UNIT 1 THE PHILIPPINES – A QUICK OVERVIEW
Module 2 – Geography of the Philippines
Introduction
This module gives the reader a geographical description of the Philippines.
Descriptions on the country’s topograpy and geology are also included.Administrative
geography is also briefly discussed.
Objectives : At the end of this module you should be able to :
1. Describe briefly the geography of the regions in the Philippines.
2. Point out the distinct geographical features of the different regions.
3. Use maps to locate the different regions.
Geography of the Philippines
The Philippines is an archipelago that comprises 7,641 islands with a total land
area of 300,000 square kilometers (115,831 sq mi). It is the world's 5th largest island
country. The eleven largest islands contain 95% of the total land area. The largest of
these islands is Luzon at about 105,000 square kilometers (40,541 sq mi). The next
largest island is Mindanao at about 95,000 square kilometers (36,680 sq mi). The
archipelago is around 800 kilometers (500 mi) from the Asian mainland and is located
between Taiwan and Borneo.
The Philippine archipelago is divided into three island groups: Luzon, the
Visayas, and Mindanao. The Luzon islands include Luzon itself, Palawan, Mindoro,
Marinduque, Masbate, Romblon, Catanduanes, Batanes, and Polillo. The Visayas is the
group of islands in the central Philippines, the largest of which are: Panay, Negros,
Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Samar, Siquijor, Biliran, and Guimaras. The Mindanao islands
include Mindanao itself, Dinagat, Siargao, Camiguin, Samal, plus the Sulu Archipelago,
composed primarily of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
The Philippine archipelago lies in Southeast Asia in a position that has led to
itself becoming a cultural crossroads - a place where Malays, Hindus, Arabs, Chinese,
Spaniards, Americans, and others had interacted to forge a unique cultural and racial
blend. The archipelago numbers some 7,641 islands. The Philippines occupies an area
that stretches for 1,850 kilometers (1,150 mi) from about the fifth to the twentieth
parallels north latitude. The total land area is 300,000 square kilometers (115,831 sq
mi). This makes it the 5th largest island country in the world. Only approximately 1,000
of its islands are populated, and fewer than one-half of these are larger than 2.5 square
kilometers (1 sq mi). Eleven islands make up 95 percent of the Philippine landmass,
and two of these — Luzon and Mindanao — measure 105,000 square kilometers
(40,541 sq mi) and 95,000 square kilometers (36,680 sq mi), respectively. They,
together with the cluster of islands in Visayas in between them, represent the three
principal regions of the archipelago that are identified by the three stars on the
Philippine flag. The Philippines is broken up in many islands by the sea. This gives it the
fifth longest coastline of 36,289 kilometers (22,549 mi) in the world. The Exclusive
economic zone of the Philippines covers 2,263,816 km2 (874,064 sq mi), 200 nautical
miles (370 km) from its shores.
Off the coast of eastern Mindanao is the Philippine Trench, which descends to a
depth of 10,430 meters (34,220 ft). The Philippines is part of a western Pacific arc
system characterized by active volcanoes. Among the most notable peaks are Mount
Mayon near Legazpi City, Taal Volcano south of Manila, and Mount Apo in Mindanao.
All of the Philippine islands are prone to earthquakes. The northern Luzon highlands, or
Cordillera Central, rise to between 2,500 meters (8,200 ft) and 2,750 meters (9,020 ft),
and, together with the Sierra Madre in the northeastern portion of Luzon and the
mountains of Mindanao, boast rain forests that provide refuge for numerous upland
tribal groups. The rain forests also offer prime habitat for more than 500 species of
birds, including the Philippine eagle (or monkey-eating eagle), some 1,100 species of
orchids, and some 8,500 species of flowering plants.
The country's most extensive river systems are the Pulangi River, which flows
into the Mindanao River (Rio Grande de Mindanao); the Agusan, in Mindanao which
flows north into the Mindanao Sea; the Cagayan in northern Luzon; and the Pampanga,
which flows south from east Central Luzon into Manila Bay. Laguna de Bay, east of
Manila Bay, is the largest freshwater lake in the Philippines. Several rivers have been
harnessed for hydroelectric power. r To protect the country's biological resources, the
government has taken a first step of preparing a Biodiversity Action Plan to address
conservation of threatened species.
Most of the islands used to be covered by tropical rainforests. However, illegal
logging has reduced forest cover to less than 10% of the total land area.
Major volcanoes in the Philippines
Geology
The islands are volcanic in origin, being part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, and are
mostly mountainous. The highest point in the country is the peak of Mount Apo in
Mindanao, which is 2,954 meters (9,692 ft) above sea level. The second highest point
can be found on Luzon at Mount Pulag, a peak 2,842 meters (9,324 ft) above sea level.
