Continent
Southeast Asia, on the Eastern rim of the Asiatic Mediterranean
Bordering Countries
The Philippines is not landlocked, as it is a chain of islands surrounded by oceans. Neighboring countries include:
- China: Shares a maritime border in the South China Sea.
- Taiwan: Shares a maritime border to the north.
- Japan: Shares a maritime border to the northeast.
- Palau: Shares a maritime border to the east and southeast.
- Malaysia: Shares a maritime border to the southwest, which is a point of a territorial claim by the Philippines over parts of Sabah.
- Indonesia: Shares a maritime border to the south in the Celebes Sea.
- Vietnam: Shares a maritime border to the west.
Surrounding Oceans
- West by the South China Sea
- East by the Pacific Ocean
- South by the Sulu and Celebes Seas
- North by the Bashi Channel
Major Landforms
Volcano
- The Philippines is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it home to numerous volcanoes
- Mayon Volcano: Famous for its near-perfect cone shape, located on the Bicol Peninsula in Albay province.
- Kanlaon: Another prominent volcano.
- Mount Apo: The highest peak in the Philippines, an active volcano on Mindanao
- Mount Pinatubo in the Zambales Mountains located along the central-western coast in Luzon that had a major eruption in 1991
- Others: Taal Volcano, Mount Makiling, Mount Banahaw, Mount Isarog
Mountains
- Sierra Madre – major mountain range running along the eastern coast of Luzon
- Cordillera Mountains: Located in the northern part of Luzon, this range is home to the highest peak in the Philippines, Mount Apo.
- Zambales Mountains: Another prominent mountain range on Luzon.
- Mindanao: This southern island features extensive mountainous areas.
- Zambales Mountain Range is located along the central-western coast in Luzon and includes the volcanic Mount Pinatubo.
Plains and Valleys
- Cagayan Valley: A large lowland area in Luzon.
- Central Plain: Another significant lowland area in Luzon.
- Agusan and Cotabato Valleys: Major lowland plains in Mindanao.
Plateau
- Bukidnon Plateau in Mindanao, which is known for its rolling grasslands, while the plateaus in Luzon are associated with famous locations like the Banaue Rice Terraces.
- the plateaus in the mountainous regions of Luzon like those in Benguet and Ifugao
- the Benham Rise, which is an underwater plateau.
Size
The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands covering a land area of 115,739 sq. m. (299,764 sq. km.)
Manila takes up 16.35 mi² with an elevation of 43’
Major Landmarks
Famous landmarks in the Philippines include historical sites like Intramuros in Manila, the Banaue Rice Terraces, and the Spanish colonial streets of Vigan. Natural landmarks such as the Chocolate Hills in Bohol and the perfectly cone-shaped Mayon Volcano are also very famous.
Historical & Cultural Landmarks:
- Intramuros: The historic walled city in Manila, which includes Fort Santiago, a 16th-century fortress.
- Banaue Rice Terraces: Over 2,000-year-old terraces in Ifugao, sometimes called the “Eighth Wonder of the World”.
- Calle Crisologo: A historic street in Vigan lined with Spanish-era houses.
- Barasoain Church: A historic church in Malolos, Bulacan, where the First Philippine Republic was declared.
- Magellan’s Cross: A cross planted by Ferdinand Magellan in Cebu City in 1521, located in a small chapel.
- Rizal Park: Also known as Luneta Park, this is a national park in Manila that includes the Rizal Monument.
Natural and Geological Landmarks:
Chocolate Hills: A unique geological formation of about 1,260 hills in Bohol that turn brown during the dry season.
Mayon Volcano: A volcano in Albay known for its near-perfect symmetrical cone shape.
Puerto Princesa Underground River: A cave system in Palawan that features a subterranean river.
Some Landforms of the many Islands of the Philippines
The Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,000 islands
Luzon
- Philippine Trench: An oceanic trench located off the east shore of the Philippines, which runs through the waters near Luzon.
- Laguna de Bay: The largest lake in the Philippines, located in the southeastern part of Luzon.
- La Paz Sand Dunes: A unique sand dune system located along the Ilocos coastline.
Palawan
An elongated island with steep coasts, submerged barrier reefs, and limestone cliffs.
The landscape also features coastal plains, foothills, and valleys, as well as various marine ecosystems like coral reefs and mangroves.
Major Landforms include:
- Central mountain range with its highest peak at Mount Mantalingajan,
- Rugged limestone formations common in areas like El Nido,
- Coral Reefs such as the Tubbataha Reefs Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- A high concentration of Mangrove Forests,
- A long, irregular coastline, measuring nearly 2,000 kilometers, dotted with white sand beaches, rocky coves, and numerous smaller islands.
- Honda Bay, which features a shallow bay known for its islets, shallow reefs, beaches, and water sports.
Boracay
Major Landforms include:
- cliffs and rocky coasts, particularly in the Yapak and Manoc-Manoc areas
- powdery white sand beaches like White Beach, known for its fine, crushed coral sand, and Puka Shell Beach, which has sand made from crushed puka shells
Key Landmarks also feature unique formations such as:
- Willy’s Rock, a volcanic rock with a religious grotto, home to a statue of the Virgin Mary.
- Mt Luho, the island’s highest point, a peak offering panoramic views of the island and surrounding waters from its viewing deck
- Bulabog Beach, a long, sandy beach on the eastern side of the island, famous as a spot for watersports like kite surfing.
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second-lagest island in the Philippines and is located in the southern part of the archipelago.
Major landforms in Mindanao include:
- Mountain ranges like the Pantaron Range and Zamboanga Cordilleras,
- Volcanic peaks such as the highest peak in the Philippines, Mount Apo,
- Vast lowlands including the fertile Agusan and Mindanao river valleys.
The island also features large, high-elevation plateaus, irregular coastlines with peninsulas, and large lakes like Lake Lanao.
Mountain Ranges
- Mount Apo: A dormant stratovolcano and the highest point in the Philippines, located in the Apo-Talomo Mountain Range.
- Pantaron Mountain Range: Also known as the Central Cordillera of Mindanao, this range is one of the last remaining blocks of old-growth forest in the Philippines.
- Zamboanga Cordilleras: A chain of mountain ranges in the western part of the island, extending along the Zamboanga Peninsula.
- Other volcanic peaks: Mindanao has numerous isolated volcanic cones and clusters, such as Mount Malindang, and other high peaks like Mount Dulang-Dulang, Mount Kitanglad, and Mount Kalatungan.
Plains and Valleys
- Agusan and Mindanao River Valleys: Two large, fertile inland lowland areas that contain some of the island’s most extensive swamps.
- Coastal Plains: Mindanao has narrow coastal plains, particularly on its southern coastline.
Other Major Lanforms
- Lake Lanao: A large, high-elevation lake in the mountains, formed by a lava dam.
- Plateaus: The island contains high, rolling plateaus, often surrounding volcanic areas.
- Peninsulas: The irregular southern coastline includes peninsulas like the Sibuguey and Baganian peninsulas.
- Prominent Waterfalls: Maria Cristina Falls is a spectacular waterfall on the Agus River, notable for its height and use for hydroelectric power.
Other Notable Landmarks of the Philippines
The Ruins: An old mansion in Talisay, Negros Occidental, that is now a park and restaurant.
Boracay: A world-famous island known for its beaches and clear waters.
The Malacañang of the North: A museum in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, that served as a presidential guesthouse and offers a glimpse into the Marcos family’s history.
Miagao Church: A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Baroque architecture.