The Philippines is a country favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia’s main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait. It is an archipelago comprising 7,107 islands with a total land area of 300,000 km2. See the red country in the middle?
From: pinterest.com
It has a tropical climate which makes it one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the world.
More than 7,100 islands fall within the borders of the Philippines hotspot, identified as one of the world’s biologically richest countries. Many endemic species are confined to forest fragments that cover only 7 percent of the original extent of the hotspot. This includes over 6,000 plant species and many birds species such as the Cebu flowerpecker, the Philippine cockatoo, the Visayan wrinkled hornbill, and the enormous Philippine eagle. Amphibian endemism is also unusually high and boasts unique species like the panther flying frog. – biodiversityhotspots.org
The islands are divided into three groups: Luzon (orange), Visayas (green), and Mindanao (red).
Source:http://maypakialam.deviantart.com/art/Philippines-or-Luzviminda-182497243
The Philippines boasts of many different kinds of natural water forms, such as bays, rivers, lakes falls, gulfs, straits, and swamps. Because it is made up of islands, the country’s coastline, if laid end-to-end, would measure around 17.5 thousand kilometers.
The Philippine islands lie in Southeast Asia, making it a cultural crossroads, where Malays, Chinese, Spaniards, Americans, Japanese ancestors gave the country a unique cultural and racial blend.
For almost 300 years, the Philippines was governed as a territory of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. Then, the islands were ceded by Spain to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris.
In World War II, the Japanese empire invaded the Philippines and established a puppet government. Allied troops defeated the Japanese in 1945, and in 1946, the Philippines was finally given its independence by the Americans.
The Philippines will be a very interesting place to retire to, with over 7,000 islands, its tropical climate, and the wide variety of species that can be found there, as well as people of various “mixed bloods.” Multiple ethnicities and cultures are found throughout the Islands. The influence of America is undoubtedly prevalent in their lifestyle. The United States bequeathed to the Philippines the English language and a stronger affinity for Western culture. Filipinos are in constant move to imitate American fashion and music!
Businesses catering to Americans flourish in the Philippines. They also have McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Subway, California Pizza, Pizza Hut, Dunkin’ Donuts and much more! They have Wal-Mart, Sam’s, ACE Hardware, etc. as well! Their supermarkets are filled with American goods – Hershey’s Kisses, M&Ms, Nescafe and Sanka Coffee, Toblerone, Hormel Corned Beef, Spam, Campbell Soups, Kellogg’s, Oreos, Chip Ahoy, Lays Chips, Planters Products, etc. We will not miss our favorite American foods when we retire in the Philippines!
People who retire in the Philippines find the living standards just fine. The lifestyle is perfectly in tune with the requirements of the retirement crowd, with all the peace and quiet one could ask for, and/or the excitement when desired.
Let me end this post with a video. Tell me, are we dreaming or what???
Watch in full screen!
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