113th Philippine Independence,

June 12, 2011 today is the 113th anniversary of the Philippines. As a Filipino-American how much do you know of your homeland, the Philippines...

Here are some facts that might help us all get closer to where we came from and tell us more who we are.

Philippines is officially called the Republic of the Philippines
An archipelago comprising 7,107 islands

Capital City: Manila
Divided into 3 major areas, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao

Population: 94 million, considered the 12th most populated land area in the world

Filipinos living abroad: 11 million

First Discovered: Ferdinand Magelland in 1521

Native languages: tagalog, cebuano, ilocano, hiligaynon, waray-warayReligion: 90% christian, 80% Roman Catholic

Literacy rate: 93.4%

Declared independence: June 12, 1898

National Motto: "Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Makakalikasan, at Makabansa" ("For God, People, Nature, and Country")

National Hero: Jose P. Rizal
National Anthem: Lupang Hinirang
National Sport: Arnis
National tree: Narra
National bird: Philippine Eagle
National Dance: Carinosa
National Animal: Carabao
National Fish: bangus (milk fish)
National Flower: Sampaguita
_________________________
references: Wilkipedia
photo credit: divergent's blog