Capital of Philippines: Manila — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Philippines is Manila. Philippines sits in Asia, has a population of 115,559,009, and uses the PHP. Official languages include Filipino, English.
Quick facts
- Capital: Manila
- Continent: Asia
- Population: ~115,559,009
- Area: 300,000 km²
- Population density: 385 people per km²
- Official languages: Filipino, English
- Currency: PHP
- ISO code: PH
How big is Philippines?
By population, Philippines ranks 13th in the world, holding roughly 1.45% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 72nd.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Philippines has 385 people per square kilometre, which is about 6.5 times the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Asia, Philippines is the 7th most populous country of 48.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Philippines in population are Egypt (110,990,103) and Ethiopia (123,379,924).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Italy (301,340 km²) and Oman (309,500 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Filipino is listed as an official language of Philippines alone, which is unusual — most official languages are shared across borders.
Philippines uses the PHP, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember Philippines
Manila is on the eastern shore of Manila Bay, on the island of Luzon in the north. For the flag, count it out: one sun, eight rays, three stars, three island groups.
The flag of Philippines: blue, red, white and yellow
🇵🇠The flag is two horizontal stripes, blue above red, with a white triangle by the flagpole holding a yellow sun with eight rays and a small yellow star in each corner. Blue stands for peace and justice, red for courage and the white triangle for equality. The sun's eight rays stand for the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain, and the three stars for Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
Region and neighbours
Philippines is an island country in Southeast Asia, an archipelago of about 7,641 islands in the western Pacific Ocean, grouped into Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. As an island country it has no land neighbours.
Three facts about Philippines
- The islands were named Las Islas Filipinas in honour of King Philip II of Spain.
- Mount Apo on Mindanao, 2,954 m high, is the highest mountain in the Philippines.
- Manila is one of the world's most densely populated cities proper.
Sources: Wikipedia: Philippines, Wikipedia: Flag of the Philippines, Wikipedia: Manila, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Philippines
- Asian capitals quiz — match Philippines to Manila
- Asian flags quiz — spot the Philippines flag among its neighbours
- Island nations quiz — Philippines is an island country
Philippines capital quiz
What is the capital of Philippines 🇵�
- Tokyo
- Bandar Seri Begawan
- Kathmandu
- Manila
Show answer
Manila
What is the capital of Japan 🇯🇵?
- Seoul
- Sana'a
- Tokyo
- Kathmandu
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Tokyo
What is the capital of Vietnam 🇻🇳?
- Ashgabat
- Astana
- Taipei
- Hanoi
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Hanoi
What is the capital of Iran 🇮🇷?
- Tehran
- Sana'a
- Beirut
- Malé
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Tehran
What is the capital of Turkey 🇹🇷?
- Pyongyang
- Phnom Penh
- Ankara
- Bandar Seri Begawan
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Ankara
Philippines is also in the Southeast Asia capitals quiz.
Philippines in Asia
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block Philippines belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Philippines.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Philippines?
The capital of Philippines is Manila.
What is the population of Philippines?
About 115,559,009, making it the 13th most populous country in the world.
How big is Philippines?
300,000 square kilometres, ranking 72nd by land area, at a density of 385 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Philippines use?
The PHP, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the Philippines flag?
The flag of Philippines is two horizontal stripes, blue above red, with a white triangle by the flagpole holding a yellow sun with eight rays and a small yellow star in each corner. Blue stands for peace and justice, red for courage and the white triangle for equality. The sun's eight rays stand for the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain, and the three stars for Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
Which countries border Philippines?
None. Philippines is an island country in Southeast Asia, an archipelago of about 7,641 islands in the western Pacific Ocean, grouped into Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, so it has no land borders with other countries.
How can I remember the capital of Philippines?
Manila is on the eastern shore of Manila Bay, on the island of Luzon in the north. For the flag, count it out: one sun, eight rays, three stars, three island groups.
More capitals to learn
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