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{{Infobox country geography
| name = the Philippines
| map = Philippines.A2002088.0220.1km.jpg
| continent = [[Asia]]
| region = [[Southeast Asia]]
| coordinates = 13°00'N 122°00'E
| area ranking = 64th
| km area = 343,448<ref>https://www.gov.ph/about-the-philippines</ref>
| percent land = 99.38
| km coastline = 36289
| borders = None
<!-- | northernmost point = [[Y'Ami island]] -->
<!-- | southernmost point = [[Saluag Island of Sibutu Islands]] -->
<!-- | easternmost point = [[Pusan Point]], Davao Oriental -->
<!-- | westernmost point = [[Spratlys]]<br /> 112°00'E -->
| geographic center =
| highest point = [[Mount Apo]]<br />{{convert|2,954|m}}<ref name="peaklist">{{cite web|url=http://www.peaklist.org/WWlists/ultras/philippines.html|title=Philippines Mountain Ultra-Prominence|publisher=peaklist.org|accessdate=2009-06-19}}</ref><ref>(2011-04-06). [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rp.html "The World Factbook – Philippines"]. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved on 2011-03-14.</ref>
| lowest point = [[Galathea Depth]]<br />{{convert|10,540|m}} ([[sea level]])
| longest river = [[Cagayan River]]
| largest lake = [[Laguna de Bay]]
}}

The '''[[Philippines]]''' is an [[archipelago]] that consists of 7,641 islands<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/555068/news/nation/namria-discovers-400-to-500-new-islands-in-phl-archipelago|title=Namria discovers 400 to 500 new islands in PHL archipelago|publisher=}}</ref> with a total land area of {{convert|343448|km2|sp=us|0}}.<ref name="The Philippines">{{cite web|title=The Philippines|url=https://www.gov.ph/about-the-philippines/|website=Republic of the Philippines, National Government Portal|accessdate=16 December 2017}}</ref> The 11 largest islands contain 95% of the total land area. The largest of these islands is [[Luzon]] at about {{convert|105000|km2|sp=us|0}}. The next largest island is [[Mindanao]] at about {{convert|95000|km2|sp=us|0}}. The archipelago is around {{convert|800|km|sp=us}} from the [[Asia]]n mainland and is located between [[Taiwan]] and [[Borneo]].

The Philippine archipelago is divided into three [[Island groups of the Philippines|island groups]]: [[Luzon]], [[Visayas]], and [[Mindanao]]. The Luzon islands include Luzon itself, [[Palawan]], [[Mindoro]], [[Marinduque]], [[Masbate Island|Masbate]], [[Romblon]], [[Catanduanes]], [[Batanes]] and [[Polillo Island|Polilio]]. The Visayas is the group of islands in the central Philippines, the largest of which are: [[Panay]], [[Negros (Philippines)|Negros]], [[Cebu]], [[Bohol]], [[Leyte]], [[Samar]], [[Siquijor]], [[Biliran]] and [[Guimaras]]. The Mindanao islands include Mindanao itself, [[Dinagat Island|Dinagat]], [[Siargao]], [[Camiguin]], [[Samal, Davao del Norte|Samal]], plus the [[Sulu Archipelago]], composed primarily of [[Basilan]], [[Sulu]], and [[Tawi-Tawi]].

{{TOC limit|4}}

==Physical geography==
[[File:Ph Territorial Map.png|thumb|upright=1.4|Territorial limits of the Philippines]]

