Located in Southeast Asia, the Republic of the Philippines is comprised of over 7,000 islands. The first known inhabitants of these tropical islands migrated to the Philippines 30,000 years ago over land bridges that no longer exist today. Since then, the Philippines has undergone drastic changes due to large numbers of settlers and colonizers from abroad. For hundreds of years, the Philippines was under Spanish and then United States control. Spanish influence remains a large part of Filipino culture today. Finally, in 1935, the Philippines embarked on the path to independence. The past century has been a postcolonial roller coaster ride for the Philippines. Today, the Philippines' developing economy has sparked international interest and the country has been marked as having one of the most promising potentials for economic growth in the world. The History of the Philippines offers a comprehensive account of the Philippines and its struggle to discover a national identity. This volume is an excellent addition to any library; perfect for student and general readers.