Philippines
Webpages concerning "Philippines"
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Wikipedia-Article "Philippines"
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| Motto: Maka-Diyos, Makatao, Makakalikasan, at Makabansa (Filipino: For the Love of God, People, Nature, and Country) | |||||
| Anthem: Lupang Hinirang (Chosen Land) | |||||
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| Capital | Manila |
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| Largest city | Quezon City (population) Davao City (area) |
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| Official languages | Filipino (Tagalog), English 1 | ||||
| Government | Democratic Unitary Republic Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Noli de Castro |
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| Independence - Declared - Recognized Constitutions - First Republic - Commonwealth and Third Republic - Second Republic - New Republic - Current |
From Spain and U.S. June 12, 1898 July 4, 1946 January 21, 1899 May 14, 1935 1943-1945 January 17, 1973 March 25, 1986 |
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| Area • Total • Water (%) |
300,000 km² (71st) 0.6% |
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| Population • July 2005 est. • 2000 census • Density |
87,857,473 (12th) 76,498,735 276/km² (27th) |
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| GDP (PPP) • Total • Per capita |
2005 estimate $409,445 million (25th) $4,770 (107th) |
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| HDI (2003) | 0.758 (84th) – medium | ||||
| Currency | Philippine peso (piso) (PHP) |
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| Time zone • Summer (DST) |
UTC +8 (UTC+8) (UTC) |
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| Internet TLD | .ph | ||||
| Calling code | +63 |
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| 1 Under the Constitution of 1987, the national language is Filipino while the official languages are Filipino and English.
The regional languages Cebuano, Ilokano, Hiligaynon, Bikol, Waray-Waray, Kapampangan, Pangasinan, Kinaray-a, Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug are the auxiliary official languages in their respective regions. |
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The Republic of the Philippines (Filipino: Republika ng Pilipinas), or the Philippines (Filipino: Pilipinas), is a nation in Southeast Asia with Manila as its capital. It lies 1,210 km (750 mi) away from mainland Asia and consists of 7,107 islands called the Philippine Archipelago. It is also part of the Malay Archipelago. It is, with East Timor, one of the two predominantly Catholic nations in Southeast Asia and one of the most westernized, a unique blend of East and West. Spain and the United States have held the Philippine Islands as a colony for most of the last four centuries. While still predominantly an agricultural nation, the Philippines today is a premier destination for outsourcing, an exporter of electronics and agricultural products, and is a major source of exported labor. Remittances from overseas Filipinos forms a significant portion of the country's gross national product.
The country's name originated with Ruy López de Villalobos naming both the islands of Samar and Leyte, Las Islas Filipinas after King Philip II of Spain during his failed expedition in 1543. The archipelago was known under various names such as Spanish East Indies, New Castille (Nueva Castilla), Western Islands (Islas del Poniente), the St. Lazarus Islands (Islas de San Lázaro) and others. Ultimately, Filipinas came to refer to the entire archipelago.
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History
- Main article: History of the Philippines
Archeological and paleontological evidence, prove that Homo sapiens existed in Palawan probably about 50,000 years ago. These inhabitants are called the Tabon Man.
Thousands of years later, waves of Austronesian-speaking migrants - the ancestors of today's mainstream ethnic Filipinos - crossed from neighboring Indonesia and through Southern China via Taiwan. Ethnic Chinese merchants arrived in the 8th century.
Ferdinand Magellan first set foot in the archipelago in 1521. After establishing friendly relations with some local chieftains and converting them to Christianity, Magellan got into a conflict with one of the chieftains still hostile to him, Lapu-Lapu. In the ensuing battle, the Spaniards were defeated and Magellan killed, but one of his ships was able to return to Spain and bring the news about this new land. On April 27, 1565, the Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi and 500 armed soldiers came to Cebu and established the first Spanish settlement on the islands.
Augustinians and Franciscans,followed later by the Jesuits, Dominicans, and Recollects, marched with soldiers from island to island, in search of native villages and people. The Spaniards soon established churches and forts, while searching for gold and spices. Roman Catholicism was introduced and embraced by the majority. Sporadic rebellions occurred from tribal groups in the highlands of north Luzon and coastal regions. Muslim belligerents maintained resistance in the southern islands of Mindanao. The Spanish military fought-off Chinese pirates, Japanese and Portuguese, Dutch and British forces, all of whom also had an interest in the Philippines.
