Where is the Philippines? 11 popular tourist destinations of this country

Do you know which continent the Philippines is on? Have you ever traveled to this beautiful country? The Philippines is one of the attractive tourist destinations for those who love nature and want to spend a few days away from the hustle and bustle. Traveling to the Philippine Islands will show different landscapes, From bustling cities to quiet beaches and stunning mountain views. This article will introduce you to this Asian country and its most popular areas. Stay with us.

Introducing the Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelago in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific Ocean. This country has over 7000 islands located 800 kilometers off the coast of Vietnam. Manila is the capital of the Philippines, and Quezon City is the most populous city in the southeast of the Philippine archipelago.

In the 16th century, the king of Spain, Philip II, colonized this archipelago, and the country’s name was taken from this king. The Philippines has been a colony of Spain and under the trusteeship of the United States of America for many years. For this reason, it has many cultural affinities with the West. This country is rich in resources and has the potential to create a robust industrial economy. However, most people’s occupation is still agriculture.

The government of the Philippines is democratic and based on the constitution. The President of the Philippines is the head of the government and the commander of the country’s armed forces. The people elect the president and can remain in this position for only one term of 6 years.

Geography

The Philippine Sea borders the Philippine archipelago to the east, the Celebes Sea to the south, the Sulu Sea to the southwest, and the South China Sea to the West and north. The total number of islands in this archipelago was 7,107. Still, in 2016, the Philippine National Mapping and Resource Information Agency announced that more than 500 islands in the country have yet to be discovered. The immense islands of the Philippines are divided into three groups:

• Luzon group in the north and west: consisting of Luzon, Mindoro and Palawan.
• Central Visayas Group: Consisting of Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Masbate, Negros, Panay and Samar.
• Mindanao group in the south.

Climate

The climate of the Philippines is tropical and highly monsoonal, meaning it is wet in some seasons and dry in others. Rain-producing winds from the southwest blow from May to October, and drier winds from the northeast from November to February. The dry season usually starts in December and ends in May. The first three months of this season are excellent, and the second 3 months are hot. The rest of the year is the Philippines’ wet season, so November to February is the best season to visit the country. During these months, the air cools at night and has little humidity. The days are pleasant and sunny.

People

The people of the Philippines are ethnically diverse, but collectively, they are called Filipinos. Most people’s ancestors were of Malay descent and came to these islands from Southeast Asia and Indonesia. Contemporary Filipino society is made up of about 100 distinct ethnic groups.

The language of the people of the Philippines is mostly Filipino and English. Still, according to sociological research, about 150 languages ​​are common in this country. The roots of some languages ​​go back to the Asian ancestors of the people of the Philippines, and others have Spanish and English roots. This country has many dialects and accents, but almost everyone can speak English.

Most people in the Philippines are Catholic Christians. Followers of other Christian sects make up almost one-tenth of the population. Islam also entered the Philippines from Brunei in the 15th century, and today, about 5% of the people are Muslims, who mostly live in the southern islands. A small number of Filipinos also follow Buddhism or local religions.

The population density of the Philippines is high, but the population distribution is uneven. The population density of parts of Manila is 100 times that of some remote areas, such as the mountains of northern Luzon. The birth rate of this country is significantly higher than the global average as well as the average of Southeast Asia. More than 80% of the population was rural at the beginning of the 20th century. Still, in the early 21st century, this number decreased to 40%. In rural areas, houses are often tiny and have only one or two rooms.

In the bigger cities, there is a sharp class difference. Rich people live in multi-story dwellings, but a large part of people are still stuck in poverty. They occupy every vacant land and shelter themselves with wood, sheet metal, bamboo, and other discarded materials. These people do not have access to water, electricity, or health services.

Economy

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are everyday economic activities in the Philippines. One of the most essential products of the Philippines is rice. Still, local farmers also grow sugarcane, bananas, coconuts, corn, pineapples, mangoes, citrus fruits, and papayas. They also export some of these products.

Fish plays a vital role in the nutrition of the Filipino people and provides protein in their diet. Filipinos have been fishing for a long time, but since the early 1990s, the industry has been growing. Canned tuna is the main export product of this country. In addition, lionfish, sardines, anchovies, and other seafood are also exported.

