PHILIPPINES

The Philippines is a sovereign island country in Southeast Asia situated in the western Pacific Ocean and Manila is its capital city. It consists of 7,109 islands that are categorized broadly under three main geographical divisions : Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The Philippines is famous for its emerald rice fields, teeming mega-cities with trafic jam and beautiful beaches.

The first Spanish settlement in the archipelago was established in 1535 and the archipelago became part of the Spanish Empire for more than 300 years. After few revolutions and a japanese occupation, the United States retained sovereignty over the islands until after World War II, when the Philippines was recognized as an independent nation.