In 1898, during the Spanish-American War, Filipinos established the basic flag in use today; it was officially adopted in 1936. The white triangle is for liberty. The golden sun and stars are for the three main areas of the Philippines: the Visayan Islands, Luzon, and Mindanao. The red color is for courage and the blue color is for sacrifice.

Philippines Official name: Republika ng Pilipinas (Pilipino); Republic of the Philippines (English). Form of government: unitary republic with two legislative houses (Senate [24]; House of Representatives [260]). Chief of state and head of government: President. Population (1998): 73,131,000. Population projection: (2000) 76,320,000; (2010) 91,851,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1997): 22.9 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (1996): U.S.$83,298,000,000 (U.S.$1,160 per capita).

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