Philippines

[fil-uh-peenz, fil-uh-peenz] /ˈfɪl əˌpinz, ˌfɪl əˈpinz/

noun, (used with a plural verb)
1.
an archipelago of 7083 islands in the Pacific, SE of China: formerly (1898–1946) under the guardianship of the U.S.; now an independent republic. 114,830 sq. mi. (297,410 sq. km).
Capital: Manila.
/ˈfɪlɪˌpiːnz; ˌfɪlɪˈpiːnz/
noun
1.
(functioning as sing) Republic of the Philippines, a republic in SE Asia, occupying an archipelago of about 7100 islands (including Luzon, Mindanao, Samar, and Negros): became a Spanish colony in 1571 but ceded to the US in 1898 after the Spanish-American War; gained independence in 1946. The islands are generally mountainous and volcanic. Official languages: Filipino, based on Tagalog, and English. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: peso. Capital: Manila. Pop: 105 720 644 (2013 est). Area: 300 076 sq km (115 860 sq miles) related word Filipino

from Spanish Islas Filipinas, literally “the islands of Philip,” named for Philip II, king of Spain. Related: Philippine.

Republic in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, comprising over seven thousand islands. Its capital and largest city is Manila.

Note: The Spanish held control of the islands until 1898, when they were transferred to the United States after the Spanish-American War.

Note: Named for Philip II, king of Spain during the sixteenth century.

Note: Occupied by the Japanese during World War II, the islands were liberated by Allied troops under General Douglas MacArthur.

Note: Although Philippine independence had long been an important political issue, the country did not gain full independence until 1946.

Note: The country was under the virtual dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos from 1965 until 1986, when he was forced into exile in the United States.

Note: It continues to be plagued by allegations of corruption in high places and by a Muslim insurgency.