Histrica
🇵🇭

Southeast Asia

Philippines

Three centuries of Spain, half a century of America, and vibrant island cultures.

Overview

Precolonial Philippine polities engaged in trade with China and Southeast Asia before Ferdinand Magellan arrived in 1521. Spanish rule (1565 – 1898) was followed by American colonial administration until 1946.

Basic Information

CapitalManila
Population117 million
Area300,000 km²
CurrencyPhilippine peso (PHP)
LanguagesFilipino, English
RegionSoutheast Asia

History Timeline

  1. 1521Magellan reaches the archipelago
  2. 1565Spanish colonization begins
  3. 1898American takeover after Spanish-American War
  4. 1946Independence
  5. 1986People Power Revolution

Ancient Peoples

  • Austronesians
  • Negrito peoples

Ancient Kingdoms

  • Sultanate of Sulu
  • Tondo
  • Cebu

Empires

  • Spanish Empire
  • United States (colonial)

Religions

  • Roman Catholicism
  • Islam

Culture

Jeepneys, karaoke, bayanihan traditions, Filipino literature in Spanish and English.

Language

Filipino (Tagalog-based) and English are official.

Important Battles

  • Battle of Mactan1521

    Lapu-Lapu kills Magellan

  • Battle of Manila Bay1898

    US destroys Spanish fleet

Historical Figures

José Rizal
1861 – 1896

National hero

Emilio Aguinaldo
1899 – 1901

First president

Archaeological Sites

  • Tabon Caves
  • Callao Cave

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

  • Baroque Churches of the Philippines
  • Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras
  • Vigan

Dynasties

  • Sulu sultans

Colonial Period

Spanish (1565 – 1898), American (1898 – 1946).

Modern History

Presidential republic; ASEAN founder.