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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Philippines News

Ruling delayed for Filipino...
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:09:08 -0000
A judge reserved ruling Monday on whether a former Philippine National Police officer who served prison time for receiving classified U.S. government documents will be extradited to face murder charges back home.
Attack on election convoy kills 21 in Philippines
Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:34:42 -0000
MANILA, Philippines – Dozens of gunmen hijacked a convoy carrying journalists, and family and supporters of a candidate for provincial governor, killing at least 21 of the travelers Monday in the southern Philippines' worst political violence in years.
21 hostages killed in Philippines' Maguindanao
Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:33:47 -0000
Twenty-one people who were among a group of local politicians and journalists abducted Monday in Maguindanao, southern Philippines have been found dead, Philippinemilitary officials said.
We Did It-Online! Efren Penaflorida Wins CNN Hero of the Year Award
Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:50:10 -0000
A week after boxer Manny Pacquiao's stunning victory over Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas, another Philippine hero Efren Peñaflorida received a top award becoming CNN's Hero of the Year for 2009. And as Pacquiao thanked the Filipino people for his string of boxing victories, Efren will have you to thank for his stunning victory.
Pinoy named CNN 'Hero of the Year' | The Philippine Star >> News >> Headlines
Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:08:43 -0000
MANILA, Philippines - A Filipino has received international recognition for his innovative effort in educating poor children. Efren Peñaflorida, who started the "Kariton Klassroom" to bring education to poor children, has been named CNN Hero of the Year, the cable news network announced yesterday.
UNICEF says more children in school, fewer dying, but a billion struggle
Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:30:47 -0000
The U.N. is celebrating the success of its treaty guaranteeing children's rights, while focusing on more than a billion youngsters that need more help.

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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.