Philippines 🇵🇭

The Philippines is a sovereign country in South-Eastern Asia, in the wider region of Asia. The long form of the name is Republic of the Philippines. The capital is Manila.

Its territory runs to 342,353 km², which ranks it 65th of the 250 countries and territories in this dataset — just behind Germany and just ahead of Congo. That makes it almost exactly the same size as Finland.

Some 115.8 million people call it home, placing it 14th of 250 by population — between Egypt above it and DR Congo below. Within South-Eastern Asia alone it is the 4th largest of 11 and the 2nd most populous.

How the Philippines sits on the globe

The coordinates the dataset gives are 13.0° N, 122.0° E, which puts it in the northern hemisphere, roughly 1,447 km from the equator, in what geographers would call tropical latitudes.

Sudan, Chad and Yemen sit at almost exactly the same latitude on other parts of the globe.

There is no land frontier at all — every boundary it has is a coastline. That puts it among the 85 entries of 250 here with no land neighbours, which shapes how it trades and who it deals with.

Population and languages of the Philippines

Spread across 342,353 km², that works out at about 338 people per square kilometre, which makes it densely populated. For comparison, the median entry on this list sits near 90 per square kilometre.

2 languages carry official status: English and Filipino. Filipino is listed for no other entry in this dataset, which makes it effectively unique to the Philippines. English, the first listed, is shared with 90 other entries worldwide.

The demonym is Filipino, so residents are Filipinos.

Inside Asia it places 7th of 50 by population, and it accounts for 17% of everyone living in South-Eastern Asia.

Money, internet and phone codes

It uses the Philippine peso (₱, PHP). It shares that currency with.

The top-level domain is .ph. The international dialling code is +63. In ISO terms it is ph in two letters and PHL in three.

If a quiz asks for the capital of the Philippines, the answer is Manila.

The Philippines is one of the 193 UN member states in this dataset. The other 57 entries are territories, dependencies or observers, which is why totals on this site run to 250 rather than the familiar 195.

Fun facts about Philippines

• Ranked by land area, the Philippines is 65th out of the 250 countries and territories on this site.
• It has no land border with any other country — one of 85 such entries in this dataset.
• In land area it is almost exactly the same size as Finland.
• It lies about 1,447 km from the equator, in tropical latitudes.
• Websites based there use the .ph domain.
• Sudan and Chad sit at almost the same latitude, on the far side of the globe.
• English is official here and in 90 other entries worldwide.

Philippines — frequently asked questions

What is the capital of the Philippines?

The capital of the Philippines is Manila.

What is the population of the Philippines?

The Philippines has a population of about 115.8 million, which makes it the 14th most populous of the 250 countries and territories listed on this site. Egypt sits just above it and DR Congo just below.

Does the Philippines border any other country?

No. The Philippines has no land border with any other country, so every route in or out is by sea or air. 85 of the 250 entries on this site are in the same position.

Where is the Philippines located?

The Philippines is in South-Eastern Asia, part of Asia. Its reference coordinates are 13.0° north and 122.0° east, roughly 1,447 km from the equator in tropical latitudes.

Is the Philippines a country?

Yes. The Philippines is a sovereign state and one of the 193 UN members listed on this site.

What language is spoken in the Philippines?

The Philippines lists 2 official languages: English and Filipino. Filipino does not appear as an official language anywhere else in this dataset.

How big is the Philippines?

The Philippines covers 342,353 km², ranking 65th of 250 by land area. That makes it almost exactly the same size as Finland.

What currency does the Philippines use?

The Philippines uses the Philippine peso, written ₱ (currency code PHP).