Geography of Northeastern Region

Churches and Monument

• San Carlos Borromeo Church in Mahatao was completed in 1789 and still retains its centuries-old features.
• Kirang Pass in Aritao is a monument in honor of the gallantry of Filipino soldiers during World War II.

National Parks and Natural Wonders

• Mt. Pulag National Park in Kayapa serves as a gateway to the country's second highest peak, Mt. Pulag, which rises 9,630 feet above sea level.
• Callao Caves in Peñablanca feature massive limestone and other rock formations, skylights, and a chapel.
• The Caves also have a circadian flight of thousands of bats from their cave at dusk, a major attraction.

Provinces and Capitals

• Nueva Vizcaya Province has a capitol in Bayombong with a park featuring exotic plant species, concrete benches, sidewalks lit with giant mercury lamps, and a man-made lagoon ideal for rowing.

Rivers and Dams

• The Cagayan River is the Philippines' mightiest watercourse, the longest and widest river in the country, and ends at the Aparri Delta.
• Magat Dam is Asia's biggest dam project.

Islands and Events

• Batanes Day is held every June 26 to commemorate the founding of the islands as a province, featuring street parades and local contests.
• Sabtang Island is an undisturbed and unspoiled island with intermittent white sand beaches, steep mountains, deep canyons, and small level areas along the coastline.

Regional Profile

• The Cagayan Valley region is located on the northeastern part of the mainland, covering an area of about 26,878.79 sq. kilometers.
• The climate is dry from December to May and wet from June to November, with hot months from March to May, sometimes extending up to August.
• The locals speak Ilocano, Ibanag, Itawes, and Tagalog, with English generally understood and spoken regionwide.

Getting There

• To reach Cagayan Valley, travelers can fly or travel by land to the province of Tuguegarao, leaving it the preferred "entry point" of visitors coming from Manila.