent it in the future, because the property here brings a good return on rent. Many foreign retirees, primarily from European and Asian countries, buy housing here. After all, life here is inexpensive and calm.

Filipinos are actually very shy and slow, so don't be surprised.

Don't forget to take your Russian-English phrasebook with you. Thanks to the country's colonial past, almost everyone here knows English.

Remember that in the Philippines it is better not to drink tap water and do not brush your teeth with it. Better to use bottled water.

There are a lot of uniformed and plainclothes police on the streets, especially in the capital. Therefore, do not be surprised if an ordinary-looking passer-by comes up to you and asks for your documents. The police treat tourists very carefully and respectfully.

Visa information

Russian citizens do not need a visa to visit the Philippine Islands, provided that the period of stay in this country does not exceed twenty one days. When crossing the Philippine border, you will need to present an international passport (it must be valid for at least six months at the time of entry), as well as proof of the availability of the necessary financial resources for this trip and return tickets.

Recently, you can also get a visa for a period of 59 days of stay. Such a visa will cost $ 50 + 510 Philippine pesos (about $ 12).

Moscow Embassy of the Philippines: 121099, Russia, Karmanitskiy per., Building 6/8.

Phone: (+7 495) 241-0563.

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Republic of the Philippines - a state in Asia. Consists of many islands located in the Pacific Ocean between Indonesia and Taiwan.

The country includes more than 7.1 thousand islands, of which about 1000 are permanently inhabited, and more than 2500 are not only not inhabited, but do not even have a name. The islands are located in three groups - the northern island of Luzon and adjacent islands, the central Visayan group (about 6 thousand islands) and southern Mindanao with the surrounding islands. The Philippines is a predominantly mountainous country.

Philippines airport

Davao Francisco Bangoy International Airport

Diosdado Macapagal International Airport

Zamboanga International Airport

Caticlan Godofredo P. Ramos Airport

Mactan Cebu International Airport

Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Olongapo City Subic Bay International Airport

Puerto Princesa International Airport

1 - 5 star hotels in the Philippines

Philippines weather

Tropical marine and subequatorial, monsoon. The rainy season is from June to September. From June to October - destructive typhoons. The best time to visit the country is from late September to mid-May.

Average air temperature in Manilat ° C

Language of the Philippines

Official language: Filipino

English, Chinese and Spanish are used.

Currency of the Philippines

International name: PHP

The Philippine peso is equal to 100 centavas. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 pesos, coins of 5 and 1 pesos, as well as 25 and 10 centavos.

Banks in Manila and other major cities can usually exchange pounds sterling and euros. Outside the capital, servicing other foreign currencies is rather problematic; only branches of the Central Bank of the Philippines offer an exchange rate close to the official one.

The American dollar is widely accepted in the Philippines and is often more convenient to use than travel checks. Prices are often quoted in both Philippine pesos and dollars.

Banks, shops and hotels in major cities of the country accept credit cards of the major world systems and traveller's checks; in the provinces, their use is unlikely. To avoid additional conversion costs, it is recommended to bring traveller's checks in US dollars.

Customs restrictions

Duty-free can be imported: alcoholic drinks - 2 bottles, cigarettes - 400 pcs, or cigars - 50 pcs, or tobacco - 250 g, food, household items and things - within personal needs. It is prohibited to import firearms, items, imitating them, explosives, ammunition; written or printed materials of an anti-government or inhumane nature; materials, photographs, prints and other images of a pornographic nature; any drugs and their components. The export of antiques, paintings, items made of gold, wood, ivory is prohibited. Allowed export of cigarettes - 200 pieces, or cigars - 50 pieces, or tobacco - 500 g; alcoholic beverages - 0.95 liters.

The import of foreign currency is not limited (the declaration is required if the amount exceeds $ 3000. The export of imported foreign currency is allowed. The export and import of the national currency is prohibited.

Mains voltage

Tip

Tipping in most establishments is 5-10% of the bill (including in a taxi, for hotel and restaurant services), but usually service personnel are added for service in excess of this percentage.

Opening hours of institutions

Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.

Limitations

At some popular resorts (Davao, etc.), a strict ban on smoking in public places has been introduced, for violation of which a large fine is imposed, and if the violator is caught three times, he will be jailed for several days.

Safety

Travelers are advised to avoid visiting most areas of Mindanao Island, the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago, where ethnic and religious conflicts occur almost constantly. The safety of shipping is also not ensured throughout the country - dozens of gangs of sea pirates have found shelter in the countless bays and bays of the archipelago.

Country code: +63

First level geographic domain name: .ph

Medicine

Vaccination against hepatitis A and B is recommended. In case of arrival from areas where yellow fever is spread (within 6 days after departure or transit from those), a vaccination certificate is required (children under 1 year of age are exempt). Prophylaxis against malaria is recommended. The risk of contracting Japanese encephalitis exists between April and January in the western regions of Luzon, Mindoro and Palawan. There are also natural foci of rabies and dengue fever. Penicillin-resistant gonorrhea and syphilis are common in certain areas of Cebu and Manila.

Water used for drinking, brushing teeth, or making ice must have been boiled. Milk is usually not pasteurized and must be heat-treated. Meat and fish should only be eaten thoroughly, preferably hot (freshly cooked). Vegetables must be pre-cooked, and the fruits must be washed and peeled.

Emergency phones

Police and rescue services - 166.