Before exploring the Philippines and discovering what it has to offer, let's take a quick look at the basic information about this wonderful country.

• The Philippines is located in Southeast Asia, with the Philippine Sea on the east, South China Sea on the west, and Celebes Sea on the south.

• Known as the second largest archipelago in the world, it is composed of 7,107 islands. The country is divided into three large island groups namely Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Manila is the country's capital.

• At 2,954 meters above sea level, Mt. Apo is the highest mountain in the country. It is located in Mindanao.

• With a population estimate of about 90.5 million in 2008, the Philippines is considered as the 12th most populous country in the world.

• This tropical country has two seasons: dry (from November to May) and wet (from June to October).

• The country is situated within the typhoon belt of the Western Pacific, and approximately 20 typhoons strike the country annually.

• Filipino is the national language. Regional languages/dialects include Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Ilonggo, Waray, and Kapampangan. A large part of the population can speak English.

• Roman Catholic is the dominant religion in the country. Other religions include Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism.

• The currency in the country is the Philippine peso (Php). Notes are in Php20, Php50, Php100, Php200, Php500, and Php1000 denominations.

• US dollars are widely used and accepted in Metro Manila and key tourist destinations. Banks, shopping malls, and foreign exchange centers are available in major cities.

• The Philippine economy depends primarily on agriculture. Industries such as manufacturing, mining, and tourism also play major roles.

• There are about 11 million overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and their remittances contribute substantially to the economy.

• Business process outsourcing (BPO) is one of the fastest growing industries in the country which has long been established as an ideal offshoring destination, particularly for voice-based BPO services.

We hope that you will find these basic facts useful. There are a lot more things to know and discover about the country, so pack your bags, head to the Philippines, and have fun!