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| Visitor Information - THE PHILIPPINES |
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The Philippines in the World The Philippines is readily accessible from the travel capitals of the world. Traveling time to Manila from Hong Kong is 2 hours; from Singapore, 3 hours and 25 minutes; Bangkok, 3 hours and 15 minutes; Tokyo, 4 hours and 15 minutes; Sydney, 9 hours and 35 minutes; London, 14 hours; Paris, 14 hours and 45 minutes; Frankfurt, 14 hours and 10 minutes; San Francisco, 11 hours and 50 minutes; Los Angeles, 12 hours and 35 minutes; and New York, 18 hours. The Philippines An archipelago of 7,107 islands, the Philippines stretches from the south of China to the northern tip of Borneo. The country has over a hundred ethnic groups and a mixture of foreign influences which have molded a unique Filipino culture. Before the Spanish explorers came, Indo-Malays and Chinese merchants had settled here. In 1521 the Spaniards, led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, discovered the islands. The Spanish conquistadors established a colonial government in Cebu in 1565. They transferred the seat of government to Manila in 1571 and proceeded to colonize the country. The Filipinos resisted and waged Asia's first nationalist revolution in 1896. On June 12, 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo declared the Philippines independent from Spain and proclaimed himself president. After ruling for 333 years, the Spaniards finally left in 1898 and were replaced by the Americans who continued to colonize the country for another 48 years. The Americans brought over their educational system, their legal system, and their democratic form of government. On July 4, 1946, the Americans finally recognized Philippine independence. Considered as the third largest-English speaking country in the world, the Philippines has world-class facilities and services such as excellent accommodations, fine restaurants, modern shopping centers and communications services, efficient congress and exhibition organizers, and reliable tour operators. The country is divided into three geographical areas; Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It has 16 regions and 79 provinces. Its capital is Manila. Explore the Philippines' Wealth of Wonders The country may be accessed through 5 international gateways. One can explore other interesting destinations and venture out of these gateways by land, sea, or air. MANILA offers many places of
interest that are easily accessible for day excursions: Intramuros,
the Walled city of Old Manila; Nayong Pilipino, a theme park
that showcases in small scale the country's famous landmarks;
Rizal Park, a tribute to the country's national hero; museums
and some of Asia's most modern and biggest shopping malls. From
Manila, the country's premiere gateway, one can access the following
destinations by land: Being the country's capital, other international gateway and secondary travel gateway cities and provinces can be accessed by air or sea. LAOAG is the international
gateway at the northernmost province in Luzon, Ilocos Norte.
Aside from offering a variety of destinations within the province,
the city is also an access point to: SUBIC, the most recent addition
to the country's list of international ports, offers both rest
and recreation and adventure. It serves as a most convenient
gateway to: CEBU, the country's first
capital and dubbed as the "Queen City of the South"
offers diverse attractions and facilities to cater to every tourist
preference. Due to its location in the Visayas, it also acts
as a major hub to cities in the Visayas and Mindanao, either
by air or sea. DAVAO offers an array of colors,
shapes, tastes and textures that manifest a fusion of indigenous
Filipino and Malay culture. In terms of land area, it is the
biggest city in the world, part of which is already the base
of the country's highest peak, Mount Apo. Situated in the eastern
part of Mindanao, Davao acts as the international gateway to
its neighboring provinces: SECONDARY TRAVEL GATEWAYS To experience
more the country's wealth of wonders, the country its dotted
with strategically located secondary gateways, which can give
the tourists more convenient travel connections to more remote
provinces and island destinations. LEGASPI CITY is one's front seat
to the spectacle of the Bicol region, the world renowned Mayon
Volcano, and the jump-off point to eco-tourism sites. Land and
sea connections are available from this gateway to: TACLOBAN CITY is the gateway to Eastern
Visayas, whose strategic location made it a perfect landing site
for Gen. Douglas MacArthur and the American troops that liberated
the Philippines from the Japanese forces during World War II.
From the city, one can venture out to: ILOILO CITY in Western Visayas boasts
of a number of historical attractions which include churches
and ancestral houses, as well as good beaches. Land and sea transportation
connects Iloilo to Boracay, which is hailed as one of the best
beaches in the world, and other quieter places in the region: PUERTO PRINCESA
CITY is the
capital of Palawan, known for its amazing species of wildlife
and marine life, and the jump-off point to: CAGAYAN DE
ORO CITY
is the gateway to picturesque Mindanao. The following destinations
offer visitors an array of power-packed adventure activities
such as white water rafting, kayaking, canopy walking, and surfing: ZAMBOANGA
CITY offers
a glimpse into the culture of 5 colorful tribal groups living
in harmony with the Christian community. It is the gateway to
the charming attractions and indigenous craft of the following
exotic places:
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