Philippines
Philippines
- Capital
- Manila
- Population
- 109,581,085
- Region
- Asia
- Languages
- English
This archipelago is home to the world's most expensive seashell, the Conus gloriamaris, which was once so rare it was stolen from museums and faked by collectors. The country also pioneered the commercialization of the vibrant fiber known as piña, which is a delicate fabric meticulously woven from the leaves of a specific type of red Spanish pineapple. Furthermore, the local Jeepney culture evolved from abandoned surplus military vehicles left behind after World War II into a unique form of flamboyant, motorized street art.
Currency
The official currency is the Philippine Peso, denoted by the ISO code PHP and the unique symbol ₱. Historically, the currency's name transitioned from the Spanish 'peso' to the Filipino 'piso' in 1967 as part of a nationalistic effort to promote the local language on banknotes and coins. Before the arrival of Europeans, early Filipinos used 'piloncitos,' small gold bits that are considered the earliest form of coinage in the archipelago.
Flag symbolism
The horizontal blue stripe represents peace and justice, while the red stripe stands for domestic valor and patriotism. A golden sun with eight rays occupies the white triangle, symbolizing the first eight provinces that rose in rebellion against Spanish colonial rule. Most uniquely, the flag is designed to be flown with the red stripe on top during times of war, making it one of the few national banners in the world that can signal a state of conflict through its orientation.
Emblem history
The coat of arms features a central shield divided into blue and red fields, reflecting the colors of the national flag. On the lower dexter side is a golden lion rampant, representing the Spanish influence during the colonial era, while the sinister side displays an American bald eagle to acknowledge the period of United States administration. These historic symbols surround a central sun, signifying the country's sovereignty and its journey through various stages of foreign rule toward full independence.