Geography

T

here’s a saying that the Philippines “has it all” and this is certainly true
above the sea (as well as below). Northern terraced mountains give
way to steamy southern rainforest. In many parts of the country rice fields
sit in the shadow of volcanic cones (some still active). Their past eruptions
have created some extremely fertile regions making farming popular for
nearly half of the Philippine land. And the Philippines boasts over 7,
islands (official count is 7,107) and some stunning, coconut covered atolls.
2,000 of the isles in the Philippines
have inhabitants. In contrast, it is said
2,500 don’t have names. Luzon and
Mindanao are the largest islands
making up two-thirds of the country’s
landmass. 66% of the country’s land is
found on these two islands. In fact,
most of the islands here were formed
from past and current volcanic and
tectonic activity. The Philippines is a
huge archipelago stretching 1,
kilometers (1,150 mi) from the 15th to
the 20th parallels north latitude.
Landmass is 300,000 square
kilometers (115,831 sq mi).

Mt. Mayon, Luzon

Limestone cliffs, Coron