The Philippine Archipelago is an island nation comprised of 7,107 islands, covering a total area of 116,000 square miles (300,000 square kilometers), the 72nd largest country in the world.

While long settled by Austronesian peoples and enjoying trading relations with China since the 11th century and where its various enthic groups evolved their own languages, dialects, and culture, it entered into and fused with the "western" world courtesy of the Spaniards in 1565 when Spain organized and colonized the Philippines. They named this country after King Philip II of Spain, whose loyal subjects then occupied the country for the succeeding 300 years, until the United States took over in 1898 after the bitterly fought Philippine–American War. In World War II the Japanese invaded and occupied the Philippines until their surrender to Allied troops in 1945. The country finally gained its independence on July 4, 1946, after almost 400 years of various foreign rule.

According to 2006 population statistics there are more than 86 million people in the country. English and Filipino (based on Tagalog) are the predominant spoken languages, although there are other important languages such as Ilonggo, Cebuano, Ilocano, Bicolano, Pangasinense and numerous dialects spoken nationally. Most Filipinos are Roman Catholic, however there is a strong minor Muslim population mostly found in Mindanao and Sulu in the South.

The Philippines is divided into three geographical areas: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao and has 17 regions, 81 provinces, 117 cities, 1,501 municipalities, and 41,982 barangays. It is a democracy with a centralized government located in Manila, the capital, with an elected President as head of state, an elected House of Representatives and Senate as the policy making bodies, and an independent judiciary appointed by the President.

Filipino culture is a fusion of the indigenous pre–Hispanic traditions, combined with the Spanish and American cultures, with some Chinese, Indo–Malayan, and Indian influences.

The primary legacies of Spain on the culture are found in the religious festivals known as fiestas that commemorate the patron saints of each town. There are also the Spanish surnames prevalent even among those with no Spanish ancestry and the names of towns, churches, streets also have Hispanic origin. Influences are also found in traditional party food such as paella and callos. Likewise in the food is found some Chinese influence such as in street food items like pancit or mami, both noodle dishes.

The American legacy lies in the educational system and in the use of English as the primary medium of instruction. There are also some popular cultural influences like in the most popular sport being basketball, the growing fast food craze, and in American pop music and movies flooding the market.

Underlying all these foreign influences however, are indigenous traditions and values like respect for elders and authority, respect of family, hospitality and warmth toward strangers, ancestor veneration, belief in natural forces and spirits, respect of community and family over the individual, and a natural sensitivity to the feelings of others.

Travel in the Philippines is generally a pleasant experience and foreigners are welcomed and treated hospitably particularly in the countryside where lifestyles are simpler and more relaxed. English is widely spoken and therefore language poses no barriers.

For additional travel tips and current travel advisories, visit the links below:
http://www.tourism.gov.ph/trip_planner/travel_essentials.asp#climate
http://www.tourism.gov.ph