Philippines

Republic Philippines - a large inland state in South East Asia. Occupies more 7  thousand islands from which 9/10 are empty. Two the largest occupied islands - Luzon and Mindanao. A country Total area - 300  thousand sq. km. The population - 64,9  million persons; 80 % are compounded by Filipinos (tagaly, visajja, iloki, etc.). The majority of believers - roman catholics. capital - Manila.

Philippines occupy a favourable geographical position in the western part of Pacific ocean: here there pass shipping lanes from Japan and China in India , Indonesia and other countries of South East Asia. Between numerous islands of archipelago are had 5 intrinsic small and shoal seas. Numerous rocks and reefs hardly hinder intrinsic navigation.

Philippines - the country mainly mountain. In the western part of archipelago where the coast has assemblage of the occluded gulfs, there are narrow neritic plains (width 10 - 15  km), here are had the largest seaports of the country.

The Vegetation on archipelago differs oof and a diversity. The woods covering more of 40 % of terrain and known under name Philippine mahogan, are in great demand in the world market for strength, hardness and beauty of wood. Neritic valleys, intermountain dints and mountain plateaus are most convenient for economic development. Here cultivate rice, corn, a coconut palm, a sugarcane, tobacco, tropical fruit, vegetables, coffee and cocoa.

Capital of Philippines Manila (on island Luzon) - the largest city of the country (7,8  million inhabitants), the major political, economic, cultural and a centre of science

Among other cities of the country it is most known Zamboanga (on island Mindanao), based by Spaniards in 1635. In its architecture Muslim elements of crop are tracked both Spanish, and.