|
The
Philippines is the world's 12th most populous country
with a population of about 90 million people. Its national
economy is the 46th largest in the world with an estimated
2008 gross domestic product (GDP) of over US$154.073
billion. There are more than 11 million overseas Filipinos
worldwide, about 11% of the total population of the
Philippines. It comprises 7,107 islands in the western
Pacific Ocean. A former colony of Spain, and the United
States, the Philippines is one of two predominantly
Roman Catholic countries in Asia-Pacific, the other
being East Timor. Multiple ethnicities and cultures
are found throughout the islands; there are also followers
of Islam and other religions.
The
arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 marked the beginning
of an era of Spanish interest and eventual dominance.
Manila emerged as the Asian hub of the Manila–Acapulco
galleon fleet. Missionary work led to widespread Christianity.
As the 19th century gave way to the 20th, there followed
in quick succession the short-lived Philippine Revolution,
the Spanish-American War, and the Philippine-American
War. In the aftermath, the United States replaced Spain
as the dominant power. Aside from the period of Japanese
occupation, the United States retained sovereignty over
the islands until the end of World War II when the Philippines
gained independence. The United States bequeathed to
the Philippines the English language and a stronger
affinity for Western culture. Since independence the
Philippines has had an often tumultuous experience with
democracy, with popular "People Power" movements
overthrowing a dictatorship in one instance but also
underlining the institutional weaknesses of its constitutional
republic in others.
|
