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.

timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper

arable land: 18.45%
permanent crops: 14.76%
other: 66.79% (1998 est.)

84,619,974 (July 2003 est.)

Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3%

Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%

two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocan, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 95.9%
male: 96%
female: 95.8% (2003 est.)

Manila

republic

12 June 1898 (from Spain)

Independence Day (from Spain), 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 is the date of independence from Spain, 4 July 1946 is the date of independence from the US