Philippines: flag, capital, currency and history

Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is a country in South-Eastern Asia, Asia. Its capital is Manila. The currency is the Philippine peso. Languages spoken include English and Filipino.

Quick facts about Philippines

Official name: Republic of the Philippines
Capital: Manila
Region: Asia, South-Eastern Asia
Currency: Philippine peso (PHP, ₱)
Languages: English, Filipino
Calling code: +63
Internet domain: .ph
Area: 342,353 km² (132,183 sq mi)
Land borders: None (island or surrounded by water)
Demonym: Filipino
National day: Independence Day, June 12

Flag of Philippines

Download the flag of Philippines as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇵🇭.

SVG (vector)

History of Philippines

Home to Austronesian-speaking peoples and trading polities long before European contact, the archipelago entered Spanish colonial rule after Ferdinand Magellan's arrival in 1521 and the settlement begun by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1565. Spanish rule lasted more than three centuries. A revolution began in 1896, independence was declared in 1898, and the islands then passed to the United States after the Spanish-American War. Japan occupied the country during the Second World War. Full independence came in 1946, and a popular uprising in 1986 ended the Marcos government. The Philippines is a presidential republic with Manila as its capital.

Key dates

1521Ferdinand Magellan reaches the archipelago and is killed in battle on Mactan.
1565Miguel Lopez de Legazpi founds the first lasting Spanish settlement, at Cebu.
1896The Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule begins.
1898Independence is declared in June; Spain cedes the islands to the United States by the Treaty of Paris.
1942Japan occupies the Philippines during the Second World War.
1946The United States recognises Philippine independence on 4 July.
1986The People Power Revolution ends the rule of Ferdinand Marcos.