Welcome to Philippines
Background
Philippines is an archipelago located in Southeast Asia. Its original inhabitants probably came from the Asian continent about 40,000 years ago. Throughout its history, it has been attractive to many foreigners, including Muslim traders and Spanish explorers. Magellan claimed the land for Spain in 1521, but in that same year Chief Lapu Lapu, remembered as a national hero today, put up a strong resistance to the Europeans and killed Magellan. However, Spain ruled Philippines as a colony until 1898, when it was ceded to the U.S. as a result of the Spanish-American War. The U.S. had a strong influence on Philippines and basically controlled the government until 1946, the year that Philippines became an independent country. After decades of corrupt rule, the people led a revolution against Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, and Corazon Aquino became the first female leader of Philippines.
Philippines Today
Philippines is the twelfth most populated country in the world. It has over 85 million people. Phillipines' economy has grown in recent years. In 2005 the Filipino peso was the strongest currency in Asia. Several foreign companies want to do business with Philippines. Many people are doing well economically, but over 30 million others live in poverty. Thousands of Filipinos travel to other countries to work and send money back home. In fact. Filipinos currently work in over 190 different countries. Political corruption and discontent remains a problem, but it is not as widespread as it was in the past. Because Philippines is located in the "ring of fire", it has experienced several natural disasters, including volcanoes, earthquakes, and typhoons.
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