The Philippine Archipelago is geologically part of the Philippine Mobile Belt
located between the Philippine Sea Plate, the South China Sea Basin of the Eurasian
Plate, and the Sunda Plate. The Philippine Trench (also called the Mindanao Trench) is
a submarine trench 1,320 kilometers (820 mi) in length found directly east of the
Philippine Mobile Belt and is the result of a collision of tectonic plates. The Philippine
Sea Plate is subducting under the Philippine Mobile Belt at the rate of about 16
centimeters (6.3 in) per year. Its deepest point, the Galathea Depth, has a depth of
10,540 meters (34,580 ft). The Philippine Fault System consists of a series of seismic
faults that produce several earthquakes per year, most of which are not felt.
Many volcanoes in the country are active. Mount Pinatubo is notorious for its destructive
VEI-6 eruption on June 15, 1991. Taal Volcano, one of the Decade Volcanoes, had a
VEI-3.7 eruption on January 12, 2020. Mount Mayon is renowned for having an almost
perfect cone, but has a violent history of 47 eruptions since 1616 and its VEI-4 eruption
on June 23, 1897 rained fire for seven days.
Topography
The Batanes and Babuyan islands
The Batanes and Babuyan Islands are situated on the northernmost extremity of
the Philippines at Luzon Strait facing Taiwan. It contains the northernmost point of land,
the islet of Y'Ami in the Batanes Islands, separated from Taiwan by the Bashi Channel
(c.80.4672 kilometers (50.0000 mi) wide).
Western Luzon
This region stretches from Mairaira Point in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte in the north
to Cochinos Point in Mariveles, Bataan in the south. The terrain ranges from coastal
plains to rugged mountains bordered by the South China Sea in the west and the
Cordillera Central and Zambales mountain ranges in the east. Western Luzon is known
for its beaches, surf spots and historic towns.
Cagayan Valley
Nestled between the Cordilleras in the east and the Sierra Madre mountain
ranges in the west is the Cagayan Valley, also the name of the administrative region
which it covers. Through its center runs the country's longest river, the Cagayan, flowing
in a northward direction before emptying its waters in the Luzon Strait at the town of
Aparri.
Cordilleras and Caraballos
The Cordilleras and Caraballos, together with the Sierra Madre Range, form the
main mountain system in Northern Luzon.
The Cordilleras consists of two, sometimes three, mountain ranges that are
found in northwestern central Luzon. The first, called Caraballo del Sur, forms the
nucleus of the system and has its highest peaks in the border between the provinces of
Abra, Ilocos Norte and Cagayan. Caraballo Occidentalles, is further divided into two
ranges, the Cordillera Norte and Cordillera Central. They line the central portions of the
Cordillera Administrative Region.
The Caraballos (Caraballo de Baler) start where the Sierra Madre and the
Cordilleras meet. They are found south of Cagayan Valley, northeast of the Central
Luzon Plains.
Sierra Madre Mountains
Lying in the eastern portion of Luzon is the longest mountain range in the
Philippines, the Sierra Madre, stretching from Quezon province in the south to Cagayan
in the north. 80 percent of the mountain range is tropical rainforest, which is diminishing
from rampant illegal logging activity. The range serves as the eastern wall of Luzon
Island that protects inhabitants from tropical cyclones usually coming from the Pacific
Ocean.
Central Luzon Plains
The largest plain of the nation is situated in the Central Luzon region and
produces most of the national rice supply, earning itself the nickname "Rice Bowl of the
Philippines". The plains encompass the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga,
Tarlac and Pangasinan.
Manila-Katagalugan plains
South of the Central Luzon plains lies the largest inland freshwater lake in
Southeast Asia, the Laguna de Bay. To the east of the lake is a plain that stretches
westward to the Manila Bay. Large rivers from bays and mountain springs traverse the
plain. In the northern part of the region, that is, Manila and Rizal, most of the plain had
been converted into cities and towns, and are thus industrialized. Lying east of the lake
is the southern terminus of the Sierra Madre mountain range at northern Quezon
province.
To the southwest of the Laguna de Bay is the nation's third largest lake, the Taal,
bordered to the north by the Tagaytay Ridge, a ridge stretching from southern Cavite to
northern Batangas provinces.
Bondoc Peninsula
The Bondoc Peninsula is located in the southeastern part of Quezon Province.
Bicol Peninsula
Southeast of Laguna de Bay lies the Bicol Peninsula, connected to mainland
Luzon by the isthmus of Tayabas. The predominantly flat landscape features several
solitary peaks, usually active volcanoes, which include Iriga, Mayon and Bulusan.
The peninsula has an irregular coastline that features large bays and gulfs, which
include the Lamon Bay, San Miguel Bay, Lagonoy Gulf, and Albay Gulf to the north, and
the Tayabas Bay, Ragay Gulf and Sorsogon Bay to the south.
Mindoro Island
Mindoro coastal plains
Mindoro's coastal plains are characterized by rice and corn fields, rivers,
beaches, and extensive open space areas. Most of the population is concentrated on
the northern and eastern coast of this island where the city of Calapan and Puerto
Galera are located.
Mindoro highlands
The Mindoro mountain range begins with Mount Halcon and is further divided
into three. The northwest ends at Calavite Point and is a landmark for ships. The east
originates from Lake Naujan and the west follows the Mindoro Strait.
