The Philippines: A Land of Diverse Topography PDF

The Philippines: A Land of Diverse Topography The Philippines is an archipelago consisting of 7,641 islands and islets stretching almost a thousand miles from north to south. The land surface is 114,830 sq. statutes miles and is crisscrossed with mountains and drained by small river systems. Volcani...

The Philippines: A Land of Diverse Topography The Philippines is an archipelago consisting of 7,641 islands and islets stretching almost a thousand miles from north to south. The land surface is 114,830 sq. statutes miles and is crisscrossed with mountains and drained by small river systems. Volcanic in origin, the mountain ranges “form the circuit and watershed of the Pacific basin of the earth’s surface” (Selected Readings in Philippine History, 2002). by Evedanie Beldad Mountain Systems of the Philippines Luzon Other Regions Visayas and Mindanao Luzon boasts three large mountain The eastern and southeastern Mindoro's mountain range, starting ranges: the Caraballo del Sur, the provinces of Luzon feature mountain at Mt. Halcon, is divided into three Caraballos Occidentales, and the ranges extending from the Caraballo sections: the northwest ending at Sierra Madre. The Caraballo del Sur, de Baler to San Bernardino Strait, Calavite Point, the east originating the heart of the system, reaches its culminating in Mayon Volcano in from Lake Nauhan, and the west highest point at the intersection of Albay and Bulusan Volcano in following the Mindoro Strait. Negros Abra, Ilocos Norte, and Cagayan. Sorsogon. The Zambales range is split by a range running northwest The Caraballos Occidentales branch stretches from Cape Bolinao along to southeast, with Kanlaon Volcano into the Cordillera Norte and the China Sea coast to the Bataan as its highest point. Panay has a Cordillera Central, running west of Peninsula. The Tagaytay range range running north, separating the Cagayan River. The Sierra traverses Cavite and Batangas, Antique from Iloilo, Capiz, and Aklan. Madre, the longest continuous range forming the mountain system of the Mindanao features four distinct in the Philippines, starts at Baler, southern Tagalog region with Mt. ranges: the Surigao range, the Quezon, and extends through Makiling. Butuan range, the central-western Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and ranges with Mt. Apo as the highest Cagayan. peak, and the Western range. River Systems of the Philippines 1 Luzon 2 Mindanao 3 Lakes and Waterfalls Luzon's fluvial system is Mindanao boasts the largest Laguna de Bay is the largest characterized by the Rio river system in the Philippines. lake in the Philippines. Other Grande de Cagayan and its The Rio Grande de Mindanao notable lakes include Taal Lake tributaries, draining the drains the central basin of in Batangas, Lake Lanao in Cagayan Valleys. The Agno Mindanao and receives water Marawi, Lanao Sur, Lake Nuajan Grande drains Benguet and the from two lakes: Agusan, the in Mindoro, and Lake Bito in valleys of Nueva Ecija, second largest river, and Leyte. The Philippines is home Pangasinan, and Tarlac. The Surigao. The world's longest to numerous waterfalls, popular Abra River system receives known underground river, St. tourist destinations and sources tributaries from the Cordillera Paul's, is located in Palawan. of hydroelectric power. and drains Lepanto, Bontoc, Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna is a and Abra. The Rio Grande de well-known tourist attraction, Pampanga and its tributaries while Botocan Falls in Laguna is drain the fertile valleys of the largest, and Maria Christina Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Falls is a significant source of Bulacan. hydroelectric power. Volcanoes and Earthquakes in the Philippines Volcanic Activity 1 Volcanoes are scattered across three geographic regions of the Philippines and have historically been a source of destruction. All Philippine volcanoes are 2 Active Volcanoes part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for its The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The Seismology (PHIVOLCS) identifies at least 24 active United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates or potentially active volcanoes. The six most active that 90% of the world's earthquakes and all but volcanoes are Mayon, Taal, Kanlaon, Bulusan, Hibok- three of the world's 25 largest volcanic eruptions Hibok, and Pinatubo, known for their frequent occur along the Ring of Fire. eruptions throughout history. Seismic Activity 3 The Philippines lies within the Pacific seismic belt, experiencing severe earthquakes. While these earthquakes have not been as destructive as those in Japan, they still pose a significant threat to the country. Natural Resources of the Philippines Fertile Land Forest Resources The Philippines possesses fertile, arable lands, making The Philippines boasts