The Philippines was ruled from New Spain (Mexico) until the opening of the Suez Canal and Mexican independence. A burgeoning Manila Galleon or Manila-Acapulco galleon trade began in the late 16th century.
In 1781, Governor José Basco y Vargas established the Economic Society of Friends of the Country. The Philippines was administered directly from Spain. Developments in and out of the country and the opening up of the Suez Canal in 1869, which helped cut travel time to Spain and helped bring new ideas to the Philippines. This prompted the rise of the ilustrados, or the enlightened Filipino upper middle class. Many young Filipinos were thus able to study in Europe.
Enlightened by the Propaganda Movement to the injustices of the Spanish colonial government and the frailocracy, they originally clamored for adequate representation to the Spanish Cortes and later for independence. José Rizal, the most celebrated intellectual (and most controversial ilustrado), was executed in 1896 for treason as Rizal was implicated in the outbreak of the Revolution. The Katipunan, or the "Kataas-taasang Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga anak ng Inang Bayan" was founded by Andrés Bonifacio as its Supremo or leader. It was a secret society for the sole purpose of overthrowing Spanish rule in the Philippines. However, the society was discovered by Fr. Mariano Gil who broke his vow of confession and reported to the Spanish authorities the confession of a parishioner who was a sister of a Katipunero.(Honoria Patinio, the sister of Teodoro Patinio) The Philippine Revolution broke out. The Katipunan, meanwhile, was split into two groups, Magdiwang led by Andrés Bonifacio, and Magdalo led by Emilio Aguinaldo. The revolution ended in a truce with the Pact of Biak na Bato, where the revolutionaries capitulated and agreed to exile themselves in Hong Kong.
The United States and Spain became involved in the Spanish-American war in 1898. Emilio Aguinaldo was then lured back to the Philippines with a supposed promise of independence similar to Cuba, which was fighting a war of independence. Thus, on June 12, 1898, with victory seemingly attainable, Emilio Aguinaldo, leader of the revolutionaries, declared the independence of the Philippines in Kawit, Cavite. However, the Battle for Manila between Spain and the United States turned out to be a farce, which sought to exclude the Filipinos from the eventual occupation of Manila. Spain and the United States ignored the Filipino representative, Felipe Agoncillo, during their negotiations in the Treaty of Paris. Spain was forced in the negotiations to hand over Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico to the United States in exchange for US$20,000,000.00, which payment the United States later claimed to be a gift to Spain. The first Philippine Republic rebelled against the US occupation and this resulted in the Philippine-American War (1899-1913). It came under U.S. control and in 1935, its status was upgraded to that of a U.S. Commonwealth. Independence for the Philippines was finally granted on July 4, 1946, after the Japanese invasion and occupation of the islands during World War II.
The Philippines has faced some degree of economic and political instability after 1946. The restive Hukbalahaps, guerillas who fought against the Japanese during World War II, turned communistic in ideology. They organized clandestinely, mounted anti-government campaigns of sedition and open hostilities against government forces, and conducted terroristic activities, including kidnappings, massacres, assassinations, rapes and extortion. They threatened the countryside, and subsequently the capital, Quezon City, and Manila in the '50's. The Huk threat was eventually broken with the surrender of Luis Taruc, the Huk Supremo, to a young reporter named Benigno Aquino Jr. (later elected as Senator), and Secretary of Defense Ramón Magsaysay, who would eventually become president. The late '60's and early '70's saw the rise of student activism, and anti-American demonstrations. Furthermore, a Constitutional Convention composed of elected delegates drafted a new constitution to replace the 1935 Constitution in a referendum. This period was marred by civil unrest and exposés on corruption until the declaration of martial law on September 21, 1972. The new constitution was subsequently enforced through somewhat questionable means, as challenges were made in the Supreme Court on the propriety of its ratification. This eventually culminated in the resignation of Chief Justice Roberto Concepción. The situation appeared to ebb until the later years when the authoritarian regime of President Ferdinand E. Marcos became marred with unmitigated, pervasive corruption and despotism, at which time public outcry and dissidence resurged to new highs.
