business-in-philippine.com for business in Philippines

Key Information

Area: 300,400 sq.km. | Population: 79 million |
National languages: Filipino (Tagalog), English |
GDP growth 2000: 3.6% |

The Philippines is a large archipelago located in Southeast Asia between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea. In area, the Philippines is slightly larger than Arizona. Population is 82,841,518 (July 2001 est.) The Philippines is predominantly Roman Catholic. Catholics represent over 83% of the population with Protestants and Muslims being the two primary secondary religions. The Philippines has a high population growth rate. The population is young by comparison with more developed economies.
The official name of the country is the Republic of the Philippines. Chief of State is President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 200) who also is the head of government. The Philippines has a bicameral Congress with a Senate and a House of Representatives. Manila is the capital. Other major cities include Quezon, Cebu, Zamboanga and Davao.

Currency is the Philippine Peso. Approximate exchange rate is US$1 = 50 pesos.

GDP based on purchasing power parity is$310 billion (2000 est.) . Per Capita GDP based on purchasing power parity is 3.6% (2000 est.)

Natural resources include timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt and copper. Industries include textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, electronics and fishing. Agricultural products include rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, pork, beef and fish.

Major exports are electronics, machinery, transport equipment and garments. Major imports include raw materials, capital goods and manufactured items, consumer goods and fuels.

FOR MORE GENERAL INFORMATION ON THIS COUNTRY, CHECK THE FOLLOWING LINKS:
LONELY PLANET GUIDE
http://lonelyplanet.com/dest/sea/phil.htm
WORLD FACT BOOK
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rp.html

Telephone, Exchange Rate, Public Holidays, Time, Weather and Map

Telephone

Country Code is: 63
Area code for Manila is: 2

Exchange Rate

Current exchange rate: http://www.xe.net/ucc/full.shtml
Currency Converters-http://www.oanda.com

Public Holidays, Time

Public Holiday calendar: http://www.holidayfestival.com/Philippines.html
Time of day: http://times.clari.net.au/location.php3/Asia/Manila

Weather and Map

Current and weekly Weather: http://cnn.com/WEATHER/html/ManilaPhilippines.htm
Country Map:
From National Geographic Website: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/maps/atlas/asia/philip.htm l From CNN Website: http://www.cnn.com

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