GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

The Philippines is an archipelago in Southeast Asia. It is located south of Taiwan, north

of Malaysia, and separated from Vietnam to the west by the South China Sea. To its east
is the Pacific Ocean and it is between 116° 40', and 126° 34' E. longitude and 4° 40' and
21° 10' N. latitude and borders the Philippine Sea on the east, the South China Sea on the
west, and the Celebes Sea on the south.

The Philippines
Area 115,831 sq. mi.
Population 68,424,000 (1999 est)
Life Expectancy 66.13 years
Literacy 94 percent
Official Name Republic of the
Philippines
Government Type Republic/democratic
Head of State President Gloria
Macapagal- Arroyo
Agricultural Rice, sugar, coconut,
Products pineapple, tropical fruits
and vegetables
Average Manila (Lowland) 80.2 F
Temperature Baguio (Highland) 64.8 F
Languages Pilipino and English
Cebuano, Ilocano

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES OF THE PHILIPPINES

 Manila
Quezon City
Cities Baguio City
Davao City
Zamboanga City

Luzon
Major
Visayas
Islands
Mindanao

Sulu Sea
South China Sea
Philippine Sea
Waterways Celebes Sea
Manila Bay
Davao Bay
Balabac Strait
Philippine Trench
Other Sierra Madre Mountains
Features Cordillera Central Mountains
Mt. Apo

Climate of the Philippines

Tropical monsoon characterized by relatively high temperature, oppressive humidity and plenty of
rainfall. There are two seasons in the country, the wet season and the dry season, based upon the
amount of rainfall.[1] This is dependent as well on your location in the country as some areas
experience rain all throughout the year (see Climate Types). Based on temperature, the seven warmest
months of the year are from April to October; the winter monsoon brings cooler air from November to
March. May is the warmest month, and January, the coolest.[2]

Weather in the Philippines is monitored and managed by the government agency known locally by its
acronym, PAG-ASA or the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration.

Natural Resources
The Philippines is rich in natural resources. It has fertile, arable lands, diverse flora and fauna,
extensive coastlines, and rich mineral deposits.

Our Land
The Philippines’ primary source of livelihood is its fertile land. Rich, wide plains suitable for farming
are found in the Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, South western Bicol, Panay, Negros, Davao,
Cotabato, Agusan and Bukidnon. The country ‘s six major crops are rice, corn, sugarcane, coconut,
abaca and tobacco. Except for rice and corn, all these products are exported, along with bananas and
pineapples.

Bodies of Water
The Philippines boast of many different kinds of natural water forms, such as bays, rivers, lakes falls,
gulfs, straits, and swamps. Because it is made up of islands, the country's coastline, if laid end-to-end,
would measure around 17.5 thousand kilometers. The Philippines is blessed with excellent natural
harbors for ports like Manila Bay. Other excellent harbors with port potentials are found in Ilocos,
Pangasinan, Visayas, and Mindanao. The three largest rivers in the country are the Cagayan River in
Northern Luzon, the Rio Grande de Mindanao, and the Agusan River, also in Mindanao. Also
noteworthy in terms of size are the Agno, Pasig, Angat Pampanga, and Bicol rivers in Luzon. Most
popular among tourist is the famous underground river in Palawan. Aside from rivers, the country also
abounds with lakes. Easily the most famous is the heart-shaped Laguna de Bay. Other famous lakes
are Taal in Batangas, Sampaloc in Laguna, Buhi and Bulusan in Bicol, Naujan in Mindoro oriental,
and Lanao and Mainit in Mindanao. Generating power for the Nation’s growth are the magnificent
waterfalls that serve as tourist attractions, as well. The biggest is waterfalls is the Maria Cristina falls,
it can be found in the North Western part of Lanao province in Mindanao, while the most popular is
Pagsanjan falls in Laguna, where tourist came in droves.

Our Forests
The Philippines also boasts of wide tracts of lush, green forests. In fact, almost half of the country’s
total land area is forested. Sixty percent of these forests are found in Mindanao.

Mineral resources
Except for petroleum and a number of metals, mineral resources abound in Philippine soil. The
country’s mineral deposits can be classified into metals and non-metals. Our metal deposits are
estimated at 21.5 billion metric tons, while non-metal deposits are projected at 19.3 billion metric tons.
Nickel ranks first in terms of deposits and size, it is found in Surigao del Norte, Davao, Palawan,
Romblon and Samar. Iron is found in Ilocos Norte, Nueva Ecija, Camarines Norte and Cotabato.
While copper in Zambales, Batangas, Mindoro, Panay and Negros. Among non-metal deposits, the
most abundant are cement, lime, and marble. Other non-metals include asbestos, clay, guano, asphalt,
feldspar, sulfur, talc, silicon, phosphate, and marble.

Fishery Resources
With its territorial waters measuring as much as 1.67 million square kilometers and located in the
worlds fishing center, the Philippines is definitely rich in marine resources. Of the 2,400 fish species
found in the country. 65 have good commercial value. Other marine products include corals, pearls,
crabs and seaweeds. Some of the countries best salt water fishing area’s are found in Sintangki Island
in Sulu Estancia in Bohol, Malampaya in Palawan, Lingayen Gulf in Pangasinan, San Miguel lake in
Camarines Norte, Bantayan Channel in Cebu, and the seas of Quezon and Sorsogon.

