Is The Philippines A Country?
A country refers to a political region that has its own autonomous government. The Philippines is a country that covers a total area of approximately 120,000 square miles in the Pacific Ocean. The country is an archipelago made up of 7,641 islands, the largest and most populous being Luzon Island. The Philippines qualifies as a country because other nations around the world recognize it as such, as well as the fact that it is a member of international organizations such as the United Nations. The United States was among the first countries in the world to formally recognize the Philippines as an independent sovereign nation after delegates from both countries signed the Treaty of Manila in 1946.
Location of the Philippines
The Philippines is located in the Southeastern region of Asia within the Pacific Ocean. Additionally, the Philippines is located in an area referred to as the Pacific Ring of Fire due to the prevalence of volcanic activity in the region. The country's location, as well as the fact that it is situated near the equator, makes the Philippines exceptionally vulnerable to earthquakes. Various nations share maritime borders with the nation, including Taiwan, Vietnam, and Malaysia. The nation is surrounded by several seas, such as the South China Sea, which is situated west of the Philippines, and the Philippine Sea, located along the nation's eastern edge.
The Nation's History
Archaeological evidence indicates that the earliest human habitation of the Philippines occurred approximately 67,000 years ago. Communities in the Philippines thrived after the discovery of iron in the 1st century, which resulted in the emergence of an improved quality of life for some and contributed to social stratification. Trade was a critical activity in the early period, and some of the most crucial trading partners included communities in Java and Malaysia. The Philippines also traded with China, and during the period of the Song dynasty, the volume of trade increased significantly. The Philippines later became a Spanish colony in 1565, and Spanish colonialism in the region lasted for approximately 333 years. The period under Spanish rule was one of the most integral to the nation's history, as it contributed to the modernization of the nation. The Philippines also fell under the control of the United States after the US victory in the Spanish-American War. Japan conquered much of the nation's territory during the Second World War, however, the allied forces drove the Japanese military from the island.
DemographicsÂ
The Philippines has one of the highest populations in the world, ranking twelfth globally in 2018. Despite being the nation's capital, Manila is not the most populous city in the Philippines, as it is surpassed by Quezon City in both population and area.
Famous Filipinos
Some residents of the Philippines have achieved international acclaim in a wide range of fields. Perhaps the most well-known is world famous boxer Manny Pacquiao. Filipinos have also gained fame in the literary world, such as authors Jose Rizal and Nick Joaquin.
