Philippines

The Philippines, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. It consists of 7,641 islands located between the South China Sea and Philippine Sea in western Pacific Ocean. With a population estimated at 109 million people (as of 2019), it is the 12th most populated nation in world and third largest English-speaking country after United States and India. The capital city Manila is one of 17 cities with populations over 1 million inhabitants; other major cities include Cebu City, Davao City and Quezon City. The official language used by Filipinos is Filipino based on Tagalog but there are also eight regional languages spoken throughout the archipelago such as Bicolano, Ilocano, Pangasinan or Waray-Waray. Spanish was formerly widely spoken during its 300 year colonial rule by Spain under whom Catholicism became predominant religion followed today by 80% of population while Islam being second biggest faith practiced mainly in Mindanao region comprising about 5% nationwide .

Located along Ring Of Fire prone to earthquakes & volcanic eruptions ,Philippines has diverse geography including active volcanoes like Mount Mayon considered as symbol for beauty among locals due to near perfect cone shape . Country’s highest mountain peak Mount Apo stands at 9686 feet above sea level located within boundaries shared between three provinces -Davao del Sur , North Cotabato & Sultan Kudarat . Rainforest covers much part towards east containing some species not found elsewhere plus many endangered animals endemic only to island like Tamaraw – small buffalo found exclusively on Mindoro Island having been pushed almost extinct due to hunting until recent conservation efforts have helped revive their number back up again

Economically heavily reliant upon agricultural exports especially coconut products grown mostly from large plantations operating across countryside earning billions every year ; also popular tourist destination with beaches , resorts scattered around various parts drawing millions celebrating holidays each season leading foreign exchange inflow worth billions annually contributing significantly towards GDP growth rate which reached 6 percent last year making it among fastest growing economies globally despite lack proper infrastructure development still occurring all around nation itself

Political system follows presidential form government headed current President Rodrigo Duterte who took office 2016 providing new impetus modernization reforms emphasizing public safety initiatives coupled increased focus toward improving relations neighboring countries through ASEAN Economic Community agreement allowing free movement goods services labor resources thus fostering further integration global economy strengthening bilateral ties whole region wide