On the other hand, among our biggest fisher water fishing areas are Laguna de Bay, Bombon Lake in
Batangas, Bato Lake in Canmarines Sur, Naujan Lake in Mindoro and Mainit lake in Agusan del
Norte.

Main article: Geography of the Philippines

Mount Apo in Mindanao.

Chocolate Hills in Bohol.

The Philippines constitutes an archipelago of 7,107 islands[9] with a total land area of approximately
300,000 square kilometers (116,000 square miles). It is located between 116° 40', and 126° 34' E.
longitude, and 4° 40', and 21° 10' N. latitude, and borders the Philippine Sea on the east, the South
China Sea on the west, and the Celebes Sea on the south. The island of Borneo is located a few
hundred kilometers southwest, and Taiwan directly located to the north. The Moluccas, and Sulawesi
are located to the south-southwest, and Palau is located to the east of the Philippine Sea.[2]

The Philippines are divided into three island groups: Luzon (Regions I to V, NCR and CAR), Visayas
(VI to VIII), and Mindanao (IX to XIII and ARMM). The busy port of Manila, on Luzon, is the capital
city of the Philippines, and the second largest city after Quezon City.[2]

Mayon Volcano in Luzon.

Most of the mountainous islands were covered in tropical rainforest, and are volcanic in origin. The
highest mountain is Mount Apo located in Mindanao measuring at 2,954 meters (9,692 ft) above sea
level. There are many active volcanos such as Mayon Volcano, Mount Pinatubo, and Taal Volcano.
The Philippines is also located within the typhoon belt of the Western Pacific, and approximately 19
typhoons strike per year.[34]

Located on the northwestern fringes of the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippine Islands have
experienced frequent seismic, and volcanic activities. Around 20 earthquakes are registered daily in
the Philippines, though most are too weak to be felt. The last earthquake was the 1990 Luzon
earthquake.[35]

The longest river is the Cagayan River in northern Luzon. Manila Bay is connected to Laguna de Bay
by means of the Pasig River. Subic Bay, the Davao Gulf, and the Moro Gulf are some of the important
bays. Transversing the San Juanico Strait is the San Juanico Bridge (considered a point of vital
national infrastructure, and capacity), that connects the islands of Samar, and Leyte.[36]

Natural resources
Further information: Ecoregions in the Philippines
Philippine Eagle, one of the Philippines' most recognized bird species.

The Philippines provides a high environment of natural resources in areas such as agriculture, nature,
and minerals. It has fertile lands, diverse flora and fauna, extensive coastlines, and rich mineral
deposits.[37]

Endemic species include the tamaraw of Mindoro, and the tarsier of Bohol. The Philippines have a
lack of predators, with the exception of snakes, such as pythons, and cobras, and birds of prey, such as
the national bird, known as the Philippine eagle.[38] Other native animals include the palm civet cat,[39]
the Mouse deer, the Visayan warty pig,[40] and several species of bats.

Rainforests boasts an array of flora, including several types of orchids, and rafflesia.[41] The narra is
considered as the most important type of hardwood while banyan trees or the balete.[42] The
Philippines' major crops include rice, corn, sugarcane, coconut, abaca, and tobacco. Rice is the most
important source of food along with corn. The coconut, mango, watermelon, and other native fruits are
an important source of Philippine income.

Due to the volcanic nature of the islands, mineral deposits are abundant. This also allows the
Philippines to become a powerhouse with regards to geothermal energy.[43][44]

The Philippine territorial waters measure as much as 1.67 million square kilometers, producing a
unique, and diverse marine life. Of the 2,400 fish species found in the Philippines, 65 have good
commercial value. Other marine products include corals, pearls, crabs, and seaweeds.[37][45] The rain
forests offer prime habitat for more than 530 species of birds, including the Philippine eagle, some 800
species of orchids, and some 8,500 species of flowering plants.[46]

Climate

Limestone islands of El Nido in Palawan.

The Philippines has a tropical marine climate, and is usually hot, humid, and tropical. The average
yearly temperature is around 26.5°C (79.7°F). There are three recognized seasons: "Tag-init" or "Tag-
araw" (the hot season or summer from March to May), "Tag-ulan" (the rainy season from June to
November), and "Tag-lamig" (the cold season from December to February). The southwest monsoon
(from May to October) is known as the "Habagat", and the dry winds of the northeast monsoon (from
November to April) as the "Amihan".[47] The coolest month is January, and the warmest is May. Both
temperature, and humidity levels reach the maximum in April and May.[2] Manila, and most of the
lowland areas are hot, and dusty from March to May.[48] Even at this time, however, temperatures
rarely rise above 37°C. Mean annual sea-level temperatures rarely fall below 27°C. Annual rainfall
measures as much as 5,000 millimeters in the mountainous east coast section of the Philippines, but
less than 1,000 millimeters in some of the sheltered valleys. Sitting astride the typhoon belt, most of
the Philippines experiences annual torrential rains, and thunderstorms from July to October.[49]