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FACTS |
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DATAS:
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| Official Name: |
Republic of The Philippines |
| Capital City: |
Manila |
| Continent: |
Asia |
| Government: |
Republic |
| President: |
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
| National flag: |
 |
| International Country Sign: |
RP |
| Area: |
ca. 300.000 km² (Position 71 in the world) |
| Geographical location: |
117º O - 127º O / 5º N - 21º N
East of Vietnam between Taiwan and Indonesia. |
| Regions: |
The 7.107 islands are divided in four regions: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao und Palawan |
| Population: |
ca.
90 Millions |
| Population Density: |
ca. 240 pro km² |
| Population Growth: |
2,5 % |
| Life Expectancy: |
Women 67 years, Men 64 years |
| Language: |
Filipino and English, plus numerous widely spoken indigenous languages, some Spanish |
| Illiterates: |
ca. 10,0 % |
| Religion: |
82% Roman Catholic, 9% Protestant, 5% Muslim, 3% Buddhist |
| Time Zone: |
GMT + 8 hours |
| National Currency: |
Philippine Peso |
| International Airports: |
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila (MNL)
Mactan International Airport in Cebu
Davao International Airport |
| Electricity: |
220 V, 60 Hz. (adapter necessary) |
| National Holiday: |
12. Juni (Independence day from Spain in 1898) |
| Biggest Islands: |
Luzon, Mindanao, Palawan, Panay, Mindoro, Samar und Negros |
| Highest Peak: |
Mount Apo (2.954 m) |
| Longest River: |
Cagayan River (354 km) |
| GDP per head: |
ca.
2.000 US$ |
| National area number: |
+63 |
| Traffic laws: |
International driving license is accepted |
| Educational System: |
4 years elementary school are mandatory |
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| INTRODUCTION: |
| The Philippines consists of 7107 islands in the western Pacific Ocean, only 2000 of which are inhabited. Luzon and Mindanao are the largest, and take around 66 % of the country's area. Only about 1000 islands are larger than one sq km and 2500 aren't even named. The Philippines' nearest neighbours are Taiwan (north), Eastern Malaysia and Brunei (south-west), and Indonesia (south).
There are 37 volcanoes in the archipelago and the highest peak is Mt Apo (2954m) in Mindanao.
There are more than a 1000 species of birds and animals, notably wild dwarf buffalo, tarsier, mouse deer, crocodiles and pythons. There are over 10,000 species of tree, shrub and fern, the most common of which are palms and bamboos.
The Philippines are hot and humid year-round. The weather pattern across the archipelago is complex, but can be roughly divided into the dry season (January to June) and the wet season (July to December). The average annual temperature is 25°C. The best time to visit is between December and May.
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| VISAS: |
| For most foreign visitors visas are not needed for stays of less than 21 days. Three-month visas can be obtained in advance and cost around US$35. Multiple-entry visas (lasting six and 12 months) are also available but are expensive and only allow for stays of 59 days at a time. Visa extensions are possible and generally faster to obtain in regional areas.
Important:
If you overstay (even for just a day) you have to expect an expensive penalty, nowadays P 2.000 (US$ 40) per day.
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IMPORTANT ADDRESSES: |
Department of Tourism
National Capital Region
Rm. 207, DOT Building
T. M. Kalaw St., Ermita
Metro Manila, 1000
Telefon: 0063 (02) 5242345
Telefax: 0063 (02) 5211088 |
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Australian Embassy Manila
Salustiana Doña Ty Tower
104 Paseo de Roxas
Makati
METRO MANILA
Tel. (02) 7502850
Canadian Embassy Manila
Allied Bank Building
6754 Ayala Avenue
Makati
METRO MANILA
Tel. (02) 8670001
Netherlands Embassy Manila
King's Court Building
Chino Roces Avenue
Makati
METRO MANILA
Tel. (02) 8215981
Swedish Embassy Manila
Equitable PCI Bank Tower II
Makati Avenue
Makati
METRO MANILA
Tel. (02) 8191951, Fax: (02) 8153002
USA Embassy Manila
1201 Roxas Boulevard
Ermita
METRO MANILA
Tel. (02) 5321001, Fax: (02) 5224361
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Belgium Embassy Manila
Multinational Bancorporation Center
Ayala Avenue
Makati
METRO MANILA
Tel. (02) 8451869
French Embassy Manila
Pacific Star Building
Gil Puyat Avenue
Makati
METRO MANILA
Tel. (02) 8101981
Spanish Embassy Manila
A.C.T. Tower
135 Gil Puyat Avenue
Makati
METRO MANILA
Tel. (02) 8183561, Fax: (02) 8102885
UK Embassy Manila
LV Locsin Building
6752 Ayala Avenue
Makati
METRO MANILA
Tel. (02) 8167116, Fax: (02) 8197206
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TO CONTACT US: |
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GENESIS DIVERS
ALONA BEACH, PANGLAO ISLAND,
6340 BOHOL, PHILIPPINES
Phone: ++63-38-502-9056
Fax: ++63-38-502-9107
email: dive@genesisdivers.com |
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Comments to webmaster: webmaster@genesisdivers.com |