The Philippine archipelago lies in [[Southeast Asia]] in a position that has led to its becoming a cultural crossroads - a place where Malays, Hindus, Arabs, Chinese, Spaniards, Americans, and others had interacted to forge a unique cultural and racial blend. The archipelago numbers some 7,641 islands,<ref>{{cite web|title=Namria discovers 400 to 500 new islands in PHL archipelago|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/555068/namria-discovers-400-to-500-new-islands-in-phl-archipelago/story/|website=GMA News|publisher=GMA News|accessdate=24 October 2017}}</ref> and the nation claims an [[exclusive economic zone]] (EEZ) of {{convert|200|nmi|km|sp=us}} from its shores. The Philippines occupies an area that stretches for {{convert|1850|km|sp=us}} from about the fifth to the twentieth parallels north latitude. The total land area is {{convert|343448|km2|sp=us|0}}.<ref name="The Philippines"/> Only approximately 1,000 of its islands are populated, and fewer than one-half of these are larger than {{convert|2.5|km2|sp=us|0}}. Eleven islands make up 95 percent of the Philippine landmass, and two of these — Luzon and Mindanao — measure {{convert|105000|km2|sp=us|0}} and {{convert|95000|km2|sp=us|0}}, respectively. They, together with the cluster of islands in Visayas in between them, represent the three principal regions of the archipelago that are identified by the three stars on the [[Flag of the Philippines|Philippine flag]]. The Philippines is broken up by the sea, which gives it one of the longest coastlines of any nation in the world.

Off the coast of eastern Mindanao is the [[Philippine Trench]], which descends to a depth of {{convert|10430|m|sp=us}}. The Philippines is part of a western Pacific arc system characterized by active volcanoes. Among the most notable peaks are [[Mount Mayon]] near [[Legazpi, Albay|Legazpi City]], [[Taal Volcano]] south of [[Manila]], and [[Mount Apo]] in Mindanao. All of the Philippine islands are prone to earthquakes. The northern Luzon highlands, or Cordillera Central, rise to between {{convert|2500|m|sp=us}} and {{convert|2750|m|sp=us}}, and, together with the [[Sierra Madre (Philippines)|Sierra Madre]] in the northeastern portion of Luzon and the mountains of Mindanao, boast rain forests that provide refuge for numerous upland tribal groups. The rain forests also offer prime habitat for more than 500 species of birds, including the [[Philippine eagle]] (or monkey-eating eagle), some 1,100 species of [[List of the orchids of the Philippines|orchids]], and some 8,500 species of flowering plants.

The country's most extensive river systems are the [[Pulangi River]], which flows into the [[Mindanao River]] (Rio Grande de Mindanao); the [[Agusan River|Agusan]], in Mindanao which flows north into the [[Mindanao Sea]]; the [[Cagayan River|Cagayan]] in northern Luzon; and the [[Pampanga River|Pampanga]], which flows south from east Central Luzon into [[Manila Bay]]. [[Laguna de Bay]], east of Manila Bay, is the largest freshwater lake in the Philippines. Several rivers have been harnessed for hydroelectric power.

To protect the country's biological resources, the government has taken a first step of preparing a [[Biodiversity Action Plan]] to address conservation of threatened [[species]].

===Topography===
[[File:MajorVolcanoesOfThePhilippines-USGS.gif|thumb|Major volcanoes in the Philippines]]

The islands are volcanic in origin, being part of the [[Pacific Ring of Fire]], and are mostly mountainous. The highest point in the country is the peak of [[Mount Apo]] in [[Mindanao]], which is {{convert|2954|m|sp=us}} above sea level. The second highest point can be found on [[Luzon]] at [[Mount Pulag]], a peak {{convert|2842|m|sp=us}} above sea level.

The [[Philippine Archipelago]] is geologically part of the [[Philippine Mobile Belt]] located between the [[Philippine Sea Plate]], the South China Sea Basin of the [[Eurasian Plate]], and the [[Sunda Plate]]. The [[Philippine Trench]] (also called the Mindanao Trench) is a [[submarine trench]] {{convert|1320|km|sp=us}} in length found directly east of the Philippine Mobile Belt and is the result of a collision of tectonic plates. The Philippine Sea Plate is [[subducting]] under the Philippine Mobile Belt at the rate of about {{convert|16|cm|sp=us}} per year. Its deepest point, the Galathea Depth, has a depth of {{convert|10540|m|sp=us}}. The [[Philippine Fault System]] consists of a series of seismic [[fault (geology)|faults]] that produce several [[earthquake]]s per year, most of which are not felt.

