Philippines Islands

Overview  Location

POPULATION There are a total of 76.5 million Filipinos as of the latest national census in May 2000. Population growth is estimated at 2.36 percent annually. Luzon, the largest island group, accounts for more than half of the entire population. LANGUAGES Filipinos are bilingual. More than 90% of Filipinos could understand English and understand Filipino (for Filipinos who have a different dialect).

Filipino, which is based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is also widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education.

Eight (8) major dialects spoken by majority of the Filipinos: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense.

Like any living language, Filipino is in a process of development through loans from Philippine languages and foreign languages.

There are about 76 to 78 major language groups, with more than 500 dialects.

RELIGIONS
Approximately 90% of Filipinos are Christian, according to the 2000 census, and around 80% are Catholic. This makes the Philippines the only predominantly Christian country in Asia.

UNIT OF MEASURE
The Metric System is used in most trade and legal transactions.

ELECTRICITY
220 volts a/c is the common standard. 110 volts a/c is also used, especially in major hotels.

CURRENCY
The Philippines' monetary unit is the peso, divided into 100 centavos. Foreign currency may be exchanged at any hotels, most large department stores, banks, and authorized money changing shops accredited by the Central Bank of the Philippines. International credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Bank Americard, Master Card, and American Express are accepted in major establishments.

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BORACAY