extensive forests, covering almost half agriculture a primary source of livelihood. Rich plains suitable of the country's land area. Sixty percent of these forests are for farming are found in the Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, found in Mindanao. The country ranks third in forest reserves, Southwestern Bicol, Panay, Negros, Davao, Cotabato, Agusan, with a total forest land area of 16,633,000 hectares, and Bukidnon. The country's six major crops are rice, corn, representing 55 percent of the total land area. sugarcane, coconut, abaca, and tobacco. Mineral Resources Marine Resources The Philippines is rich in mineral resources, including fertile The Philippines is one of Asia's great gold-producing regions. lands, diverse flora and fauna, extensive coastlines, and rich The country has 2,400 fish species, with 65 having commercial mineral deposits. About 30% of the country's land area is value. Other marine products include corals, pearls, crabs, and geologically prospective, with nickel being the most abundant seaweeds. Major fishing areas include Laguna de Bay, Bombon metal deposit. Other mineral resources include iron, copper, Lake in Batangas, Bato Lake in Camarines Sur, Naujan Lake in cement, lime, marble, asbestos, clay, guano, asphalt, feldspar, Mindoro, Mainit Lake in Agusan del Norte, Sintangki Island in sulfur, talc, silicon, phosphate, and marble. 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. Regions and Provinces of the Philippines Region Name Provinces I Ilocos Region Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan II Cagayan Valley Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino III Central Luzon Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales IV-A CALABARZON Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal IV-B MIMAROPA Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon V Bicol Region Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon VI Western Visayas Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental VII Central Visayas Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor VIII Eastern Visayas Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte IX Zamboanga Peninsula Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay X Northern Mindanao Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental XI Davao Region Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental XII SOCCSKSARGEN South Cotabato, Cotabato (North Cotabato), Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos City XIII Caraga Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur XIV Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao - BARMM Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao Norte, Maguindanao Sur, Sulu (SC ruling not part of the BARMM), Tawi-Tawi XV Cordillera Administrative Region - CAR Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province XVI National Capital Region - NCR (not divided into provinces, consists of cities) The Caraballo del Sur Highest Peak The Caraballo del Sur, the nucleus of Luzon's mountain system, reaches its highest point at the intersection of Abra, Ilocos Norte, and Cagayan. Biodiversity The Caraballo del Sur is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a vital ecosystem for the Philippines. Water Source The mountain range plays a crucial role in the water cycle, providing water to surrounding communities and agricultural areas. Geographic Significance The Caraballo del Sur forms a natural barrier between different regions of Luzon, influencing the flow of people and goods. The Sierra Madre Longest Range The Sierra Madre, also known as the Pacific coast range, is the longest continuous mountain range in the Philippines. Geographic Location It begins at Baler, Quezon, and extends through Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Cagayan, forming a significant part of Luzon's eastern coastline. Ecological Importance The Sierra Madre is a vital ecosystem, providing habitat for diverse flora and fauna and acting as a natural barrier against typhoons. Cultural Significance The Sierra Madre is home to indigenous communities who have lived in harmony with the mountain range for generations. The Zambales Range Coastal Location Recreational Opportunities The Zambales range starts at Cape Bolinao and The Zambales range offers opportunities for hiking, follows the China Sea coast to the Bataan Peninsula, camping, and exploring its diverse natural beauty, creating a dramatic landscape along the western attracting outdoor enthusiasts. coast of Luzon. The Tagaytay Range Southern Tagalog Region Tourist Destination The Tagaytay range passes through Cavite and The Tagaytay range is a popular tourist destination, Batangas, forming the mountain system of the offering breathtaking views of Taal Volcano and the southern Tagalog region, known for its scenic surrounding countryside. landscapes and agricultural areas.