Many volcanoes in the country are active, the most recent eruption being that of [[Mount Pinatubo]] on Luzon in 1991. [[Mount Mayon]] is another of the active volcanoes and has the world's most perfectly shaped cone. Mayon has a violent history of 47 eruptions since 1616 and another violent eruption is currently feared. [[Taal Volcano]], also located on Luzon, is one of the [[Decade Volcanoes]].

Most of the islands used to be covered by [[rainforest|tropical rainforests]]. However, [[illegal logging]] has reduced forest cover to less than 10% of the total land area.

----
{{Major geographic features of the Philippines overlay}}
----

====Luzon====
[[File:Northern Philippines (Luzon).jpg|thumb|left|[[Luzon]] in satellite image]]

{{multiple image|caption_align=center|header_align=center
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| width = 200
File:La Paz Sand Dunes.jpg
| image1 = La Paz Sand Dunes.jpg
| alt1 = The La Paz San Dunes in Laoag, part of the Ilocos coastline
| caption1 = The La Paz San Dunes in [[Laoag]], part of the Ilocos coastline
| image2 = UpperUma2206.jpg
| alt2 = Pasil Valley in Kalinga, part of the Cordillera Central mountain range
| caption2 = Pasil Valley in [[Kalinga (province)|Kalinga]] of the Cordillera Central
| image3 = Gabaldon,NuevaEcijajf9578 06.JPG
| alt3 = The Sierra Madre Mountains as viewed from San Antonio
| caption3 = The Sierra Madre Mountains viewed from [[Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija|Gabaldon]]
| image4 = Manila Bay with Mount Arayat.jpg
| alt4 = The plains of Central Luzon, with Mount Arayat in the background
| caption4 = The plains of Central Luzon, showing the [[Manila Bay]] with [[Mount Arayat]] in the background
| image5 = SanNarciso,Zambalesjf0676 14.JPG
| alt5 = The Zambales Mountains as viewed from San Narciso
| caption5 = The Zambales Mountains as viewed from [[San Narciso, Zambales|San Narciso]]
| image6 = Mount Banahaw volcano complex as seen from Cardona, Rizal.jpg
| alt6 = Laguna de Bay at Cardona, with the Banahaw volcano complex in the distance
| caption6 = Laguna de Bay at [[Cardona, Rizal|Cardona]], with the [[Mount Banahaw|Banahaw volcano complex]] in the distance
| image7 = Legazpi view from Lamba.jpg
| alt7 = Mayon Volcano
| caption7 = [[Mayon Volcano]] overlooking the city of [[Legazpi, Philippines|Legazpi]].
}}

=====The Batanes and Babuyan islands=====
The [[Batanes]] and [[Babuyan Islands]] are situated on the northernmost extremity of the Philippines at [[Luzon Strait]] facing Taiwan. It contains the northernmost point of land, the islet of Y'Ami in the Batanes Islands, separated from Taiwan by the [[Bashi Channel]] (c.{{convert|80.4672|km|sp=us}} wide).

=====Western Luzon=====
This region stretches from [[Mairaira Point]] in [[Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte]] in the north to [[Cochinos Point]] in [[Mariveles, Bataan]] in the south. The terrain ranges from coastal plains to rugged mountains bordered by the [[South China Sea]] in the west and the [[Cordillera Central (Luzon)|Cordillera Central]] and [[Zambales Mountains|Zambales mountain range]]s in the east. Western Luzon is known for its beaches, surf spots and historic towns.

=====Cagayan Valley=====
Nestled between the Cordilleras in the east and the [[Sierra Madre (Philippines)|Sierra Madre]] mountain ranges in the west is the Cagayan Valley, also the name of [[Cagayan Valley|the administrative region]] which it covers. Through its center runs the country's longest river, the [[Cagayan River|Cagayan]], flowing in a northward direction before emptying its waters in the [[Luzon Strait]] at the town of [[Aparri, Cagayan|Aparri]].
{{further|Cagayan Valley}}

=====Cordilleras and Caraballos=====
The Cordilleras and [[Caraballo Mountains|Caraballos]], together with the Sierra Madre Range, form the main mountain system in Northern Luzon.

