Bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east and the South China Sea to the west, the Philippines is made up of over 7000 individual islands, most of which are too small to be inhabited or even to be given an official name. It is the ten largest islands that make up the overwhelming majority of the land area. These stunning and diverse islands are host to an extraordinary range of landscapes and habitats, including spectacular mountains and smouldering volcanoes, tropical rain forests containing a wealth of flora and fauna, a multitude of rivers and lakes, unspoilt coral reefs and marine life and some of the world's most idyllic and unspoilt beaches. The welcome and hospitality of the Filipino people is legendary, and their cultural and ethnic diversity creates a rich tapestry of customs, festivals and dialects.