Fact 1: The Philippines is an Archipelago of Over 7,500 Islands
One of the most amazing facts about the Philippines is the sheer number of islands that make up the country – 7,641 to be exact. With only about 2,000 of these islands inhabited, this makes for plenty of unexplored territory and hidden holiday destinations.
Fact 2: The Philippines is Home to the World's Smallest Volcano
Taal Volcano, located in the province of Batangas, is considered the smallest volcano in the world. It's only 1,020 feet high and its base diameter is only about 1.2 miles but despite its small size, it's actually one of the world's 16 Decade Volcanoes, being more alert and deadly than others.
Fact 3: The Philippines is the Texting Capital of the World
Until recently, the Philippines held the title for the most texts sent anywhere in the world. In fact, a Filipino can average about 600 texts per month which is more than the U.S and Europe combined.
Fact 4: The Jeepney is a Popular Form of Transportation
The Jeepney is an iconic symbol of Filipino creativity and artistry. These vibrant, highly decorated extended jeeps were once U.S military jeeps left over from WWII that have been modified to accommodate more passengers and decorated with colorful paints and ornaments.
Fact 5: The Philippines Has a Unique Way of Celebrating Christmas
With the longest Christmas season in the world, the Philippines starts its celebration from September and continues until the first Sunday of January. The highlight of this season is the "Simbang Gabi", or Night Mass, a 9-day series of Masses leading up to Christmas Eve.
Fact 6: The Philippines is the Home of the largest Eagle in the World
The Philippines eagle also known as the monkey-eating eagle is the largest eagle in the world, in terms of total body length. This majestic bird, unfortunately, is critically endangered with only around 400 pairs left in the wild.
Fact 7: The Philippines Was Once Named After a King
In honor of King Philip II of Spain, Spanish explorer Ruy López de Villalobos named the Archipelago "Las Islas Filipinas", which later became the Philippines.
Fact 8: The Philippines is a Leading Producer of Coconuts
One of the major sources of income in the Philippines is the coconut industry. As the world's second largest producer of coconuts, a typical Filipino farmer can plant and harvest up to 50 coconuts per day.
Fact 9: The Philippines Was Once a Colony of the United States
After being ruled by Spain for over 300 years, the Philippines became a U.S. Territory following the Spanish-American War in 1898. The Philippines gained its full independence from the United States on July 4, 1946, and celebrates it as their Independence Day.
Fact 10: The Philippines Has Its Own Billiards Factory
The world's largest billiards factory is located in the Philippines. The Puyat Sports, family-owned since 1960, is responsible for providing the high-quality billiard tables that professionals use in competitions all around the world.
Fact 11: The Philippines is the only Majority Christian Nation in Asia
With Christianity introduced by the Spanish in the 16th century, the Philippines is the only country in Asia where the majority of the population is Christian, specifically Roman Catholic. Over 80% of the population practices this faith.
Fact 12: Filipinos Are Some of The Best English Speakers in Asia
Thanks to the American colonization period, English has been adopted alongside Filipino as one of the two official languages. Consequently, the Philippines consistently ranks among the top English-speaking countries where English isn’t the first language.
Fact 13: Filipinos Love Basketball
Basketball is the most popular sport in the Philippines. Whether in the cities or in the provinces, you'll see makeshift hoops and courts. The Philippines is also home to the oldest professional basketball league in Asia – the Philippine Basketball Association.
Fact 14: French Fries in the Philippines are Purple
Ube, a purple yam that's used as a cooking ingredient in the Philippines, is also used to make purple french fries. These colorful fries are a popular snack and are definitely a must-try when visiting the country.
Fact 15: The Philippines is Known for its Thriving Biodiversity
Home to an incredibly diverse range of wildlife, the Philippines is one of the ten most biologically mega-diverse countries and is home to the highest rates of animal discovery in the world.
Fact 16: The First Female President in Asia was from the Philippines
Corazon Aquino, wife of the assassinated opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr., was the first female President in Asia. She led the Philippines from 1986 to 1992.
Fact 17: The Philippines Has a Flag That Can Indicate a State of War
The national flag of the Philippines has a unique feature – it can indicate a state of war. This is shown when the flag is displayed with the red side on top - in peace time, the blue is on top.
Fact 18: The Philippines has 175 Languages
Being an archipelago made up of different ethnic groups, the Philippines is home to an impressive 175 spoken languages, but only two are official languages: Filipino and English.
Fact 19: San Fernando is Famous for its Giant Lantern Festival
Held in December, the Giant Lantern Festival is an annual event in San Fernando, Pampanga, showcasing huge, intricately-designed lanterns that symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. The lanterns can reach up to 20 feet in diameter and are lit by about 5,000 light bulbs.
Fact 20: The Philippines was Home to the World’s Largest Python in Captivity
Named "Prony," this python was 23-foot long and weighed 300 kilograms. However, Prony died of old age and now rests in a life-size replica at the Albulario Zoo in Bohol.