The Cordilleras consists of 2, sometimes 3, mountain ranges that are found in northwestern central Luzon. The first, called ''Caraballo del Sur'', forms the nucleus of the system and has its highest peaks in the border between the provinces of [[Abra (province)|Abra]], [[Ilocos Norte]] and [[Cagayan]]. ''Caraballo Occidentalles'', is further divided into 2 ranges, the Cordillera Norte and Cordillera Central.{{citation needed|date=January 2016}} They line the central portions of the [[Cordillera Administrative Region]].
{{further2|[[Cordillera Central (Luzon)|Cordillera Central]]}}

The Caraballos (''Caraballo de Baler'') start where the Sierra Madre and the Cordilleras meet. They are found south of Cagayan Valley, northeast of the Central Luzon Plains.

=====Sierra Madre Mountains=====
Lying in the eastern portion of Luzon is the longest mountain range in the Philippines, the [[Sierra Madre (Philippines)|Sierra Madre]], stretching from [[Quezon]] province in the south to [[Cagayan]] in the north. 80 percent of the mountain range is [[tropical rainforest]], which is diminishing from rampant illegal logging activity. The range serves as the eastern wall of Luzon Island that protects inhabitants from [[tropical cyclone]]s usually coming from the [[Pacific Ocean]].

=====Central Luzon Plains=====
The largest plain of the nation is situated in the [[Central Luzon]] region and produces most of the national rice supply, earning itself the nickname "''Rice Bowl of the Philippines''". The plains encompass the provinces of [[Bulacan]], [[Nueva Ecija]], [[Pampanga]], [[Tarlac]] and [[Pangasinan]].

=====Manila-Katagalugan plains=====
South of the Central Luzon plains lies the largest inland freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, the [[Laguna de Bay]]. To the east of the lake is a plain that stretches westward to the [[Manila Bay]]. Large rivers from bays and mountain springs traverse the plain. In the northern part of the region, that is, [[Manila]] and [[Rizal]], most of the plain had been converted into cities and towns, and are thus industrialized. Lying east of the lake is the southern terminus of the Sierra Madre mountain range at northern [[Quezon]] province.

To the southwest of the Laguna de Bay is the nation's third largest lake, the [[Taal Lake|Taal]], bordered to the north by the [[Tagaytay Ridge]], a [[ridge]] stretching from southern [[Cavite]] to northern [[Batangas]] provinces.

=====Bondoc Peninsula=====
The Bondoc Peninsula is located in the southeastern part of Quezon Province.
{{further|Bondoc Peninsula}}

=====Bicol peninsula=====
Southeast of Laguna de Bay lies the [[Bicol Peninsula]], connected to [[mainland]] Luzon by the [[Tayabas Isthmus|isthmus of Tayabas]]. The predominantly flat landscape features several solitary peaks, usually [[List of active volcanoes in the Philippines|active volcanoes]], which include [[Mount Iriga|Iriga]], [[Mount Mayon|Mayon]] and [[Mount Bulusan|Bulusan]].

The peninsula has an irregular [[coastline]] that features large bays and gulfs, which include the [[Lamon Bay]], [[San Miguel Bay]], [[Lagonoy Gulf]], and [[Albay Gulf]] to the north, and the [[Tayabas Bay]], [[Ragay Gulf]] and [[Sorsogon Bay]] to the south.

=====Mindoro island=====

======Mindoro coastal plains======
Mindoro's coastal plains are characterized by rice and corn fields, rivers, beaches, and extensive open space areas. Most of the population is concentrated on the northern and eastern coast of this island where the city of [[Calapan]] and [[Puerto Galera]] are located.

======Mindoro highlands======
The Mindoro mountain range begins with [[Mount Halcon]] and is further divided into 3. The northwest ends at [[Calavite Point]] and is a landmark for ships. The east originates from [[Lake Naujan]] and the west follows the [[Mindoro Strait]].

