The booklet is primarily intended for tourists, but to all other foreigners seeking information on things Philippine, the booklet will also be of invaluable help. It not only indicates the places of interest throughout the archipelago but also gives a description of the islands in general, of their people, history and government. Tangible evidences of the readiness of the Filipinos for nationality are described. The history of the whole nationalistic movement is given. The Filipinos to-day are in control of their own government. They have had practical autonomy since 1916. The only remaining link between Washington and the Philippines is the Governor-General who is an American appointed by the President of the United States representing his country in the islands, and is the chief executive thereof. The islands produce great quantities of sugar, hemp, copra, rice, corn and tobacco. They are capable of producing besides, and are actually beginning to produce, rubber, coffee, various food and medicinal products, and a multitude of raw materials for every purpose. There are also many hardwoods appropriate for elegant furniture in a variety of natural colors not yet seen in any market. There are mines of gold, copper and coal in operation. There are said to be creditable iron and oil deposits. There are plenty of wonderful harbors for ships of heavy tonnage. The country is peaceful, the most peaceful perhaps in the world. A courteous and hospitable people greet the foreigner wherever he goes. I. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND [Discovery] The Philippines were discovered by Magellan in 1521. That discovery occasioned the first circumnavigation of the globe. Long before the discovery, however, the Islands were already known in the Orient, for they had commercial relations with China as early as the 13th century and with Japan, Siam, the Malay Peninsula, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and the Moluccas. It is erroneous to suppose that the culture of the Filipinos dated only from the time of the arrival of the Spaniards. Long before that time they had already acquired a fair degree of culture. They had systems of writing similar to the Phoenician alphabetical arrangement. They had calendars and a system of weights and measures. They tilled their lands and maintained village governments. They had laws based on traditions and customs handed down from generation to generation, and as early as 1433, or 88 years previous to the arrival of Magellan, there existed a Penal Code known as the Code of Calantiao. [The Spanish Rule--A Tale of Wars and Uprisings]