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Philippines The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence.
Location:Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam Geographic coordinates:13 00 N, 122 00 E Map references:Southeast Asia Area:total: 300,000 sq km land: 298,170 sq km water: 1,830 sq km Area – comparative:slightly larger than Arizona Land boundaries:0 km Coastline:36,289 km Geography – note:the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands; favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia’s main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait
Population:96,061,680 (July 2008 est. ) Government type:republic Capital:name: Manila geographic coordinates: 14 35 N, 121 00 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Spain Spain’s powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39).
Location:Southwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains, southwest of France Geographic coordinates:40 00 N, 4 00 W Map references:Europe Area:total: 504,782 sq km land: 499,542 sq km water: 5,240 sq km note: there are two autonomous cities – Ceuta and Melilla – and 17 autonomous communities including Balearic Islands and Canary Islands, and three small Spanish possessions off the coast of Morocco – Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera Area – comparative:slightly more than twice the size of Oregon Land boundaries:total: 1,917. km border countries: Andorra 63. 7 km, France 623 km, Gibraltar 1. 2 km, Portugal 1,214 km, Morocco (Ceuta) 6. 3 km, Morocco (Melilla) 9. 6 km Coastline:4,964 km Geography – note:strategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar Population:40,491,052 (July 2008 est. ) Government type:parliamentary monarchy Capital:name: Madrid geographic coordinates: 40 24 N, 3 41 W time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: Spain is divided into two time zones including the Canary Islands