Map of the Philippines

The Philippines is the first Christian nation in Southeast Asia. It consists of three major islands -- Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao -- and over 7,000 smaller islands. Manila is the capital, with other cities growing at a rapid rate like Cebu and Davao. It was a colony of Spain from 1565 to 1898, and later by the United States, from 1898 to 1935. She declared independence from Spain on June 12, 1898, the first Asian country to break out of colonial rule from western power.

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