GEOGRAPHY OF THE PHILIPPINES
The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands, islets, rocks and
sandbars lying within the Pacific seismic belt. It is bounded on the west
by the South China Sea, on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the south
by the Sulu and Celebes Seas, and on the north by the Bashi Channel.
Its total land area is 300,780 square kilometers. This land area makes the
Philippines a medium-sized country, a little larger than the British Isles,
and about two-thirds the size of Spain. The archipelago is divided into
three main groups of islands: Luzon (to the north), the Visayas (central
islands), and Mindanao (south).
Except for Luzon and Mindanao, the islands of the archipelago are
actually the crests of submerged mountain ranges. The Sierra Madre in
Luzon, also known as the Pacific coast range, is the longest continuous
mountain range in the Philippines. It begins at Baler, Quezon Province,
at the south eastern part of Luzon and crosses Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya,
and Cagayan Province in the north eastern tip of the island.
Volcanoes dot the three geographic regions of the country. At least ten
of these volcanoes are considered active; the rest are dormant. Of these
volcanoes, Mayon in Albay Province has been the most active. It has a
nearly perfect cone and is a national tourist attraction. The Taal Volcano
is the smallest in the world and is situated in the middle of a lake in
Batangas 60 kilometers south of Manila. The highest peak in the country,
Mount Apo, rises 2,955 meters in Southern Mindanao and is a dormant
volcano.
The country has an irregular coastline that extends to about 10,850
statute miles, twice as long as that of continental United States. Such
irregularity results in numerous fine harbors. Manila Bay is one of the
finest natural harbors in the world.
Manila, the capital, lies in the major routes across the Pacific. It is
popular for its sunset and is the seat of the regional offices of several
international organizations, such as the World Health Organization and
the Asian Development Bank. The International Rice Research Institute is
located in Los Baños, Laguna, which is about 2 hours' drive from Manila.
THE MAJOR ISLANDS OF THE PHILIPPINES
LUZON
LUZON is the largest of the Philippine islands. It streches more than
10,000 kilometers, its northernmost tip almost touching Taiwan and its
southwestern finger reaching out to Borneo.
Luzon is where Manila, the vibrant national capital, and Makati, the
booming financial center are situated. The island is connected by a
network of modern roads and bridges that traverse cities like Laoag in
the north or Naga in Bicol region with their old churches and modern
airports and hotels; small towns like Vigan in Ilocos Sur with horsedrawn carriages, Antillan houses and internet facilities; and rural villages
with quaint inns and cellphone sites.
Next to Manila is Bulacan, site of the Barasoain Church where the
Revolutionary Congress drafted the first Philippine constitution more
that 100 years ago. A little farther north is Pampanga, famous for carved
wooden furniture and giant Christmas lanterns. Also next to the capital
city are the provinces of Rizal, home to Filipino artists, Cavite and
Batangas with their historic towns and museums, and Laguna with its
string of resorts and springs with healing powers.
In Laguna, Batangas and Quezon provinces are the enchanting Mount
Makiling and mystical Mount Banahaw of the Sierra Madre.
Across Manila Bay stands Corregidor, the island fortress that played a
prominent role in the Pacific War.
North of Manila is Baguio City, the cool mountain haven of pine trees
and flowers perfect for the dry months of March, April and May. From
this "Summer Capital", one can visit the Banaue Rice Terraces, an
engineering marvel considered the Eighth Wonder of the World.
South of Manila is Tagaytay, a cool and popular resort city in Cavite with
a spectacular view of Taal Volcano, the world's smallest active volcano.
Taal, a volcano within a lake within another volcano, is in Batangas,
where the St. Martin of Tours Basilica, the largest church in the Far East,
is located. Batangas is also a diver's paradise. Streching along the
eastern coast is Quezon, with its fine beaches and coconut plantations.
Farther south in the Bicol region is Albay and its perfect cone-shaped
Mayon Volcano.
Southwest is Palawan, the country's last frontier with the forbidding
limestone cliffs of El Nido, the subterranean caverns and river of St. Paul,
the safari island of Calauit, home to giraffes, impalas and zebras, and
Tubbataha reef, the most beautiful dive site this side of the world and
recently declared a protected marine area.
VISAYAS
THE VISAYAS are emerald and sapphire jewels dotting the land and
seascape between Luzon and Mindanao. Centrally located this cluster of
islands entices the adventurous, the daring and the lover of nature and
beauty to frolic in the sun, sea and sand.
At the very center is the island-province of Cebu, itself ringed by 166
smaller islands. Mactan, one of these islands, has some of the best
diving spots in the country and Bantayan, another isle, is famed for its
breathtaking coral formations.
Cebu City was the first Spanish settlement in Asia and is the second
largest metropolis in the country, rivaling Manila in many ways.
Two hours away from Cebu by Super Cat ferry is Bohol, more rustic but
just as exciting for the adventurous and daring. The most popular diving
destinations are the islands of Panglao, Balicasag and Pamalican, from
where one can also go whale-watching. Its top tourist attractions are the
Chocolate Hills, thousands of cone-shaped mounds scattered over 50
square kilometers. Bohol is also home to the tarsier, the oldest insecteating mammal and smallest primate on the planet.
The Samar-Leyte region in the Eastern Visayas offers a quieter but
equally picturesque life of rural Philippines.
The Panay and Negros islands offer a glimpse of the country's Spanish
roots. Iloilo boasts centuries-old churches, period houses and fine
handloomed farbrics. Negros Occidental was once the nation's sugar
bowl and bastion of the old rich landed gentry. Negros Oriental is ideal
for land and water adventure sports like trekking, scuba-diving and
kayaking.
Off the province of Aklan is Boracay, touted as the Best Beach in the
World, with four kilometers of dazzling powder-fine white sand and
warm, crystalline waters.
MINDANAO
MINDANAO, the second largest island in the Philippines, is simply
bewitching. It is picturesque with its stunning land-and-seascapes.
Tiny pearl-shaped Camiguin Island is inviting with its white beaches and
seven volcanoes. Misamis Oriental is a trekker destination with its
canopy Walk in the rainforest of Claveria. Cagayan de Oro beckons with
its white water rafting, kayaking, and the Garden of Malasag EcoTourism Village. Bukidnon is Cowboy Country with its cattle ranches and
pineapple
plantations.
Surigao offers every kind of watersports and has Cloud Nine Break, one
of the best surfs in the world.
In Davao is Mount Apo, the country's highest peak. It is home to the rare
Philippine Eagle, the world's largest eagle, and the exquisite walingwaling, the queen of orchids. The Garden City of Samal Islands is where
one can enjoy dolphin and whale watching.
Zamboanga City has quaint water villages with houses on stilts inhabited
by pearl-diving Badjaos. In Lanao del Norte is the Maria Cristina Falls,
100 feet higher that Niagara Falls.
There are fruits and flowers everywhere: durian, marang, mangosteen
and rambutan as well as banana, pineapple and various citrus fruits; and
countless varieties and species of orchids and other lovely flora.
And then, there are the people of different tribes and ethnic traditions
and beliefs who will be more than happy to welcome you.