Philippines Travel Guide

The magical and intriguing Philippines is made up of more than 7,100 islands spread across 300,000 square kilometres (115,000 sq miles) of land and sits within the South China Sea surrounded by Taiwan to the north, Vietnam to the west and Borneo to the south. The population approaching 100 million people is largely concentrated on only 11 of the islands making it one of the world's most densely populated countries and leading to an amazing and diverse culture with a rich history which makes for an incredibly interesting adventure for those who want to explore it.

It's postulated that the islands have been inhabited by humans for tens of thousands of years but it is known that tribes from Asia settled in the island several thousand years ago. The famed Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan discovered the islands in the sixteenth century whilst on a Spanish expedition and the Philippines were eventually colonised by Spain and became part of the Spanish Empire. The colony was ceded to the US in 1899 after the Spanish-American War. The country suffered greatly under the Japanese occupation during World War Two but was liberated by US forces in 1945 and granted independence in 1946. The second half of the twentieth century also proved difficult with mismanaged government, widespread poverty and corrupt officials. However, the Philippines of the 21st century is starting to find it's feet in the modern world economy and tourism is starting to play an important role in the country's future.

There is a vast array of experiences for the traveller and The Philippines offers holidays for adventure-seekers, people looking to explore the culture or those just wanting a relaxing vacation in a luxury beach-side resort. The capital city of Manila has a population of more than 1.5 million people and is a dervish of sights, smells and sounds. It can be a little overwhelming at first but the underlying friendliness of the people will ensure you have a great time. For those who want to explore the underwater world the Philippines has an amazing selection of scuba diving sites and the thousands of kilometres of coastline will keep every sunseeker happy.

The Philippines has a menu of experiences that is virtually endless and the more dishes you sample the more you want to explore this amazing, complex and friendly nation.