Liken the Philippines to a fabric rich in vibrant hues and textures. In bold colors are the gaiety of its town fiestas, the excitement of a boat ride down the rapids. In subtle shades are the quiet countryside, the unhurried pace of an island escapade, and the soothing birdcalls in a rainforest. A festive archipelago of 7,107 islands covering a land area of 299,764 sq. kms., the Philippines stretches from the south of China to the northern tip of Borneo. Three main island groups comprise the Philippines, namely Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Luzon is the country's largest island group with eight regions, 38 provinces, 56 cities, 715 municipalities and 20,482 barangays. On the other hand, Visayas has 3 regions, 16 provinces, 32 cities, 376 municipalities and 11,443 barangays, while Mindanao has 6 regions, 25 provinces, 404 municipalities and 10,031 barangays.
The country of 80 million fun-loving Filipinos has over a hundred ethnic groups speaking a variety of languages and a mixture of foreign influences which have molded a unique Filipino culture. A splendid tradition of warm hospitality will welcome any visitor to the islands where wholesome fun, natural beauty, and adventure are never far away.
The country holds countless attractions: from its gracious, centuries-old culture to its unspoilt, sun-drenched beaches and cascading waterfalls; from sophisticated entertainment spots and restaurants to the five-star accommodation and shopping facilities of its vibrant cities such as Manila, its capital. The list goes on and on.
We invite you to visit the Philippines and discover for yourself the Filipino way of life. Few days go by without a joyous gathering of some sort, happening somewhere in this archipelago of boundless excitement.
"The second-largest archipelago in the world, with over 7000 tropical islands, the Philippines is one of the great treasures of Southeast Asia. Often overlooked by travellers because of its location on the ‘wrong' side of the South China Sea, the Philippines rewards those who go the extra distance to reach it. And because it's off the beaten path, the Philippines is a great place to escape the hordes who descend on other parts of Southeast Asia. First and foremost, the Philippines is a place of natural wonders - a string of coral-fringed islands strewn across a vast expanse of the western Pacific. Below sea level, the Philippines boasts some of the world's best diving and snorkelling, including wreck diving around Coron and swimming with the whale sharks off Donsol. Above sea level, it has a fantastic landscape with wonders enough to stagger even the most jaded traveller: the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, Banaue & the Rice Terraces and fascinating reminders of the islands' history in places such as Samar & Leyte and Vigan. And if you're after palm-fringed, white-sand beaches, try laidback Sipalay or flat-out party town Boracay." - www.lonelyplanet.com
For more information on Philippine tourism, please visit www.tourism.gov.ph and www.wowphilippines.ca.
