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The Philippine Islands – Wonders of Philippines

October 29, 2009 by Asia Travel Wanderer

The Philippines is an archipelago of islands that lie in Southeast Asia. It is one of the most recognizable landforms in the entire world. Being an archipelago, the Philippine islands are known for its glorious white sand beaches that attract tourists from all over the world each year.

The Philippines is also home to a people with diverse cultures and traditions.

Pre-Historic Philippines

The Philippines is believed to have been populated for thousands and thousands of years. Her residents arrived in the islands form neighboring Asian regions as well as those who have travelled from distant far distant regions of the globe. Fossil evidence suggests that life in the archipelago existed as far as the stone-age. The most compelling evidence to this front is the discovery of the 22,000 year old fossil skull cap of a stone-age man found inside a cave in Palawan.

Soon thereafter the Negrito (ethnic groups located all over Asia) arrived in the region. Today, ancestors of these ethnic groups still thrive in the Philippines and a few tribes still continue to live the way that they have always done for thousands and thousands of years.

These early residents proceeded to trade with neighboring countries such as China, Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia. This resulted in the inevitable intermingling of races which continued on the years, giving birth to the Filipino people as they are known today.

The Spanish Rule

Ferdinand Magellan is a name known to the Filipino nation. The reason for that is the fact that Magellan was one of the very first explorers to reach the archipelago and helped opened the way for Spain to integrate itself and to make a colony out of country. The Spaniards had control over the Philippines for 333 years. This long period of Spanish rule left an indelible mark on the culture and religion of her people.