=====Palawan=====

======Kalayaan islands (Spratly Islands)======
The [[Kalayaan Islands]] are located to the west of [[Palawan]]. ''Kalayaan'' is a Filipino word meaning "freedom".

{{Further|Spratly islands}}

====Visayas====

=====Catbalogan plains=====
{{Empty section|date=January 2016}}

=====Panay-Negros-Cebu area=====
{{Empty section|date=January 2016}}

====Mindanao====

=====Eastern Pacific Cordillera=====
The eastern coast of Mindanao features a long mountain range, the [[Eastern Pacific Cordillera]], which stretches from [[Bilar Point]] at Surigao in the north to [[Cape San Agustin]] at Davao in the south. Forming its northern portion are the [[Diwata Mountains]] (also spelled ''Diuata''), separated from the south by low [[mountain pass|passes]] situated at the middle. To the east of the range are narrow strips of lowland that feature several inlets and bays, the most prominent of which include the [[Lianga Bay|Lianga]] and [[Bislig Bay|Bislig]] bays.<ref name=ThePhilippineIslandWorld>{{cite book|last1=Wernstedt|first1=Frederick L.|last2=Spencer|first2=Joseph Earl|title=The Philippine Island World: A Physical, Cultural, and Regional Geography|date=1978|publisher=University of California Press|location=Berkeley|isbn=9780520035133|pages=32–37|url=https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=6Pn0Pfh1Cl0C&dq|accessdate=27 January 2016}}</ref><ref name=HumanHelminthiases>{{cite book|last1=Hinz|first1=Erhard|title=Human Helminthiases in the Philippines the Epidemiological and Geomedical Situation|date=1985|publisher=Springer Berlin Heidelberg|location=Berlin, Heidelberg|isbn=9783642708411|pages=129–131|url=https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=_PvsCAAAQBAJ&dq|accessdate=27 January 2016}}</ref>

=====Davao-Agusan Trough=====
To the west of the Pacific Cordillera lies an extensive lowland, the [[Davao-Agusan Trough]]. Its northern portion includes the [[Agusan Valley]] which forms the lower [[river basin]] of the [[Agusan River]]. The river flows in a northward direction and empties into the [[Iligan Bay]]. Draining the southern portion of the lowland are several other rivers, which include the [[Tagum River|Tagum]], flowing southward to the [[Davao Gulf]].<ref name=ThePhilippineIslandWorld /><ref name=HumanHelminthiases />

=====Central Mindanao highlands=====
Situated west of the Davao-Agusan Trough is a complex series of mountain ranges called the [[Central Mindanao Highlands]] (also known as the ''Central Cordillera''). From these mountains form the [[headwaters]] of several rivers which include the [[Rio Grande de Mindanao]], [[Pulangi River|Pulangi]], [[Maridagao River|Maridagao]] and [[Tagoloan River|Tagoloan]] rivers. Several tall mountains, such as [[Mount Apo]], the country's highest are found within the range.<ref name=ThePhilippineIslandWorld />

=====Bukidnon-Lanao plateaus=====
The north-central portion of Mindanao is dominated by an extensive highland region, the [[Bukidnon-Lanao Plateau]], which includes the [[Kitanglad Mountain Range|Kitanglad]] and [[Kalatungan Mountain Range|Kalatungan]] mountain ranges. Within the plateau lies the country's second largest lake, [[Lake Lanao]] situated at an elevation of 2,296 feet, drained by the [[Agus River]] flowing northward to its [[river mouth]] at [[Iligan Bay]].<ref name=ThePhilippineIslandWorld />

=====Cotabato Basin=====
South of the Bukidnon-Lanao Plateau lies a large [[depression (geology)|depression]], the Cotabato Basin, which forms the lower river basin of the country's second largest river system, the [[Rio Grande de Cagayan]] (also known as the ''Mindanao River''). Surrounded by three mountain ranges, the basin's only opening to the sea is to the northwest at [[Illana Bay]], where the Mindanao River empties into the ocean.<ref name=ThePhilippineIslandWorld /><ref name=HumanHelminthiases />

