More Fun Facts in the Philippines

 

An Asian culture infused with Spanish and American makes the Philippines one of the most exciting places to visit and live in. The Philippines population is  under dispute with people saying the population is between 100 to 150 million. It is hard to be really sure because not everyone is registered at birth.

Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines in 1521, marking the start of the archipelago’s colonization under Spanish rule, a 377-year period that lasted until 1898.

The islands were dubbed “the Philippines” after King Philip II of Spain.

As a result of the Spanish influence, the country is predominantly Christian with 90% of the population practicing some mode of Christianity, the vast majority being Roman Catholic.

The world’s largest Christmas lantern was illuminated in San Fernando, Pampanga on Dec. 24, 2002. The structure was 26.8 meters in diameter and cost five million Philippine pesos.

• In the Philippines, Filipinos were introduced to the English language in 1762 by British invaders, not Americans.

• What is the world’s 3rd largest English-speaking nation, next to the USA and the UK? The Philippines.

• The Philippines has 7,107 islands.

• The Philippines has the world’s longest discontinuous coastline (36,000 km.)

• There are 61 bays and harbors and 20 straits.

• Manila Bay is the largest bay in the Philippines and the finest harbor in Asia.

• San Juanico Strait is the world’s narrowest strait. It lies between Samar and Leyte.

• On the islands of Philippines, there are more than 200 volcanoes, though only a few are active.

• The Philippine flag is the only flag in the world which is hoisted upside-down when the country is in war.

• Mt. Mayon in Bicol has the world’s most perfect cone.

• Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese explorer, was the first European to visit the Philippines.

 

Provinces with the Least Towns

The island provinces of Camiguin and Guimaras has only 5 municipalities each; Batanes, Marinduque, Quirino and Siquijor has 6 each.

Negros Occidental – Province with the Most Cities

Negros Occidental has 13 cities making it the Philippine province with the most cities namely: Bacolod City, Bago City, Cadiz City, Escalante City, Himamaylan City, Kabankalan City, La Carlota City, Sagay City, San Carlos City, Silay City, Sipalay City, Talisay City and Victorias City.

The province of Cebu has 9 cities namely: Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapulapu City, Danao City, Talisay City, Toledo City, Bogo City, Carcar City and Naga City.