Foreign travellers are strongly advised not to visit central Mindanao, parts of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago. For further information, consult a government travel advice department.

The Philippines lie off the southeast coast of Asia between Taiwan and Borneo in the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea. They are composed of 7107 islands and islets (7108 at low tide). The warm waters offer the attractions of sunbathing, swimming and diving through a dramatic display of coral gardens and spectacular marine life. Luzon is the largest and most northerly of the main islands. The spectacular landscape is made up of the mountainous north, the flat vistas of the central plain and lakes and volcanoes in the southern pensinsula. Manila, capital and hub of the nation, has been a port for hundreds of years. Places of interest include San Agustin Church and Manila Cathedral, which offers an excellent view of the harbour. Hundred Islands, lying off the coast of Pangasinan, are made up of 100 islets surrounded by coral gardens and white sand beaches. This area is ideal for swimming and fishing. Mindanao, the most southerly island, has a very different feel from the rest of the country. In the southwestern tip is Zamboanga City, considered by some as the most romantic place in the Philippines and a favourite resort amongst tourists. The city is noted for its seashells, unspoiled tropical scenery and magnificent flowers. Local dishes include kare-kare (an oxtail stew in peanut sauce served with bagoong) and sinigang (meat or fish in a pleasantly sour broth). On most evenings there are cultural performances by local artists in the many performing arts venues. Many of the top hotels offer lavish music spectacles ranging from string quartets to show bands.

South-East Asia.

GMT + 8.

300,000 sq km (115,831 sq miles).

82.8 million (UN, 2005).

274.3 per sq km.

Manila. Population: 9.9 million (2005 metropolitan area).

The Philippines lie off the southeast coast of Asia between Taiwan and Borneo in the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea. They are composed of 7107 islands and islets (7108 at low tide), 2773 of which are named. The two largest islands, Luzon in the north and Mindanao in the south, account for 65 per cent of the total land area and contain 60 per cent of the country’s population. Between the two lie the Visayas Islands.

Republic since 1935. Gained independence from the USA in 1946. Head of State and Government: President Maria Gloria Macapagal Arroyo since 2001. Recent history: The constitution adopted in 1987 provides for a dual-chamber congress comprising a 24-member Senate and a House of Representatives with a maximum 250 members, of whom 200 are directly elected. The President, who holds executive power, is elected for a six year term. Gloria Arroyo was elevated from Vice President to President in 2001 after protests led to the ousting of her predecessor, Joseph Estrada. In 2003, she survived an attempt by military mutineers to unseat her. Mrs Arroyo won a second six-year term in June 2004, defeating her main rival, the film star Fernando Poe Junior. Her first term brought mixed success. Her opponents claimed that she had cheated in the 2004 elections and levelled corruption allegations against her husband and other family members. Mrs Arroyo faces the challenge of delivering on her promises to create jobs and to improve living standards. Social and economic reforms introduced during her first term did little to ease poverty and the country's debt burden.

Filipino, based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is widely spoken, Spanish less so. There are over 111 cultural and racial groups, each with its own language or dialect; in 1990 there were 988 recorded languages.

Roman Catholic 83 per cent; the rest are made up mostly of Muslims, other Christian denominations, Buddhists and Taoists.

220 volts (110 volts in Baguio) AC, 60Hz. 110 volts is available in most hotels. Flat and round two- and three-pin plugs are in use.

Government officials are addressed by their titles such as Senator, Congressman or Director. Otherwise, usual modes of address and levels of politeness are expected. Casual dress is acceptable in most places, but in Muslim areas the visitor should cover up. Filipino men may wear an embroidered long-sleeved shirt or a plain white barong tagalog with black trousers for formal occasions, women wear cocktail dresses or long gowns. The Philippines are, in many respects, more westernised than any other Asian country, but there is a rich underlay of Malay culture