To the southeast of the main basin are two large valleys, the [[Koronadal Valley|Koronadal]] and [[Allah Valley|Allah]] valleys.<ref name=ThePhilippineIslandWorld />

=====Tiruray highlands=====
Situated south and west of the Cotabato Basin are a moderately high mountain range, the [[Tiruray Highlands]], which block off the Basin from the southern coastline.<ref name=HumanHelminthiases /> South of the highlands are narrow strips of coastlines.<ref name=ThePhilippineIslandWorld />

=====Zamboanga peninsula=====
At the northwestern tip of Mindanao is the generally mountainous [[Zamboanga Peninsula (geographical region)|Zamboanga Peninsula]]. The chain of mountain ranges in this region is called ''[[Zamboanga Cordilleras]]'', with the highest elevation at [[Mount Dapi]], which is {{convert|2617|m|sp=us}} high.

The southern coastline is irregular, featuring two smaller peninsulas, the [[Sibuguey Peninsula|Sibuguey]] and [[Baganian Peninsula|Baganian]], extending southward to the [[Moro Gulf]].<ref name=ThePhilippineIslandWorld />

=====Outlying islands of Mindanao=====

======Dinagat and Siargao islands======
To the north of the [[Diwata Mountains]] at northeast Mindanao lie [[Siargao]] island and the [[Dinagat Islands|Dinagat group of islands]].<ref name=ThePhilippineIslandWorld />

=====Sulu archipelago=====
Southwest of the Zamboanga Peninsula is the [[Sulu Archipelago]], a chain of islands which comprise the smaller archipelago provinces of [[Basilan]], [[Sulu]], and [[Tawi-Tawi]].<ref name=ThePhilippineIslandWorld />

==Administrative geography==
{{Details|Administrative divisions of the Philippines}}

The Philippines is divided into a hierarchy of local government units (LGUs) with the 81 [[Provinces of the Philippines|provinces]] and 38 [[Cities of the Philippines|independent cities]] as the primary unit. Provinces are further subdivided into [[Cities of the Philippines|component cities]] and [[Philippine municipality|municipalities]], both of which consist of [[barangay]]s, the smallest local government unit.

===Regions===
There are 17 [[Regions of the Philippines|regions]] comprising the Philippines. Each region, with the exception of the [[Metro Manila|National Capital Region]], is further subdivided into component [[Philippine provinces|provinces]]. The [[Metro Manila|National Capital Region]] is divided into four [[Administrative divisions of Metro Manila#Districts|special districts]].

Most government offices establish regional offices in a city to serve the constituent provinces. Such cities are designated as "regional centers". The regions themselves do not possess a separate local government, with the exception of the [[Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao]].

{{further|Regions of the Philippines}}

===Provinces===
Forming the regions, with the exception of the [[Metro Manila|National Capital]], are the 81 [[Philippine provinces|provinces]]. Each province has a [[capital city|capital city or municipality]].

{{further|Provinces of the Philippines#List of provinces}}

====Landlocked and island provinces====
Of the 81 provinces of the Philippines, 15 are ''[[landlocked]]'', and 16 are ''island provinces''.