Years ago, about half of the land in the Philippines was forested and covered with various trees. Most of the trees in these areas had commercial value, but over the past years, this natural fabric has been endangered. Indiscriminate logging and inadequate reforestation efforts have damaged the Philippines’ forests. The Philippine government has banned timber exports since the mid-1980s, but valuable timber from Philippine forests continues to be illegally exported.

Culture

Philippine society is culturally unique. People are homogenous and similar to each other despite their many differences. Geographically, the Philippines is part of Southeast Asia, but culturally, it is closer to Europe and America. Western countries have ruled this archipelago for about four centuries, leaving an indelible mark on the Philippines. Still, the educated class of this country has always tried to preserve its Asian identity and stick to its cultural heritage.

Life in the Philippines revolves around family. Filipinos value family relationships, and most of their customs are held in family gatherings. Most of the critical events of Filipinos are related to their religion. Catholics have baptisms and weddings, and Muslims have their celebrations. Still, some holidays are official in the Philippines. Christmas, Easter, Eid al-Fitr, New Year’s Day, Labor Day, and Philippine Independence Day are the official celebrations of this country.

Today, Filipinos dress like modern Western countries, but in some areas, it is still expected to wear native clothes. Men in these areas wear an embroidered shirt called a barong for formal events. Philippine women also wear long dresses with wide sleeves covering them from the shoulders to the elbows.

Tourism

The Philippines is a tourist country that millions of tourists visit yearly. Most of the travelers to this country come from South Korea, America, and Japan. In recent years, the number of Asian tourists has increased. This country is one of the most beautiful and popular destinations among the people of the world because the cost of traveling there is not high. Of course, the cost of traveling to the Philippines depends entirely on the type of travel.

Due to the progress of the Philippines, the number of immigrants to this country has also increased. There are several ways to obtain Philippine residency. The Philippines offers a variety of study and work visas to those who intend to live in this country.

Sights of the Philippines

The Philippines is a beautiful and diverse country for tourists. Whether you are looking for exciting adventures or want to spend a few days in peace, the Philippines is the right choice for your vacation. In this archipelago, you can experience diving and cave climbing with sharks or walk on white sandy beaches and immerse yourself in the architecture of colonial churches. The people’s hospitality and this country’s delicious food will make your trip more memorable. Next, we review the most popular places to visit in the Philippines.

1. Manila

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is known as the “Pearl of the East”. Manila Bay is one of the largest ports in the world and one of the most important commercial cities in the Philippines. Mangrove forests surround this bay and create a pleasant environment for spending holidays. The calm waters of Manila Bay and the view of the sunset in this city create a dream atmosphere for you to enjoy your vacation.

You will have a lot of fun in the historic city of Manila. There are many museums, parks, theatres, shopping malls, and restaurants in Manila where tourists spend their time. If you visit this city, don’t be afraid to try new foods. Manila is famous for its local markets and delicious street food. Legazpi Sunday Market, Quiapo Market, and Chinatown are the best places to eat fresh and delicious Filipino food.

2. Cebu

Cebu is a port city in the Philippines. In this city, you can simultaneously see the calmness of the beaches and the hustle and bustle of modern life. For this reason, it is considered one of this country’s most important tourist destinations. Many foreign and domestic travelers visit Cebu yearly and spend their holidays in this beautiful city. Cebu is a historical city and is said to be one of the origins of Christianity in the Philippines.

Cebu’s historical monuments are a fusion of Filipino culture and Spanish architecture that you can spend hours in without boredom. If you prefer to have an adventurous trip, it is better to visit the outskirts of Cebu. On the beaches of this city, you can try swimming next to sea creatures or canyoning at Kawasan waterfall. Cebu’s climate is warm and tropical, and monsoon rains fall most days of the year.

3. Saint Augustine Church

San Agustin Church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. This building was built in 1586, and UNESCO declared it a world heritage. The design of this church is in Baroque style, and the influence of Spanish and Chinese architecture can be seen in it. The doors of the church have intricate carvings and stunning beauty. During the past years, this building has been renovated many times. The last renovation of San Agustin was done in 2013. San Agustin Church is one of the tourist attractions in the Philippines that you should not miss.

