Philippines’ Geographical Setting

Kenneth Rae A. Quirimo

Philippines is the first independent Republic to emerge in the year 1946 in South East Asia after

the World War II. An Archipelago of 7,100 (at present is 7,107 island) island, South of Taiwan and North

of Indonesia. It is a floating like a broken Rosary of Emeralds on the heaving bosom of Pacific.

Philippines, where romantic writers called her as “Pearl of Orient” because of her fascinating

landscapes, considered as one of the most beautiful and rich land. In addition, she is endowed with many

rich natural resources including her chief agricultural crop such as rice, corn, hemp, tobacco and

sugarcane. Among other countries, it is ranked first in coconut and hemp production, second in sugarcane,

and fifth in tobacco. She is the greatest gold-producing country in South East Asia and ranked third

among the world’s greatest Chromite producing countries. Moreover, the world’s largest deposit of nickel

which was discovered at Norroc Isle, off the coast of Surigao Mindanao.

According to Dr. Dean C. Worcester, American Scientist who lived in the Philippines for so

many years said that Philippines has one of the most healthful tropical climate in the world. In addition to

that, its climate is healthful even to the white men.

Spanish Navigator, Villalobos, gave the name Filipinas (Philippines) to the archipelago in 1543.

It was named after King Philip II of Austria to honor his succession as King of Spain.

Because of the Philippines’ wonderful nature found here, travelers around the globe have come to

witness the hidden beauty and were fascinated of her spots. The world-famed Mount Mayon which is

having the only perfect cone volcano. The Taal Volcano considered as smallest volcano known to man.

Among the beautiful tourist attractions, the incomparable rice terraces known as one of Asia’s Wonders,

located at the Cordillera Region, a mountainous area. These terraces were carved along the mountain

slopes by its folks. One of its unique characteristics is that, it looks like a gigantic stairways soaring to the
clouds. If placed end to end, they would extend eight times logner than China’s Great Wall, or about half

the earths’ circumference.

Other natural wonders are the Pagsanjan Falls and Los Banos Hot Springs of Laguna, Hundred

Islands of Pangasinan, the Salinas Salt Springs of Nueva Viscaya, Crystal Caves of Baguio and the

Underground River of Palawan.

The world’s smallest fish (Pandaca Pygmea), smallest deer (Mouse deer), smallest water Buffalo

(Tamaraw), rarest shell (Gloriamaris), and the beautiful orchid (walin-waling) which are found in the

Philippines.

With the Archipelago’s total land area of 115, 707 square miles, inhabited by multi-races or

virtually a race of races, they are a product of the mixture of many people such as Negritos (Aborigines),

Indonesians, Malays, Chinese, Indians, Arabs, Japanese, Europeans and Americans.

More than 20,000,000 Filipinos, although divided in several ethnic groups such as the Tagalogs,

Bikolanos, Ilokanos, Bisayans, Zambals, and more are united as one Nation, one flag, culture. With the

influence of Western and Eastern heritage, Filipinos have assimilated both characteristics. Patriotic,

courageous, friendly, artistic, and romantic. Filipinos has the resiliency of the bamboos and durability of

the narra, their national tree. When wars and calamities come, they bend but do not break.

Reference: Book of World History Chapter 14, The Philippines, First Malayan Republic