Philippines: Background & Geography
| Introduction | Philippines |
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Background:
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The Philippines were ceded by Spain to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. They attained independence in 1946 after Japanese occupation in World War II. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced him into exile. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. The Philippines has had two electoral presidential transitions since the removal of MARCOS. In January 2001, the Supreme Court declared Joseph ESTRADA unable to rule in view of mass resignations from his government and administered the oath of office to Vice President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO as his constitutional successor. The government continues to struggle with Muslim insurgencies in the south. |
| Geography | Philippines |
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Location:
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Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam |
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Geographic coordinates:
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13 00 N, 122 00 E |
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Map references:
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Southeast Asia |
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Area:
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total: 300,000 sq km
water: 1,830 sq km land: 298,170 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly larger than Arizona |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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36,289 km |
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Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
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territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 NM from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 NM in breadth
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October) |
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Terrain:
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mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m |
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Natural resources:
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timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper |
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Land use:
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arable land: 18.45%
permanent crops: 14.76% other: 66.79% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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15,500 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis |
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Environment - current issues:
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uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants |
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Geography - note:
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favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait |