Background



More than 7,100 islands make up the Philippines archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam. The third largest English speaking country in the world (behind the U.S. and the U.K.), the Philippines has a rich history combining Asian, European, and American influences. Ceded by Spain to the U.S. in 1898 following the Spanish-American War, the Philippines attained their independence in 1946 after being occupied by the Japanese in World War II. Today, the population of the Philippines exceeds 76 million people. Filipinos are a freedom-loving people, as evidenced by two recent peaceful, bloodless revolutions against what were perceived as corrupt governmental regimes.

In 2004, Americans adopted 196 children from the Philippines. In the Philippines there are more boys available for international adoption than there are girls, primarily because girls are responsible for taking care of aged parents in Filipino society.

Credits: The International Adoption Guidebook, © Mary M. Strickert