ID card
Area 300 400 km2
Population 100,003,378 inhabitants (2014)
Capital Manila
Languages english, filipino
Filipino peso currency
Excerpt from the Travel Guide Library Philippines
Capital and largest city in the country, Maynila (Manila) is generally
needed as a starting point for a trip to the Philippines. But the gradual
opening of new international lines allows you today to enter the archipelago by
Cebu City or Davao.
The frenzy and chaos in Maynila is likely to disrupt you. The city is
nevertheless safe (apart from the inevitable hustlers of all kinds) - and
imbued with a history illustrated by the architecture of Malacañang Palace, the
thick walls of Intramuros, and the bustling Chinatown. Excursions will take you
to Taal and Pinatubo, active volcanoes, or to seaside resorts with crystal
clear waters of Batangas.
Maynila is located in the south of Luzón, the largest island in the
archipelago and the northernmost. To the north lie the highlands of Baguio and
Banaue, whose terraced rice fields stretch as far as the eye can see. On the
north-west coast, the Ilocos region is home to jewels such as Vigan, an old
Spanish city.
In the center of the archipelago, the Visayas scatter their islands. The
area is anchored around the island and the city of Cebu - a dynamic hub in full
swing and a base for resorts and coral reefs. The pristine beach and
festivities of Boracay, located north of Panay, drain a steady stream of
foreign bathers and night owls. Tour operators of adventure tours are
increasingly likely to go to unspoilt destinations like Samar and Leyte in the
Eastern Visayas.
To the west of the Visayas, the long island of Palawan stretches its
secret beaches and limpid waters still difficult to reach. Mindanao, finally,
reigns on the south of the archipelago. Its sunny shores and lush mountains
host very specific indigenous cultures. Its southwestern part, marked by
tourist kidnappings and fierce fighting between rebel groups and the army, is
not recommended for travelers. But you can safely explore cities like Davao or
Cagayan, as Mount Apo, the highest point in the country.
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