The Philippines were first settled by the Negritos people who arrived at the islands thousands of years ago. The Polynesians arrived next, followed by the Chinese and Arabs. The first Europeans arrived in 1521, when the country was claimed for Spain. In 1898, the Spanish were defeated by the United States, who officially gained control of the Philippines following the Spanish-American War. In 1935, the U.S. made the Philippines a self-governing territory, but during World War II, the nation was occupied by Japan. With the help of American forces, the Japanese were driven out. In 1946, the country became a fully independent nation. Today, the Philippine economy is largely agricultural, with about one third of the labor force in farm-related employment. However, its main income comes from the manufacturing and service industries. Money sent home by Filipino workers overseas is also an important contributor to the Philippine economy. This book explains all you need to know about the ancient and current Philippines and provides a unique insight into this amazing country and its people. The Asian Countries Today series provides information on nine of the most important countries in Asia. Every book describes the history, geography, economy, culture, and relationship each country has with its neighbors. Furthermore, the series will encourage, inspire, and motivate the young reader to explore this fascinating subject in more depth.