In 1986, Marcos, his family and some cronies left the Philippines and went to exile to Hawaii, as Corazon Aquino, widow of assassinated Sen. Benigno Aquino, assumed the reins of government in the aftermath of a hotly-contested "snap elections". While some cite a return to democracy and governmental reform in the Post-Marcos era, systemic government corruption, continuing civil unrest and the activity of Communist insurgency and Muslim separatist movements continue to hamper economic productivity in the country. The country has seen two Presidential crises during this time, the most recent being the 2005 Philippine electoral crisis.
Politics and Government
- Main article: Politics of the Philippines
The government of the Philippines is loosely patterned after the U.S. government. It is organized as a representative republic, where the President functions as head of state, the head of government, and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The president is elected by popular vote to a term of 6 years, during which he or she appoints and presides over the cabinet. The bicameral legislature, the Congress, consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives; members of the former are nationally elected and those of the latter by district. There are 24 senators serving 6 years in the Senate ( in staggered batches of 12 every 3 years, while the House of Representatives consists of no more than 250 congressmen each serving 3-year terms. The judiciary branch of the government is headed by the Supreme Court, which has a Chief Justice as its head and 14 Associate Justices, all of whom the President appoints from nominations submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council.
The Philippines is a founding and active member of the United Nations (UN) since its inception on October 24, 1945 and is a founding and prominent member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), an active player in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Latin Union and a member of the Group of 24. The Philippines is a major non-NATO ally of the United States, but also a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
The Philippines is currently in a dispute with the Republic of China (Taiwan), the People's Republic of China, Vietnam and Malaysia over the oil- and natural gas-rich Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal, and with Malaysia over Sabah. The Sultan of Sulu, who received Sabah as a gift in 1703 after having helped the Sultan of Brunei defeat a rebellion, has given the Philippine Government power to reclaim his lost territory. To this day, the Sultan of Sulu's family still receives "rental" payments for Sabah from the Malaysian Government.
Geography
- Main article: Geography of the Philippines
The Philippines constitutes an archipelago of 7,107 islands with a total land area of approximately 300,000 km². It lies between 116° 40' and 126° 34' E. longitude, and 4° 40' and 21° 10' N. latitude, and is bordered on the east by the Philippine Sea, on the west by the South China Sea, and on the south by the Celebes Sea. The island of Borneo lies a few hundred kilometers to the southwest and Taiwan directly north. The Moluccas and Celebes are farther south, and on the eastern side of the Philippine Sea is Palau.
The islands are commonly divided into three major groups: Luzon (Regions I to V, NCR & CAR), Visayas (VI to VIII), and Mindanao (IX to XIII & ARMM). The busy port of Manila, on Luzon, is the country's capital and second-largest city after Quezon City.
The local climate is hot, humid, and tropical. The average yearly temperature is around 26.5°C. There are three recognized seasons: Tag-init or Tag-araw (the hot season or summer from March to May), Tag-ulan (the rainy season from June to November), and Taglamig (the cold season from December to February). The southwest monsoon (May-October) is known as the "Habagat" and the dry winds of the northeast monsoon (November-April) as the "Amihan".
Most of the mountainous islands used to be covered in tropical rainforests and are volcanic in origin. The highest point is Mount Apo on Mindanao at 2,954 m. Many volcanoes in the country, such as Mayon Volcano, Mount Pinatubo ,and Taal Volcano are active. The country is also astride the typhoon belt of the Western Pacific and about 19 typhoons strike per year.
Lying on the northwestern fringes of the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activities. Some 20 earthquakes are registered daily in the Philippines, though they are too weak to be felt.
- See also: Ecoregions of the Philippines
Administrative divisions
- Main articles: Provinces of the Philippines, Regions of the Philippines
The Philippines is divided into a hierarchy of local government units (LGUs) with the province as the primary unit. There are 79 provinces in the country. Provinces are further subdivided into cities and municipalities, which are in turn composed of barangays. The barangay is the smallest local government unit.
The Philippines is divided into 17 regions with all provinces grouped into one of 16 regions for administrative convenience. The National Capital Region however, is divided into four special districts.
Most government offices establish regional offices to serve the constituent provinces. The regions themselves do not possess a separate local government, with the exception of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which is autonomous.
Go to the articles on the regions and provinces to see a larger map showing the locations of the regions and provinces.
Regions
- Ilocos Region (Region I)
- Cagayan Valley (Region II)
- Central Luzon (Region III)
- CALABARZON (Region IV-A) ¹ ²
- MIMAROPA (Region IV-B) ¹ ²
- Bicol Region (Region V)
- Western Visayas (Region VI)
- Central Visayas (Region VII)
- Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)
- Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX)
- Northern Mindanao (Region X)
- Davao Region (Region XI)
- SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII) ¹
- Caraga (Region XIII)
- Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
- Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
- National Capital Region (NCR) (Metro Manila)
¹ Names are capitalized because they are acronyms, containing the names of the constituent provinces or cities (see Acronyms in the Philippines).
² These regions formed the former Southern Tagalog region, or Region IV.
Economy
- Main article: Economy of the Philippines
The Philippines is classified as a developing country. Although agricultural in nature, light industry and services have made great inroads ino the country. The Philippines has a nominal GDP of 86,429, and ranked 46th out of 184 countries and 15th among Asian countries.
The country, often called as the New Tiger of Asia, experienced slow economic growth during the climax of the Asian financial crisis of 1998. This was coupled by rising prices, inflation, and poor weather conditions. Economic growth fell to 0.6% in 1998 from 5% in 1997, but recovered to about 3% in 1999 and 4% in 2000. The government has promised to continue its economic reforms to help match the pace of development in the newly industrialised countries of East Asia. Heavy debts (public debt at 77% of GDP), is hampering efforts to improve the economic situation. Budget allocation for servicing of debt is higher than the budget for education and defense combined.
The government's strategy for an economic revamp includes improving infrastructure, overhauling the tax system to bolster government revenues, furthering deregulation and privatisation of the economy, and increasing trade integration with the region. Prospects for the future depend heavily on the economic performance of the two major trading partners, the United States and Japan, and a more accountable administration and consistent government policies.
In recent years, numerous call centers and business process outsourcing (BPO) firms have migrated to the Philippines, generating thousands of jobs and improving their services with many clients, including Fortune 500 companies. The Philippines has one of the most vibrant BPO industries in Asia today. The Philippine peso was hailed by Forbes as Asia's best performing currency for 2005. A new expanded value added tax (E-VAT) law was instituted on November 1, 2005, a measure intended to cut the rising foreign debts of the Philippines and to improve government services such as education, health, social welfare, and road construction.
The Philippines is a member of the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, as well as other international economic associations, such as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Colombo Plan, and the G-77.
Demographics
- Main article: Demographics of the Philippines
- Main article: Ethnic Groups of the Philippines
The Philippines is the world's twelfth most populous country, with a population of 86,241,697 as of 2005. Roughly two-thirds reside in the island of Luzon. Manila, the capital, is the eleventh most populous metropolitan area in the world. The educational system is efficient and based on the United States curriculum. The literacy rate is 95.9%, about equal for males and females. Life expectancy is 69.29 years, with 72.28 years for females and 66.44 years for males. Population growth per year is about 1.92%, with 26.3 births per 1000 people. In the 100 years since the 1903 Census, the population has grown by a factor of eleven. The country suffers from overpopulation due to a high birth rate.
The people of the Philippines are collectively known as Filipinos. Colloquially, Filipinos may refer to themselves as Pinoy (feminine: Pinay). According to current Philippine government statistics and genetic researches, about 95% of all Filipinos are descendants of various Austronesian-speaking immigrants who arrived in successive waves over a thousand years ago, and of the various Southern Han Chinese groups who settled in the Philippines. Filipinos are divided into 12 major linguistic groups, namely the the Tagalogs, Cebuanos, Ilocanos, Ilonggos, Bicolanos, Pampangos, Pangasinenses, Karay-as, Warays, Maranaos, Maguindanaos, and Tausugs, and then numerous other smaller groups. The Negritos or Aetas, also known as the aboriginal inhabitants of the Philippines, were largely displaced by the invading Austronesian-speaking migrants, and today number less than 30,000 people (0.03%). Spanish-Filipinos, or Mestizos, form 3.6% of the population.
The largest minority of foreign nationality groups in the country are the ethnic Chinese (3%). The remaining population consists of other smaller foreign nationality groups, including Americans,Canadians, Spaniards and other Europeans, Mexicans and other Latin Americans, Arabs, South Asians, Indonesians, Koreans, Japanese, Vietnamese, and other Asian immigrants.
Because of the vast number of native ethnolinguistic groups, the Philippines is said to be one of the most ethnically diverse countries in Asia. In recent decades, the government has worked to make the country more culturally homogeneous. However, there has been notable resistance among the various ethno-linguistic groups trying to preserve their unique cultural and linguistic identities. These are a source of immense pride for many people within the Republic of the Philippines; many are against what are perceived as attempts by certain Filipino nationalists to erradicate cultural diversity in place of a homogenous, Tagalog-dominated "nationalistic" Filipino identity. A recent manifestation of this can be seen in the complaints of many provinces that "Imperial Manila" dominates, oppresses, and exploits the people and resources of the rest of the country.
Languages
- Main article: Languages of the Philippines
More than 170 languages are spoken; almost all of them belong to the Western Malayo-Polynesian language group of the Austronesian language family. According to the 1987 Constitution, Tagalog-based Filipino and English are the official languages.
There are 12 native regional languages and are the auxiliary languages of their respective regions, each with over one million speakers: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilokano, Hiligaynon, Waray-Waray, Bikol, Kapampangan, Pangasinan, Kinaray-a, Maranao, Maguindanao, and Tausug.
Other major foreign languages spoken include Spanish, Hokkien, Cantonese, Indonesian, Sindhi, Punjabi, Korean, and Arabic.
Religion
- Main article: Religion in the Philippines
The Philippines is the fourth largest Roman Catholic country, the thirteenth largest Protestant country, the fortieth largest Islamic country, the seventh largest Hindu country, and the seventeenth largest Buddhist country.
About 94 % of all Filipinos are Christians. 83 % belong to the Roman Catholic Church.The other 9 % belonging to various Protestant denominations. Although Christianity is a major force in the culture of the Filipinos, many, however, still practice local traditions and rituals.
The Roman Catholic church exerts considerable influence in both governmental and non-governmental affairs, although a constitutional provision for the separation of Church and State exists. The Philippines currently has two cardinals, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and Jose Cardinal Sanchez. The late Jaime Cardinal Sin was a leading spiritual leader in the country and was an active participant in People Power I and People Power II. He died on June 21, 2005. Cardinal Vidal is the archbishop of Cebu. Cardinal Sanchez is the former Prefect of Congregation of the Clergy, Roman Curia. Gaudencio Borbon Rosales serves as the archbishop of Manila. The most famous cathedral is the huge Manila Cathedral.
The various Protestant denominations are linked with North American churches and there is a significant presence of American missionaries. Two Filipino independent Christian churches were organized at the turn of the century and are prominent today. These are the Aglipayans (Philippine Independent Church) and the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) founded in 1902 and 1914, respectively.
5% of all Filipinos are Muslim. Most lowland Muslim Filipinos practice normative Islam, although the practices of some Mindanao's hilltribe Muslims reflect a fusion with Animism. The presence of radical Muslims has lead to significant terrorist activity in the country.
Culture
- Main article: Culture of the Philippines
- See also: Philippine Society
The culture of the Philippines historically was first influenced by Spanish, Chinese, American, Arabic, and Malay influences.
The Hispanic influences in local culture are largely derived from the culture of Spain with over three hundred years of colonial rule. Hispanic influences are visible in the form of customs and practices relating to the Catholic church (especially religious festivals) and in local cuisine. Each year, locals from around the archipelago hold major festivities known as Barrio Fiesta, which commemorates the patron saints of a town, a village or a regional district. The festivities are celebrated with church ceremonies, street parades in honor of the patron saints, fireworks, beauty pageants and dance contests for the old and new generation, and cockfighting tournaments.
Like Spanish influences, Chinese influences in Filipino culture can also be seen in Filipino cuisine. Examples are noodles, known locally as pancit or mami, as well as a few meat dishes.
American cultural influence in the Philippines can be seen through the widespread use of (American) English, as well as in the keenness of sport-- especially in Basketball. In fact, basketball is the most popular sport in the country, whether it may be at the community level or at the professional level. The NBA players are emulated and are closely watched in ESPN and in other cable networks. Other notable sports include boxing, swimming, and all types of Martial Arts.
The Philippines has produced notable and revered international sporting figures. These include professional boxer Manny Pacquiao, 9-ball billiard champion Efren Reyes, Chess grandmaster Eugene Torre and bowler Paeng Nepumuceno.
Another obvious United States influence is the popularity of fastfood. Besides the popular American giants like McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Burger King, KFC, Kenny Rogers Roasters, Wendy's, Shakey's, Carl's Jr., native fastfood chains have also been growing. Names like Jollibee, Greenwich Pizza, Chowking, and Max's Fried Chicken, are popular among others. Filipinos love to listen, sing, and dance to OPM (Original Pilipino Music) and the latest U.S. and European singles, watch American film, and apart from local artists and sporting heroes like gossiping about American (Hollywood) actors and actresses.
The Philippines can also boast about its shopping malls, which are one of the largest in the world. The SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City is the third largest mall in the world. Other malls include those of Ayala Land.
Despite all these foreign influences, the Filipino character still remains intact. A testimony to living Filipino culture are the diesel-powered Jeepneys-- renovated relics of WWII, which are standard mode of public transportation in urban and rural areas (save for the superhighways which are dominated by public buses, taxi cabs, and now the MRT). Locals honor national heroes (patriots) as opposed to saints, whose works and deeds contributed to shaping the Filipino identity, nationalism, and independence. José Rizal is the most celebrated ilustrado, a visionary whose writings created a national identity and awareness. His novels Noli me Tangere (Touch me not) and El Filibusterismo (The rebellion)-- required academic reading in local secondary schools, provide vignettes of colonial life under Spanish rule. They give a sense of a Filipino experience and a historical continuity. Andrés Bonifacio who founded the pro-independence Katipunan movement helped end Spanish rule. Disputes exist about whether he, not Rizal, should be the national hero. Manuel L. Quezon, (The capital is named after him), is the famous president who finally acquired Philippine Independence. Ninoy Aquino, a senator assassinated in 1983, is highly revered as the martyr of the 1986 People Power revolution.
Telephone Area Code Listing
- Main article: List of Telephone Area Code in the Philippines
Postal ZIP Code Listing
- Main article: List of ZIP Codes in the Philippines
See also
- Main article: List of Philippine-related topics
- Filipino Martial Arts
- Communications in the Philippines
- Filipino Cuisine
- Holidays in the Philippines
- List of Philippine companies
- Military of the Philippines
- Military history of the Philippines
- Philippine landmarks
- Transportation in the Philippines
- Filipino-American
- Overseas Filipinos
External links
- Official
- Official website of the Philippine Government - Gateway to governmental sites
- Supreme Court
- Department of Foreign Affairs
- Department of Tourism
- Department of Trade and Industry
- Other
- Travel guide to Philippines from Wikitravel
- Wikicities has a wiki about philippines: Philippines
- Country Profile: Philippines — BBC's Country Profile on The Philippines
- CIA World Factbook— CIAWorld Factbook on the Philippines
| Countries in Southeast Asia |
|---|
| Brunei | Cambodia | East Timor | Indonesia | Laos | Malaysia | Myanmar | Philippines | Singapore | Thailand | Vietnam |
| UN Security Council Members |  |
|---|---|
| Permanent Members | |
| China - France - Russia - United Kingdom - United States | |
| Term ending December 31, 2005 | |
| Algeria - Benin - Brazil - Philippines - Romania | |
| Term ending December 31, 2006 | |
| Argentina - Denmark - Greece - Japan - Tanzania | |
| Countries in Asia |
|
Afghanistan | Armenia1 | Azerbaijan1 | Bahrain | Bangladesh | Bhutan | Brunei | Cambodia | People's Republic of China | Republic of China (Taiwan)2 | Cyprus1 | East Timor | Egypt | Gaza Strip4 | Georgia1 | Hong Kong3 | India | Indonesia | Iran | Iraq | Israel | Japan | Jordan | Kazakhstan1 | Kuwait | Kyrgyzstan | Laos | Lebanon | Macau3 | Malaysia | Maldives | Mongolia | Myanmar | Nepal | North Korea | Oman | Pakistan | Philippines | Qatar | Russia1 | Saudi Arabia | Singapore | South Korea | Sri Lanka | Syria | Tajikistan | Thailand | Turkey1 | Turkmenistan | United Arab Emirates | Uzbekistan | Vietnam | West Bank4 | Yemen |
| 1. Usually assigned to Asia geographically, but nonetheless often thought of as European for cultural and historical reasons.
2. See political status of Taiwan 3. Special administrative regions of the PRC. 4. Israel-controlled territories governed by the Palestinian Authority. |