The Philippines consist of a group of 7107 islands, whose northern Luzon and Southern Mindanao are the two largest. Not all located in Southeast Asia, islands have a name and about 1000 islands are inhabited by some 87 million inhabitants. On the island of Luzon is the capital Manila, where 1.6 million people live and live. Most of the islands are mountainous with a narrow coast. The volcano Mount Apo is so, n 2950 meters the highest point. The archipelago is located on the east side enclosed by the Philippine Sea on the west and the South Chinese Sea. The nearest neighbours are from top to bottom: Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. In the Philippines reigns and tropical climate with wet summers and dry winters. The 300-year-long domination of the Spaniards was adopted by the Spanish American War lifted, then attacked the Americans inside the country. Ultimately, the Philippines only in 1946 became formally independent. After the dictatorship from 1972 to 1986, led by President Marcos, turned back democracy and the country became a republic. Impact come back strong in the Filipino culture. For example, the English as a second official language. Places are the Banaue rice terraces in Ifugao province, the Marienpark of-the Tubbataha reefs, the historic centre of Vigan City (Spanish colonial architecture in Asia), the National Park St Paul's Subterranean River known for his 8-kilometer long underground river navigable and the Baroque churches of the Philippines. The most famous are the San Agustin Church in Manila, La Asuncion in Santa Maria, Santo Tomas in Miage-ao Paoay, Ilocos Norte and the Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.