PHILIPPINESFacts at a glanceFull name: Republic of the Philippines
Population: 85.2 million (via UN, 2006)
Capital: Manila
Major languages: Filipino, English (both official)
Major religion: Christianity
Life expectancy: 68 years (men), 72 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Philippine peso = 100 centavos
GNI per capita: US $1,300 (World Bank, 2006) [Source: BBC News] The Philippines is made up of more than 7,000 islands, but the bulk of its fast-growing population lives on just 11 of them. The country is saddled with a large national debt and tens of millions of people live in poverty. The economy is heavily dependent on the billions of dollars sent home each year by the huge overseas workforce. The Philippines has the highest birth rate in Asia and forecasters say the population could double within three decades. There are many Filipino recipes from each region of the Philippines. The Ilocanos from the north are known for their pakbet - a simple, nutritious vegetable dish. While the Bicolanos are famous for their bicol express, a hot and spicy dish. Pork and chicken adobo is a dish that the Philippines are known for throughout the world. | 