{{col-begin|width=auto}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto;font-size:90%;line-height:1.35em;text-align:center;background-color:#FEFEFE;border-color:black;"
|+Landlocked provinces
! scope="col" style="width:10em;background-color:#FDF1D6;" | Province
! scope="col" style="width:5em;background-color:#FDF1D6;" data-sort-type="number" | Region
! scope="col" style="width:5em;background-color:#FDF1D6;" | Island
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Apayao]]
| data-sort-value="14" | [[Cordillera Administrative Region|CAR]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Abra (province)|Abra]]
| data-sort-value="14" | [[Cordillera Administrative Region|CAR]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Kalinga (province)|Kalinga]]
| data-sort-value="14" | [[Cordillera Administrative Region|CAR]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Mountain Province]]
| data-sort-value="14" | [[Cordillera Administrative Region|CAR]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Ifugao]]
| data-sort-value="14" | [[Cordillera Administrative Region|CAR]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Benguet]]
| data-sort-value="14" | [[Cordillera Administrative Region|CAR]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Nueva Vizcaya]]
| data-sort-value="2" | [[Cagayan Valley|II]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Quirino]]
| data-sort-value="2" | [[Cagayan Valley|II]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Nueva Ecija]]
| data-sort-value="3" | [[Central Luzon|III]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Tarlac]]
| data-sort-value="3" | [[Central Luzon|III]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | ''[[Laguna (province)|Laguna]]''&nbsp;{{ref label|lake|A|A}}
| data-sort-value="4.1" | [[CALABARZON|IV-A]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | ''[[Rizal]]''&nbsp;{{ref label|lake|A|A}}
| data-sort-value="4.1" | [[CALABARZON|IV-A]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Bukidnon]]
| data-sort-value="10" | [[Northern Mindanao|X]]
| Mindanao
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[North Cotabato]]
| data-sort-value="12" | [[SOCCSKSARGEN|XII]]
| Mindanao
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Agusan del Sur]]
| data-sort-value="13" | [[Caraga|XIII]]
| Mindanao
|-class="sortbottom" style="background-color:#F2F2F2;"
| colspan=3 |
{{note label|lake|A|A}}These provinces have coastlines on [[Laguna de Bay]], a large lake. Since lakes do not allow access to seaborne trade, they are considered to be landlocked.
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto;width:25em;font-size:90%;line-height:1.35em;text-align:center;background-color:#FDFDFD;border-color:black;"
|+Island provinces
! scope="col" style="width:10em;background-color:#CEF2F2;" | Province
! scope="col" style="width:5em;background-color:#CEF2F2;" data-sort-type="number" | Region
! scope="col" style="width:5em;background-color:#CEF2F2;" | [[Island groups of the Philippines|Island&nbsp;group]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Batanes]]
| data-sort-value="2" | [[Cagayan Valley|II]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Marinduque]]
| data-sort-value="4.2" | [[MIMAROPA|IV-B]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Romblon]]
| data-sort-value="4.2" | [[MIMAROPA|IV-B]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Palawan]]
| data-sort-value="4.2" | [[MIMAROPA|IV-B]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Catanduanes]]
| data-sort-value="5" | [[Bicol Region|V]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Masbate]]
| data-sort-value="5" | [[Bicol Region|V]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Guimaras]]
| data-sort-value="6" | [[Western Visayas|VI]]
| Visayas
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Cebu]]
| data-sort-value="7" | [[Central Visayas|VII]]
| Visayas
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Bohol]]
| data-sort-value="7" | [[Central Visayas|VII]]
| Visayas
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Siquijor]]
| data-sort-value="7" | [[Central Visayas|VII]]
| Visayas
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Biliran]]
| data-sort-value="8" | [[Eastern Visayas|VIII]]
| Visayas
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Camiguin]]
| data-sort-value="10" | [[Northern Mindanao|X]]
| Mindanao
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Dinagat Islands]]
| data-sort-value="13" | [[Caraga|XIII]]
| Mindanao
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Basilan]]
| data-sort-value="14" | [[Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao|ARMM]]
| Mindanao
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Sulu]]
| data-sort-value="14" | [[Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao|ARMM]]
| Mindanao
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Tawi-Tawi]]
| data-sort-value="14" | [[Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao|ARMM]]
| Mindanao
|}
{{col-end}}

==Climate==
{{Main|Climate of the Philippines}}
[[File:Philippines map of Köppen climate classification.svg|thumb|upright=1.3|Philippines map of Köppen climate classification.]]

