The Philippines (Filipino: Pilipinas), officially the Republic of the Philippines (Filipino: Republika ng Pilipinas), is an island nation located in the Malay archipelago in Southeast Asia, with Manila as its capital. It lies 1,210 kilometers (750 mi) from mainland Asia and comprises 7,107 islands called the Philippine Archipelago, approximately 700 of which are inhabited.

The Philippines is a significant source of migrant workers; there are over 8 million overseas Filipinos and their remittances exceed $12 billion a year, an amount that forms a significant portion of the Philippines' gross national product. The Philippines is also an important destination for outsourcing and is an exporter of electronics, but its economy is largely agricultural. Manila, its densely populated capital, has been designated as a global city.

The country's name originated with Ruy López de Villalobos naming the islands of Samar and Leyte "Las Islas Filipinas," after King Philip II of Spain during his failed expedition in 1543. The archipelago was known under various names such as Spanish East Indies, New Castille (Nueva Castilla) and the St. Lazarus Islands (Islas de San Lázaro). Ultimately, the name Filipinas came to refer to the entire archipelago.

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US State Dept Backgrounds Notes: Philippines
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:01:28 -0000
Friday, 6 November 2009, 9:34 am Press Release: US Department of State - Background Notes October 2009 Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs PROFILE OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of the Philippines Geography Area: 300,000 sq.
Philippines targets $2.5 billion geothermal development
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:47:41 -0000
The Philippine government aims to approve contracts to explore and develop the country's massive geothermal energy resources, which could attract more than $2.5 billion in private investment, an official said.
Typhoon slams into northern Philippines, 4 dead
Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:23:12 -0000
A powerful typhoon slammed into the northeastern Philippines on Saturday, killing four people, tearing roofs off houses and uprooting trees, but damage and flooding was much less than expected.
Cyclone Heads to Vietnam After Killing 14 People in Philippines
Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:53:35 -0000
Tropical Storm Marinae is heading toward central Vietnam after lashing the central Philippines, where authorities say it killed at least 14 people.
Gunmen fire on bus in south Philippines, killing 2
Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:19:40 -0000
Gunmen opened fire on a commuter bus in the restive southern Philippines, killing two and wounding eight passengers, authorities said on Thursday.
Bloody end for Alvin Flores Gang
Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:53:10 -0000
AGENTS of the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police on Thursday night ended the checkered career of notorious robber Alvin Flores and three of his men in a gunbattle in Cebu. The end for the heavily-armed suspects known for posing as cops came at 8 p.m. Thursday when operatives of the NBI led by Ruel Lasala and the Directorate for Intelligence under Director Eugene Martin raided the their hideout at the Tripina Ceneca Compound in Barangay Staca, Compostela, Cebu.

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Helicopter Ride Over Manila, Philippines Taking off from the top of a skyscraper in the middle of Manila and flying towards Tagaytay.