Philippines or the Republic of the Philippines (Tagalog: Republika ng Pilipinas) is a republic in Southeast Asia, northern Indonesia, and Malaysia. The Philippines is an island nation located in the Western Pacific Rim, this country consists of 7,641 islands. For thousands of years, the citizens of the Philippine archipelago, and these hard workers, have developed a highly developed rice cultivation system that provides staple food for their communities.

The Philippines was the most developed country in Asia after World War II, but has since been lagging behind other countries due to weak economic growth, confiscation of wealth by the government, widespread corruption, and neo-colonial influences. However, at present the Philippines is experiencing moderate economic growth, which is largely contributed by remittances by Filipino workers abroad, and the rapidly growing information technology sector. The Philippines is often considered the only country in the Asian Continent where the influence of Western culture is very strong.

The country's major problems include the Bangsamoro separatist movement in the south of the Philippines, namely in the Mindanao region, rebels from the communist New People's Army in rural areas, government policies that are often inconsistent, the level of government increasing crime, and environmental damage such as deforestation and marine pollution. The Philippines is also experiencing problems with large populations in urban areas due to lack of employment in rural areas, and high birth rates.