Philippines Facts & Figures

With its strategic location at the heart of the vital sea lanes, the Philippines is a natural gateway to East Asia. To its north lie Taiwan, Japan and the Chines mainland, and directly south lies Indonesia. Across the South China Sea on the west are Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. The eastern coasts look out to the Pacific Ocean, leading to North America’s western seaboard.The Philippines has witnessed waves of migration and trace across the centuries. Its Asian roots and religions, couples with its long history colony, have spawned a unique culture that blends East and West. It first became a free nation in 1898 after a successful revolution against Spain but fell under United States and Japanese rule before regaining independence in 1946. It remains the only predominantly Roman Catholic nation in Asia.

The Philippines is readily accessible from the world’s major cities. By air, Manila is an hour and 50 minutes from Hong Kong; 3 Hours and 50 minutes from Bangkok; 3 Hours and 10 minutes from Singapore; 4 hours and 15 minutes from Tokyo’ 10 hours and 20 minutes from Sydney; 20 hours and 45 minutes from London; 21 hours and 15 minutes from Paris; 19 hours and 40 minutes from Frankfurt; 16 hours and 15 minutes from San Francisco; 15 hours and 20 minutes from Los Angeles; and 25 hours and 20 minutes from New york.