Filipinas

Filipinas refers to the Philippines, an archipelagic nation in Southeast Asia. The country consists of about 7,641 islands and is typically grouped into three main geographic and cultural regions: Luzon in the north, Visayas in the central zone, and Mindanao in the south. It is bounded by the South China Sea to the west, the Philippine Sea to the east, and lies in the western Pacific Ocean. The capital is Manila, with the wider metropolitan area serving as the political and economic center.

Demographically, the Philippines is one of the most populous countries in the region, with a diverse society shaped by centuries of migration and exchange. The official languages are Filipino (a standardized form of Tagalog) and English, while hundreds of regional languages are also spoken, including Cebuano, Ilocano, and Hiligaynon. The population is predominantly Roman Catholic, alongside various Protestant communities and Islam, among others. The country’s cultural landscape reflects a blend of indigenous traditions with influences from Spanish and American periods of rule.

Etymology and demonym: the name Filipinas derives from King Philip II of Spain, and the country was historically known as Las Islas Filipinas during the colonial era. In English, the nation is called the Philippines; residents are called Filipinos (male or mixed gender) and Filipinas for women.

Government and history: pre-colonial polities existed before Spanish contact in the 16th century, followed by several centuries of Spanish rule. The Philippines became a U.S. territory after 1898 and gained full independence on July 4, 1946, after a period of Japanese occupation during World War II. It is a constitutional republic with a presidential system, a bicameral Congress, and an independent judiciary. The country is a member of regional organizations such as ASEAN and faces ongoing development and vulnerability to natural hazards like typhoons and earthquakes.