Philippines: Capital, Flag and Fun Facts

About Philippines

The Philippines is an island country in Southeast Asia, made up of thousands of islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It has volcanoes, rainforests, rice terraces and beautiful beaches. It is known for its friendly people, colourful festivals and amazing sea life.

About Manila

Manila is on the island of Luzon, along the shore of Manila Bay. It is known for Intramuros, its old walled city, the UNESCO-listed San Agustin Church and famous sunsets over the bay.

Fun facts about Philippines

1. The Philippines has more than 7,600 islands, and new ones are still being added to the official count.
2. On the island of Bohol, more than 1,200 rounded hills turn brown in the dry season and are called the Chocolate Hills.
3. The Philippine tarsier, one of the world's smallest primates, has eyes as big as its brain.
4. The Philippine eagle, the national bird, is one of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world.
5. The Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO site, flows through a cave for about 8.2 km and empties straight into the sea.
6. The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras were carved into steep mountainsides by hand centuries ago.