The Philippines is an archipelago, or chain of islands. It consists of more than 7,000 islands and islets. The 11 largest islands account for more than 90 percent of the total national land area. The two largest islands, Luzon and Mindanao, comprise more than 70 percent of the land area and contain more than 70 percent of the population. Luzon is the largest island in the northern part of the archipelago, while Mindanao is the major island of the southern part. Between them are most of the other islands. The westernmost islands are set apart, across the Sulu Sea. The distance from northern Luzon to southern Mindanao is about 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers); the east-west width extends as much as 300 miles (480 kilometers). The islands are located on the western margin of the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and are undergoing mountain building through volcanic activity. The islands therefore have some very rugged terrain, and there is a very limited amount of land suitable for agriculture.

COINS ARE ALL PICTURED THE SAME SIZE FOR CLARITY
SEE DESCRIPTION FOR SIZES