Palawan
The Kalayaan Islands are located to the west of Palawan. Kalayaan is a Filipino
word meaning "freedom".
Eastern Pacific Cordillera
The eastern coast of Mindanao features a long mountain range, the Eastern
Pacific Cordillera, which stretches from Bilar Point at Surigao in the north to Cape San
Agustin at Davao in the south. Forming its northern portion are the Diwata Mountains
(also spelled Diuata), separated from the south by low passes situated at the middle. To
the east of the range are narrow strips of lowland that feature several inlets and bays,
the most prominent of which include the Lianga and Bislig bays.
Davao-Agusan Trough
To the west of the Pacific Cordillera lies an extensive lowland, the Davao-Agusan
Trough. Its northern portion includes the Agusan Valley which forms the lower river
basin of the Agusan River. The river flows in a northward direction and empties into the
Butuan Bay. Draining the southern portion of the lowland are several other rivers, which
include the Tagum, flowing southward to the Davao Gulf.
Central Mindanao highlands
Situated west of the Davao-Agusan Trough is a complex series of mountain
ranges called the Central Mindanao Highlands (also known as the Central Cordillera).
From these mountains form the headwaters of several rivers which include the Rio
Grande de Mindanao, Pulangi, Maridagao and Tagoloan rivers. Several tall mountains,
such as Mount Apo, the country's highest are found within the range.
Bukidnon-Lanao plateaus
The north-central portion of Mindanao is dominated by an extensive highland
region, the Bukidnon-Lanao Plateau, which includes the Kitanglad and Kalatungan
mountain ranges. Within the plateau lies the country's second largest lake, Lake Lanao
situated at an elevation of 2,296 feet, drained by the Agus River flowing northward to its
river mouth at Iligan Bay.
Cotabato Basin
South of the Bukidnon-Lanao Plateau lies a large depression, the Cotabato
Basin, which forms the lower river basin of the country's second largest river system,
the Rio Grande de Cagayan (also known as the Mindanao River). Surrounded by three
mountain ranges, the basin's only opening to the sea is to the northwest at Illana Bay,
where the Mindanao River empties into the ocean.
To the southeast of the main basin are two large valleys, the Koronadal and Allah
valleys.
Tiruray highlands
Situated south and west of the Cotabato Basin are a moderately high mountain
range, the Tiruray Highlands, which block off the Basin from the southern
coastline.South of the highlands are narrow strips of coastlines.
Zamboanga peninsula
At the northwestern tip of Mindanao is the generally mountainous Zamboanga
Peninsula. The chain of mountain ranges in this region is called Zamboanga Cordilleras,
with the highest elevation at Mount Dapi, which is 2,617 meters (8,586 ft) high.
The southern coastline is irregular, featuring two smaller peninsulas, the
Sibuguey and Baganian, extending southward to the Moro Gulf.
Outlying islands of Mindanao
Dinagat and Siargao Islands
To the north of the Diwata Mountains at northeast Mindanao lie Siargao island and the
Dinagat group of islands.
Sulu Archipelago
Southwest of the Zamboanga Peninsula is the Sulu Archipelago, a chain of islands
which comprise the smaller archipelago provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
Administrative geography
The Philippines is divided into a hierarchy of local government units (LGUs) with
the 81 provinces and 38 independent cities as the primary unit. Provinces are further
subdivided into component cities and municipalities, both of which consist of barangays,
the smallest local government unit.
Regions
There are 17 regions comprising the Philippines. Each region, with the exception
of the National Capital Region, is further subdivided into component provinces. The
National Capital Region is divided into four special districts.
Most government offices establish regional offices in a city to serve the
constituent provinces. Such cities are designated as "regional centers". The regions
themselves do not possess a separate local government, with the exception of the
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
Provinces
Forming the regions, with the exception of the National Capital, are the 81
provinces. Each province has a capital city or municipality.
Landlocked and island provinces
Of the 81 provinces of the Philippines, 15 are landlocked, and 16 are island
provinces.
The Batanes and Babuyan islands
The Batanes and Babuyan Islands are situated on the northernmost extremity of
the Philippines at Luzon Strait facing Taiwan. It contains the northernmost point of land,
the islet of Y'Ami in the Batanes Islands, separated from Taiwan by the Bashi Channel
(c.80.4672 kilometers (50.0000 mi) wide).
References :
WIKIPEDIA,The Free Encyclopedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_the_Philippines
Matt Ortile, BuzzFeed
Flickr: allandonque
Ojie Paloma / Via Flickr: huno
Chara Scroope, 2017Thinkstock Flickr: whltravel
Advameg. (n.d.). Philippines. Retrieved from http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/The-Philippines.html.
Index Mundi. (2014). Philippines Demographics Profile 2014. Retrieved from
http://www.indexmundi.com/philippines/demographics_profile.html.
REL Northwest. (n.d.). Tagalog Naming Conventions Reference Guide. Retrieved from
http://relnw.educationnorthwest.org/sites/default/files/events/resources/Tagalog%20naming.pdf.
