Looking at the Philippines’ geographical location in the world, it can be said that it is strategically

situated in a location for the country’s economic advantage and cultural growth. The Philippines is part
of the Asian continent in the south-east located in the western Pacific Ocean. The country has no land
boundaries but its neighboring countries are Taiwan in the north, China in the northwest, Vietnam in the
west, and Malaysia and Indonesia in the South.

Its nearness to the mainland Asia (known as Indonesia today) has led to the migration of the
Negritos, Malays, and Indonesians. These migrants have introduced a more advanced culture that was
practiced in the Philippines long before the Spaniards colonized the country.

Also, its close proximity to neighboring countries has led to established trade contracts with the
Chinese, Indian, Japanese, and Arab merchants and traders that were economically beneficial to the
Filipinos. Its strategic location in Asia have led the Philippines to become an important part of trade and
travel as globalization expands. International airlines and seafarers have stop overs in the country on
their way to different countries.

Its nearness to the Moluccas or the Spice Island have led to the Spaniards coming to the country
leading to the country’s Hispanization and Christianization and its strategic location in the South East
Asia, and its archipelagic characteristic with 7,107 islands, have led the United States to acquire the
Philippines from Spain enabling them to build and place military bases all over the country. With the
American military in the country, the Filipinos became supplier of raw materials, due to the country’s
abundant natural resources, making the Philippines a market for its manufactured products as well. also,
with the Spaniards and the Americans situated in country for a long time, they were able to introduce a
different culture that made our country the most westernized country in Asia and the center of the
blending of east and west cultures.

Because the country is situated near the equator, we experience different weather patterns in
the different parts of the country causing different plants and crops to grow. The tropical climate in the
country caused the country to have one of the richest biodiversity in the world. Most mountainous areas
and islands are covered in tropical rainforests that some are volcanic in origin and this is because our
country is part of the ring of fire. Hence, we experience seismic and volcanic activities. It is not only and
land resources that are thriving, but our maritime resources are thriving as well – we have one of the
deepest points in the world that contributes to the maritime biodiversity as well.

If we were to evaluate the nature of resources, the character of the people, and the socio-
economic activities in the country, we can conclude that these are greatly influenced by the location of
our country in the world. Many of our customs practiced today, industries, language, and writings were
derived from the influence of our neighboring countries as well as the colonizers that evaded our
country in the past.

Learning our history does not stop at knowing what happened in the past. We must be able to
understand what influenced the events in the past that led to our current situation and our location in
the world have greatly influenced those events. If we were to change something in our current situation,
we must know our geography. We should be able to understand how we can use our strategic location
to positively affect our people and the country’s growth as well. We must know our importance as to
why other countries are still trying to influence us today in all sorts of ways possible.