The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. It is situated in the western Pacific Ocean, and consists of about 7,640 islands, that are broadly categorized under three main geographical divisions from north to south: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

What does the word Philippines mean?

A country of eastern Asia consisting of the Philippine Islands, an archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean southeast of China. ... The Philippine Islands, an archipelago in Southeast Asia, that forms the basis of the Philippine republic.

Why is it called the Philippines?

The Philippines are named after King Philip II (1527-1598) of Spain. The country was discovered by the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 (while in Spanish service). Later tension arose between Portugal and Spain and in 1542 Spain re-claimed the islands for themselves, naming them after its then king.