Living in the Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelago in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific, north of Indonesia and east of Vietnam; around 106.7 million people live there. More than 7,000 islands shape the landscape, from densely populated plains and coasts to mountains, rainforests, and volcanoes. The tropical climate usually brings warm temperatures, a rainy season, and a drier season; typhoons particularly affect the north and east. In Manila and other major cities, many people live in densely built-up neighborhoods and use buses, jeepneys, or motorcycles. On smaller islands, boats, tricycles, and walking are more important. Work can be found in services, trade, agriculture, fishing, and industry; regional differences strongly shape housing, income, and leisure.