The Philippines has a [[tropical climate]] dominated by a rainy season and a dry season, although certain locations have no dry season (meaning, all months have an average rainfall of above 60&nbsp;mm) and certain higher-altitude areas can have a [[subtropical climate]]. The summer monsoon brings heavy rains to most of the archipelago from May to October, whereas the winter monsoon brings relatively cooler and drier air from December to February. Manila and most of the lowland areas are hot and dusty from March to May. Even at this time, however, temperatures rarely rise above {{convert|37|°C|1}}. Mean annual sea-level temperatures rarely fall below {{convert|27|°C|1}}. Annual rainfall measures as much as {{convert|5000|mm|in|1|sp=us}} in the mountainous east coast section of the country, but less than {{convert|1000|mm|in|1|sp=us}} in some of the sheltered valleys.

Monsoon rains, although hard and drenching, are not normally associated with high winds and waves. But the Philippines sit astride the typhoon belt, and it suffers an annual onslaught of dangerous storms from July through October. These are especially hazardous for northern and eastern Luzon and the [[Bicol Region|Bicol]] and [[Eastern Visayas]] regions, but Manila gets devastated periodically as well.

In the last decade, the Philippines has been hit severely by natural disasters. In 2005 alone, Central Luzon was hit by both a drought, which sharply curtailed hydroelectric power, and by a typhoon that flooded practically all of low-lying Manila's streets. Still more damaging was the 1990 earthquake that devastated a wide area in Luzon, including Baguio and other northern areas. The city of Cebu and nearby areas were struck by a typhoon that killed more than a hundred people, sank vessels, destroyed part of the sugar crop, and cut off water and electricity for several days. The Philippines is prone to about 6-9 storms which make landfall each year, on average. The 1991 [[Mount Pinatubo]] eruption also damaged much of Central Luzon, the lahar burying towns and farmland, and the ashes affecting global temperatures.

Building construction is undertaken with natural disasters in mind. Most rural housing has consisted of nipa huts that are easily damaged but are inexpensive and easy to replace. Most urban buildings are steel and concrete structures designed (not always successfully) to resist both typhoons and earthquakes. Damage is still significant, however, and many people are displaced each year by typhoons, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. In 1987 alone the Department of Social Welfare and Development helped 2.4 million victims of natural disasters.

==Statistics==

===CIA Statistics===
Unless otherwise indicated, the information below is taken from CIA Factbook information for the Philippines.<ref name=factbook-ph />

====Area====
* Total: {{convert|300000|km2|0}}
** Land: {{convert|298170|km2|0}}
** Water: {{convert|1830|km2|0}}

====Coastline====
* {{convert|36289|km}}

====Maritime claims====
(measured from claimed [[baselines of the Philippines|archipelagic baselines]])
* Continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
* Exclusive economic zone: {{convert|200|nmi|km|lk=in}}
Territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to {{convert|100|nmi}} from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to {{convert|285|nmi}} in breadth.

{{Oceans and seas in the Philippines location map}}

====Natural resources====
* [[Timber]], [[petroleum]], [[nickel]], [[cobalt]], [[silver]], [[gold]], [[salt]], and [[copper]].

====Land use====
* Arable land: 19%
* Permanent crops: 16.67%
* Other: 64.33% (2005)

====Irrigated land====
* {{convert|15500|km2|0|sp=us}} (2003)

====Natural hazards====
The Philippines sit astride [[typhoon]] belt and are usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; [[tsunami]]s.

====Environment - current issues====
*Uncontrolled deforestation in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in Manila; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps which are important fish breeding grounds; severe water pollution that caused the death of one of the country's major rivers, though there are ongoing efforts at resuscitation.<ref>Cezar Tigno, [http://www.adb.org/water/actions/phi/pasig-river-resuscitating.asp Resuscitating the Pasig River], Asian Development Bank, April 2009.</ref>

Also [[Typhoon Haiyan]] in November 2013 caused major problems.

====Environment - international agreements====
*Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
*Signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification

===Subnational enclaves and exclaves===
In [[political geography]], an [[enclave]] is a territory or part of a territory lying wholly within the boundaries of another, and an [[exclave]] is one which is politically attached to a larger piece but not actually contiguous with it. