An archipelago blessed with a wealth of natural resources, a rich history and a unique culture. Its attractions are diverse - white sandy beaches, lush green forests, majestic mountain peaks, age-old structures, modern cities and rustic countryside.  

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, offers a combination of age-old traditions and modern-day attractions. Much of the original walled city still exists today, but other city 'draw cards' include nightclubs, restaurants and shopping. An hour flight from Manila, Cebu offers a variety of resorts - each with its own beach, recreational facilities and restaurants.  

In 1521 Ferdinand Magellan claimed the Philippines for Spain, which ceded the islands to the U.S. in 1898. Independence came in 1946, after Japanese occupation ended; the republic soon adopted a democratic system modeled on that of the United States. 

Widespread poverty and political corruption sparked social unrest during the 1970s, fueled by communist and Muslim insurgents. In 1986 President Ferdinand E. Marcos was compelled to hold an election. Despite his fraudulent claim to victory, Marcos was forced into exile, and Corazon Aquino, widow of a murdered opposition leader, became president. A survivor of seven coup attempts, Aquino chose not to run for another term in 1992, and her secretary of defense, Fidel Ramos, was elected president. 

Because a new treaty with the U.S. was rejected, Subic Bay Naval Base, one of the largest American bases overseas, is being converted into an industrial complex. Conservation measures in this population-burdened land include reforestation, a logging ban in some areas, and a debt-for-nature swap.