Maps of Islands of the Philippines

The Philippines is a sovereign archipelagic country located in Southeast Asia. The country consists of more than 7,640 islands with a total area of approximately 300,000 square kilometers. The Philippines is situated in the western Pacific Ocean, bounded by the South China Sea to the west, the Philippine Sea to the east, and the Celebes Sea to the south.

The archipelago was named after King Philip II of Spain during the Spanish colonization period in the 16th century. The capital city is Manila, while the most populous city is Quezon City. The Philippines has a population of over 110 million people, making it the 13th most populous country in the world.

The country's location on the Pacific Ring of Fire and its tropical climate make it prone to earthquakes and typhoons but also provide abundant natural resources and biodiversity. The Philippines is considered one of the world's megadiverse countries, with exceptional biodiversity in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

The official languages are Filipino and English. The Philippines is known for its rich history, which includes various cultural influences from Malay, Spanish, American, and Chinese sources, creating a unique cultural identity.