The Philippines is one of the world’s largest archipelago nations.

It is situated in Southeast
Asia in the Western Pacific Ocean. Its islands are classified into three main geographical
areas – Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Because of its archipelagic nature, Philippines is a
culturally diverse country. With its topography consisting of mountainous terrains, dense
forests, plains, and coastal areas, the Philippines is rich in biodiversity. It is considered as
one of the mega biodiversity countries in the world with a high percentage of flora and fauna
endemism. 

                                                                                                                                    

Despite having widespread poverty, the Philippines has fared relatively well in Human
Development Index (HDI), particularly in comparison to other Southeast Asian nations. In
2012, Philippines’ economy outpaced the growth of its neighboring countries with 6.6
percent growth rate.   

History
The Philippines has a rich history combining Asian, European, and American influences.
Prior to Spanish colonization in 1521, the Filipinos had a rich culture and were trading with
the Chinese and the Japanese. In 1898, after 350 years and 300 rebellions, the Filipinos,
with leaders like Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo, succeeded in winning their independence.

In 1898, the Philippines became the first and only colony of the United States. Following the
Philippine-American War, the United States brought widespread education to the islands.
Filipinos fought alongside Americans during World War II, particularly at the famous battle of
Bataan and Corregidor which delayed Japanese advancement and saved Australia. They
then waged a guerilla war against the Japanese from 1941 to 1945. The Philippines
regained its independence in 1946.

Filipinos are a freedom-loving people, having waged two peaceful, bloodless revolutions
against what were perceived as corrupt regimes. The Philippines is a vibrant democracy, as
evidenced by 12 English national newspapers, 7 national television stations, hundreds of
cable TV stations, and 2,000 radio stations.  (from Department of Tourism website)

Challenges
There are wide disparities in income and quality of life across regions and sectors in
Philippines. The number of poor people remained high (26.5 percent of the total population
lives below the poverty line, including 10 million women). While the country is abundant in
natural resources, environmental assets remain unavailable to poor groups owing to
exclusion, insecure land tenure, lack of access to technologies; or the resources are
degraded. Social inequities are rife and impact indigenous people, fisher folk, women and
the informal sector the most. Indigenous people make up about 15 percent of the population
and occupy an estimated 17 percent of total land area. The struggle to secure land or
ancestral domains is a leading cause of instability in areas of indigenous people. In the 2013
Human Development Report, the Philippines scored 0.418 in the Gender Inequality Index,
reflecting inequalities in labor market participation, political representation, and access to
health services.
 

Its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire makes Philippines extremely vulnerable to natural
disasters, especially earthquakes, cyclones, and volcanic hazards. Long-lasting armed
conflict in Mindanao and other parts of the country and the negative impact of increasing
effects of climate change hinder sustainable development and intensify poverty.