The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898: Volume 31, 1640 Explorations of Early Mariners, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Inhabitants, Their History, and Records of Catholic Missions as Recorded in Contemporary Books and Manuscripts, Reflecting the Political Author(s) Aduarte, Diego .The book explores the period of the Spanish colonial empire from 1493 to 1898, focusing on the period of 1640 and the early explorations of the islands.The author offers detailed descriptions of the life and culture of the local people, religious and political events of the time the study of the history of the Philippines in the aspect of the colonial era and the anthropology of the national groups of islands."