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10 Incredible Facts About the Philippines
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The Philippines is a beautiful country in South-East Asia. Philippines tourism is rife with amazing culture, beautiful landscapes, beaches and crystal-clear water, amazing people, and delicious food.
There is a lot more about this country still most people don’t know. Here are some mind-blowing facts about the Philippines.
1. More than 7,000 Islands to explore
The country comprises of more than 7,000 islands sandwiched between the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea. Only 2000 of these islands are inhabited. This is according to the report released by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA). These islands make the country one of the most thrilling travel destinations as it offers various activities and places to explore.
2. The National Flag is flown upside down when there is war
The National Flag of the Philippines is the only country flag worldwide that is inverted to signal that that the country is at war. When the country is in the state of war, the red stripe appears on the top. The flag was hoisted this way during the in the World War II and Filipino Revolutionary War.
3. Some of the world’s largest malls
Of the world’s 10 largest shopping malls, 3 of them are found the Philippines. These shopping malls include SM Megamall located in the Ortigas business district, SM North Edsa located in Quezon City, and SM Mall of Asia located in Bay City. These malls have become tourist destinations raising the standard of shopping, entertainment and leisure in the Philippines.
4. Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras
These rice terraces are located conveniently on the mountain range in the remote areas of the Philippine Cordillera. UNESCO classified them as one of the world heritage site having been built about 2,000 years ago. They are handed down from one generation to the next, and have helped create a landscape of great beauty.
5. Named Philippines by Spanish explorer
The country was named Philippines’ by Ruy Lopez de Villalobos to honor of King Philip II of Austria. Ruy López de Villalobos was a respected Spanish explorer who also discovered a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean.
6. More than 180 languages and dialects
There are more than 180 languages and dialects spoken in the Philippines. Of these languages, two of them, Filipino and English, are official languages spoken by almost two thirds of the population. Before then, when the country was under the Spanish colonial rule, Spanish was the official language of the Philippines for more than three decades.
7. 11% of the population work overseas
More than 11 million Philippines work overseas. The country is the top supplier of doctors and nurses in the world. They are the second largest Asian population in the U.S.
8. Only Asian country that is predominantly Christian
The Philippines is the only country that is predominantly Christian. In fact, more than 90 percent of the Philippines practice Christianity. Of this population, about 80 percent are Catholics.
9. You Can Travel to The Philippines Using Cryptocurrency
If you are planning to visit the Philippines for vacation or for any reason, you can use cryptocurrency to make travel extra convenient. One way to do this is through XcelTrip. It is a de-centralized travel eco-system and a full-service online travel platform. Through Xceltrip tokens, you can do hotels and restaurant booking and buy awesome holiday packages.
10. Philippines is a Cryptocurrency Friendly Country
The Philippine government welcomes about a dozen cryptocurrency organizations. They are allowed to operate in a special tax-friendly economic zone so long as they abide to the country’s laws and regulations.