4. National Museum of the Philippines

If you want to learn about the Philippines’ culture, history, and customs, visit the National Museum of the Philippines. This museum has four main sections where a complete collection from all over the world is gathered. You can see works in this country’s natural history, archaeology, zoology, anthropology, and art in the National Museum. The Philippine government believes that all people should have an opportunity to get to know the different cultural aspects of this country. For this reason, there is no entrance fee to visit the National Museum, and visitors can see it for free.

5. Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills, located in the Carmen region of Bahl Island, are one of the most spectacular places in the Philippines. These hills are spread over ​​50 square kilometers, creating a mesmerizing view. Chocolate hills have a strange shape. These hills are high cones that are all similar to each other. During the dry seasons, the green grass of this area dries up completely and turns a light brown color, which is why it is known as the Chocolate Hills.

6. Banaue terraced rice fields

The terraced rice fields of Banaue used to be just winding fields on the side of the mountain. The local people had left this area and did not prosper, but today, young farmers have returned to these paddy fields. The new generation of farmers is reviving these farms, and they have turned into one of the sights of the Philippines.

They use their ancestors’ methods to irrigate the fields and bring water to the paddy fields from the top of the ice-covered mountains. This water supply technique is a sign of the advanced engineering skills of the ancients of this region. In 1995, UNESCO declared the Banaue rice fields a world heritage; today, they have many visitors.

7. Puerto Princesa National Park

Puerto Princesa National Park is a tourist attraction for nature lovers. This park is only one hour away from downtown Porto-Prince. Puerto Princesa National Park has a variety of flora and fauna and was selected as one of the New Seven Wonders in 2012. Millions of tourists visit the Philippines every year to see this beautiful park. While visiting this park, tourists board a rowboat and pass through a fascinating cave with stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and an underground river.

8. Siargao

Siargao is a small island that looks like a teardrop and is one of the most famous sights in the Philippines. The beach of Siargao Island has fine white sand and turquoise water along its coastline. This beach is one of the most popular spots for surfing and diving. Near the beach are beautiful coral reefs, one of this city’s natural attractions. Siargao also has several waterfalls and lagoons. If you are not interested in diving and surfing, you can visit these places and spend hours in peace. Caving is another popular activity on Siargao Island that makes for an exciting trip.

9. the wind

Samal is one of the largest islands in the Philippines. There are many entertainments in Samal, and you will be energized. Hagimit waterfall is one of Samal’s sights, and many tourists travel to it to relax. You can sit and enjoy long hours on the white beach of this island, next to the calm waters. Diving, cave climbing, and fishing are other activities on this island. One of the natural wonders of Samal Island is the effect of tides on the beach sand. About 80 hectares of the island’s surface goes under water during high tide and emerges during low tide. You will feel joy and happiness all over the island of Samal.

10. Crohn’s

Coron is the third largest island in the Philippines. In Krone, you can see the high limestone peaks created on nested caves. You can spend a few hours exploring between these caves and mountains and have an adventure. If you are also interested in diving, this island is an attractive destination. Clearwater, colorful coral reefs, and a sunken Japanese ship near Krone Beach are among the tourist attractions of this beautiful island. The climate of Krone Island is hot, and coconut and mango trees can be seen in some areas of the coast. In addition, there are several lakes and lagoons in Krone, a dream destination for tourists.

11. Tagaytay

Tagaytay is very popular among the places to visit in the Philippines. Tagaytay is a high city overlooking Taal Lake. Taal Lake and Volcano are one of the natural attractions of the Philippines, and you can watch its view for hours. Tagaytay has pleasant weather and various sightseeing spots. The tranquillity of the island is very suitable for tourists who want to relax for a few days away from stress. Another famous place in Tagaytay is Sonia Garden. In this garden, you will enjoy a romantic and peaceful atmosphere away from the crowd and delicious local food.

last word

The Philippines is an alluring destination with natural wonders and a rich culture that beckons tourists worldwide. By traveling to this country, you will see stunning sights that will remain in your memory forever. Also, this country is a land of diversity. In the Philippines, you can see different languages, religions, and cultures, all of which have peacefully and together created the warm spirit of the Philippine archipelago.

If you have previously traveled to these beautiful islands, share your experiences with us.