The Philippines, an archipelago situated in Southeast Asia between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Viet Nam, encompasses a total area of approximately 300,000 square kilometers, including both land and water. The country’s extensive coastline stretches over 36,289 kilometers. Politically, the Philippines does not share land borders, but it has maritime boundaries with Taiwan to the north, Viet Nam to the west, and Malaysia and Indonesia to the south. 

The nation is renowned for its rich cultural diversity, with major ethnic groups including Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Visayan, and Mindanaoan, alongside numerous indigenous communities. Predominantly Roman Catholic and Christians, the Philippines also has significant Muslim, Protestant, and indigenous faith communities. Traditional arts are vibrant, featuring folk dances such as Tinikling, traditional music, and crafts like weaving and basketry, with festivals such as Sinulog and Panagbenga being widely celebrated. Economically, agriculture plays a vital role, with rice, corn, coconut, and sugarcane cultivation, alongside fishing, forestry, and mining sectors. Tourism is a significant industry, drawing visitors to destinations like Boracay, Palawan, and Cebu. The country boasts diverse ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, mangroves, coral reefs, and volcanic mountains, situated within the Pacific Ring of Fire. Forest coverage stands at about 24%, although deforestation and land conversion are still an ongoing concern. The Philippines is home to several threatened species, such as the Philippine eagle Pithecophaga jefferyi, and the Apitong Dipterocarpus grandiflorus and many others. The significant threatened species is mitigated by establishing 109 protected areas, including seven ASEAN Heritage Parks and continually identify significant ecosystems with high biodiversity importance.

The Philippines is rich with biodiversity and home to approximately 755 bird species, 235 species of mammals, 118 species of frogs, and 377 species of reptiles. In addition, plant diversity is equally impressive, with an estimated 14,000 species, including approximately 15,500 categorized plants such as 3,600 trees, 2,200 shrubs, 4,500 herbs, 800 ferns, 1,300 orchids, 1,100 vines, and 2,000 grasses and sedges.

However, significant environmental challenges threaten this wealth of biodiversity. Forest cover has plummeted from around 70% in 1934 to approximately 24% by 2020, reflecting a dramatic loss of about 46% over the past century. Deforestation is driven by logging (both legal and illegal), agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development, which also contribute to habitat loss. Mining for minerals like gold, nickel, and copper exacerbates these issues, leading to further environmental degradation. Climate change, with altered rainfall patterns and increased extreme weather events, impacts forest health and biodiversity. The illegal wildlife trade poses additional threats, affecting numerous species and disrupting ecosystems. Despite efforts such as the National Greening Program and other conservation initiatives, the challenge of balancing economic development with environmental conservation remains a significant concern for the Philippines.

The Philippines boasts unparalleled marine biodiversity as situated within the Coral Triangle. It is home to 3,270 reef fish species and 579 coral species, representing around 60% of global coral diversity. The country’s marine environment supports around 30 species of dolphins and whales, including the Endangered Dugong Dugong dugon. The Philippines is also a critical habitat for sea turtles, hosting six of the world’s seven species: Green, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, Leatherback, Loggerhead, and Flatback Sea Turtle. In addition to this marine diversity, the nation features about 12 species of seagrass, 50 mangrove species, and more than 1,000 marine mollusk species, all of which play essential roles in coastal protection and the health of marine ecosystems. 

Despite its rich marine biodiversity, the Philippines faces severe threats from human activities. Overfishing, coral bleaching, and marine pollution degrade ecosystems. Coastal development and urban expansion cause habitat loss, while the illegal wildlife trade and climate change further endanger marine life. Conservation and protection efforts mostly focus on establishing protected areas such as Ramsar sites, MPAs and local conservation areas and the raise awareness programs to local communities.