The Philippines has a population of over 76 million as of 2000 and is estimated to grow to over 128 million by 2050, making it the 12th most populated country. It has over 3,500 plant and animal species due to its tropical rainforest climate. The earliest inhabitants arrived over 13,000 years ago, and successive waves of immigrants introduced new technologies and religions like Islam.

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2. The Aeta came 13000 - 10000 years ago from the Asian continent. In earlier times they lived widespread throughout the Philippines. Today they are living in the remote highland areas of Luzon, Palawan, Panay, Negros and Mindanao. About 2300 years ago Malayan people arrived from the mainland in the Philippines and brought a more advanced culture; dairy, iron melting and production of iron tools, pottery techniques and the system of sawah's (rice fields). In the tenth century Muslim traders come from Kalimantan (Indonesia) to the Philippines. A few centuries later, the Islam spread out in the southern part of the Philippines. Until now, the Islam is strong rooted on Mindanao and the other (smaller) islands of the southern part of the Philippines.

3. In 2000 the ranking of the Philippines as a country was number 14 on the list of the countries with a population of 50 million inhabitants or more. The total population in the Philippines in that year was already more than 76 million. It is estimated that the population of the Philippines will grow to more than 128 million in 2050. At that time the ranking of the Philippines will be even higher on the list of countries with a large population. Number 12!

4. Forests in the tropics have a rich biodiversity. More than half of all the plants and animals in the world are to be found in the rainforests. More than 3500 species of plants and animals! The constantly high temperatures and the continuously high humidity in the tropics make this biodiversity possible. The temperature is in most tropical rainforests between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius.

5. Geothermal energy on Leyte The Philippines has several possibilities to get clean and cheap energy. The tropical climate and the geological circumstances are responsible for three different energy resources: solar energy, cheap and inexhaustible natural gas (enormous mass found on Palawan) relative cheap "geothermal" energy Leyte is one of the Philippine islands where geothermal energy is produced.

6. Barong Tagalog In the Philippines a modern, westernized style of dressing is common everywhere. In the urban areas as well as in the rural areas. For a long time already. Happily, it doesn't mean that it is impossible to see typical Filipino dress. At ceremonies, festivals and all other kind of important meetings, you will be able to see some men wearing the Barong Tagalog.

7. Hundreds of species! The Philippines is a tropical country with a 'Tropical rainforest climate'. The high temperatures and the continuously high humidity the whole year through, make that there are more than 3500 species of plants and animals!

8. 18 Active volcanoes The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7100 islands. Most of these islands are of volcanic origin. There are 37 volcanoes in the Philippines, of which 18 are still active volcanoes. It means that an eruption occurred in the last decennia and that a new eruption can be expected in the future. All the other volcanoes are 'sleeping' or 'dead' volcanoes.Scientists think that an eruption of these volcanoes is unlikely. The most known volcanoes in the Philippines are Mount Pinatubo, Mount Mayon and the Taal volcano. They are all located on the Northern island Luzon.

9. Sun, beach and sea or adventure, natural and cultural landscapes? The Philippines consists of 7107 islands. Most of the islands are very small. Many of these small islands as well as the bigger islands, have a lot to offer to tourists. There are many possibilities for typical "sun, sea and beach holidays" and for specific adventure holidays. You can even meet the whale sharks and swim close to them. For tourists who want to discover geographically interesting landscapes or who want to meet mountain tribes, the Philippines has it all!

10. Colourful festivals and processions Influence of the Catholic religion Typical for the Philippines are the many festivals and processions. The explanation for the most of all these fiestas has to be found in the domination of one specific religion in the Philippines. The majority of the cultural celebrations is closely related to the Catholic religion. Nearly 90% of the Filipinos are Roman Catholic. If you like fiestas, it is really worth to visit the Philippines, especially in January, April, May and June. The most known and biggest fiestas take place in these months. The most known fiestas For the Filipinos themselves, every year the festivals and processions are days of great joy and happiness. Fiestas or any community celebration usually feature music, dancing, and food feasts. The most known are the procession of the Black Nazarene, the Ati-Atihan, the Sinulog, the Flores de Mayo and the Santa Cruzan. The colourful dress is most of the time not traditional. To see really traditional clothes, you have to visit the remote areas on Luzon and Mindanao for example.

11. It is thought that the earliest inhabitants of the Philippines lived some 40000 years ago. On Palawan, the long and small island in de western Visayas, human bones were found dating to about 22.000 years ago. Stone tools from ancient times were found too on Palawan. The age of the tools is estimated to be about 30.000 years old. A analyses showed that the tools have similar features as tools which were found on Kalimantan (Indonesia).