Geography
The Philippine archipelago, 450 miles off the southeast coast of mainland China, comprises 7,107 islands, of which only about 1,000 are inhabited. With a land area of 115,830 sq. miles (about the size of Nevada), the topography is diverse with high mountains, volcanic landforms and extensive valleys and plateaus. The climate is tropical, with average temperature of 27C (82F). The time zone is eight hours in advance of the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Macro Economic Indicators
2000 Gross Domestic Product at Current Prices:  P3302.60 billion
2000 Gross National Product at Current Prices:    P3491.10 billion
GDP Growth Rate, 2nd Qtr 2001:  3.3%
GNP Growth Rate, 2nd Qtr 2001: 3.5%

Industry Contribution to Gross National Income (GNI):
   Services (trade, transportation, communication) - 43.2%
   Industry (manufacturing, construction, utilities) -32.5%
   Agriculture, Fishery & Forestry (rice, livestock) -18.8%

2000 Per Capita GNI, Purchasing Power Parity method: US$  4,220
2000 Per Capita GNI, PPA method, United States:        US$ 34,260

Current Exchange Rate, 5 October 2001: U.S.$1.00 = P51.52

Social Indicators
Population, 2000 (projected):  76.3 million
Average annual population growth, 2000-2005:  1.99%
Predominantly Christiam with about 82.9% Catholics and 4.6% Islam.
Poverty (% of population below national poverty line):  37%
Illiteracy (% of population age 15+):  5%
Life expetancy at birth (years):  69
Access to improved water source (% of population): 87%

Indicative Salaries at Small & Medium Enterprises, Oct. 2001 
Daily Minimum Wage at Metro Manila: P250.00 ($4.85)
Office clerk, two years experience, monthly: P8,000 ($156)
Accountant, two years experience, monthly: P12,000 ($233)
Office Manager, ten years experience, monthly: P20,000 ($389)

Indicative Prices, Oct. 2001
Average household (piped) water, per cubic meter: P2.76 ($0.054)
Average residential electricity, per kwh:  P5.29 ($0.103)
Premium gasoline, per liter:   P18.74 ($0.364)
Unleaded gasoline, per liter:  P18.08 ($0.351)
Diesel, per liter:                    P14.42 ($0.280)
One-bedroom condominium, furnished, monthly rate:  P18,000 ($349.38)
Four-star hotel accommodation with breakfast, daily rate:P3,350 ($65.00)
Big Mac Value Meal, with French fries and big Coke - $1.54
2000 Ford Expedition XLT: $32,125