Final answer:
The Philippines is an Asian archipelago, consisting of over 7,100 islands, and fitting the definition of a set of closely grouped islands. It was a Spanish colony and is now home to over 90 million people.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Philippines is an Asian archipelago. An archipelago is defined as a set of closely grouped islands, and the Philippines meets this definition with more than 7,100 islands. The country is located on the eastern side of the Southeast Asian community and has a land area roughly the size of Arizona. It is noted for its significant number of volcanic peaks and expansive coastal waterways.
Historically, the Philippines was a Spanish colony, deriving its name from Spain's 16th-century King Philip II. After being a possession of the United States, the Philippines eventually gained independence. Today, with its strong cultural characteristics, high linguistic and religious diversity, and more than 90 million inhabitants, the Philippines stands out as a unique archipelago in Southeast Asia.