ETHNOCENTRIC GLOBE

So far away, closer to Australia than the United States. A country made up of thousands of islands, glorious white sand beaches, and today many resorts that feature dwellings that are over shallow clear waters.   

According to Wikipedia, "The Philippines was ruled under the Mexico-based Viceroyalty of New Spain.  After this, the colony was directly governed by Spain.  Spanish rule ended in 1898 with Spain's defeat in the Spanish-American War.  The Philippines then became a territory of the United States.