Philippines
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Capital
Manila
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Local time
14:49
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Population
105.9 m
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Driving side
Right
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Calling code
+63
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Currency
₱ PHP (peso)
Philippines
-
Capital
Manila
-
Local time
14:49
-
Population
105.9 m
-
Driving side
Right
-
Calling code
+63
-
Currency
₱ PHP (peso)
-
Average Salary
$ 330
-
Petrol price
€ 1.05 pl
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Precipitation
2 348mm /year
Geography & travel
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Country Area
343 448 km2
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Protected Area
11%
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Forest Area
27%
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Agricultural area
41%
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Railways
479km
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Annual air passengers
40.05 m
Population
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Ethnicity
Tagalog - 28 %
Cebuano - 13 %
Ilocano - 9 %
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Religion
Roman Catholic - 81 %
Evangelical - 3 %
Iglesia ni Kristo - 2 %
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Literacy rates
96.4%
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Languages
Filipino (dialects) and English
Cebuano
Ilocano
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Armed Forces
165 500
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Alcohol consumption
5.6 l/person
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Smoking
43%
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Diabetes
6.9%
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Malaria
0%
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Tuberculosis
322 per 100k
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HIV
0.1%
Economy
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Industries
electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing
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Agriculture
sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassavas, pineapples, mangoes, pork
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Natural Resources
timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper
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Energy Import
45%
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Natural Resources
timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper
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Renewable Energy
28%
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CO2 Emissions
105 654kt
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Ease of Business
113 (Best=1, Worst=200)
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ATMs per 100k people
25
What not to do when visiting Philippines
Philippines Don't make too strong handshakes in the Philippines. Be gentle, strong handshakes can be seen as unfriendly or even aggressive.
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Philippines Don't stand with hands on hips as it denotes anger (if not meant).
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Philippines Don't forget to wear closed-toe shoes off the beach - many shops and businesses won't allow you to enter with sandals or only a men's undershirt (called "Sando" here).
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Did you know?
The yo-yo was originally used as a weapon for hunting in the Philippines.
South-Eastern Asia Don't lose the temper and cause "loss of face". The concept of "saving face" is extremely important in East Asian social relationships.
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Philippines Don’t wear expensive clothes or jewellery in public - keep a low profile to avoid the unwanted attention of pickpockets.
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South-Eastern Asia Don't provide your passport as collateral when hiring vehicles - better use cash as deposit.
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Philippines Don’t be a victim of mosquito-borne diseases - protect yourself against bites by mosquitoes.
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Philippines Don’t necessarily arrive on time or earlier when invited to a Filipino’s house - it’s better to come 15 to 30 minutes later for a large party.
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Philippines Don’t refer to your host’s wife as the hostess - this has a different meaning in the Philippines.
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Philippines Don’t start eating until the host invites you to do so.
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Philippines Don't forget to have some cash in hand when entering the Philippines via airport - the fees can usually be paid only in cash.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
Philippines Don't accept seconds (food) at first time it's offered. Leave food on your plate if you don't want more.
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South-Eastern Asia Don't be too affectionate in public - kissing, cuddling and similar behaviour are frowned upon if in public, especially amongst older locals.
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Philippines Don't forget to do some haggling at ukay-ukays, tiangges and bazaars.
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South-Eastern Asia Don't pull the motorbike in the middle of the road when trying to turn right as you might be hit from behind or from the front by others. Most of the traffic accidents are caused by this as it's common vehicles are overtaking within each of the sides in parallel and stopping in the middle can cause you big troubles.
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South-Eastern Asia Don't point at people or things with your feet - it's considered very rude as the feet are considered as the most inferior parts of the human body.
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South-Eastern Asia Don't show disrespect to Buddha or its images - large or small, ruined or not, it's regarded as a sacred object.
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Philippines Don't be surprised Filipinos are super friendly - they were even voted as the friendliest Asian country.
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Philippines Don’t forget the rainy season takes place between November and April in the northeast and between May and October in the southwest.
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South-Eastern Asia Don't try to outrun the rainstorm on your moped.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
South-Eastern Asia Don't touch a monk. Treat monks with the highest respect. Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman, or to accept anything from the hand of woman.
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