The Philippines

island nation · Southeast Asia · Pacific Ocean · mega-diverse

About 7,641 islands. The Philippines is an archipelago, which means it's a group of islands spread across the ocean. Only about 2,000 of these islands have names, and only around 460 are inhabited by people.

Three main regions. The islands are divided into three large geographical areas from north to south: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Each region has its own character and culture.

Over 114 million people. The Philippines is the twelfth most populated country in the entire world. That's a lot of people sharing this beautiful island nation.

Located in the Pacific. You'll find the Philippines in Southeast Asia, sitting in the western Pacific Ocean. This location makes it part of a region full of amazing cultures and biodiversity.

300,000 square kilometers. All of the Philippines' islands add up to an area about the size of Italy. Despite being spread across thousands of islands, the total land area is relatively compact.