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I’ve been thinking a lot recently of WVKayaker lately and low and behold this sows up

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15 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About the Philippines

1. The Philippines is the world’s second-largest archipelago, consisting of over 7,600 islands, with only about 2,000 of them inhabited.

2. Jeepneys, the country’s iconic mode of transportation, were originally made from U.S. military jeeps left behind after World War II.

3. The Taal Volcano, located on Luzon Island, is one of the world’s smallest active volcanoes but sits within a lake that itself has a smaller volcanic island.

4. The Philippine eagle, also known as the monkey-eating eagle, is one of the rarest and largest eagles in the world.

5. Banaue Rice Terraces, often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” were hand-carved into the mountains over 2,000 years ago by the Ifugao people.

6. The Philippines has the highest number of text messages sent per day globally, earning it the nickname “Text Capital of the World.”

7. It’s the only Asian country where Catholicism is the predominant religion, a legacy of over 300 years of Spanish colonization.

8. The country is home to the longest Christmas season in the world, starting as early as September and lasting until January.

9. Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak, is a dormant volcano and a popular trekking destination.

10. The world’s largest pearl, the “Pearl of Lao Tzu,” was discovered in the Philippines in the Palawan Sea.

11. Filipino cuisine uniquely blends Malay, Spanish, Chinese, and American influences, with dishes like adobo and sinigang being national favorites.

12. The Philippines has its own ancient script called Baybayin, which predates Spanish colonization and is now experiencing a revival.

13. The Chocolate Hills in Bohol, a geological formation of over 1,200 hills, turn brown during the dry season, resembling giant chocolate mounds.

14. The country is the largest exporter of tropical fruits like bananas and pineapples and is famous for its sweet mangoes.

15. The Philippine Tarsier, one of the smallest primates in the world, is native to the islands and is known for its enormous eyes.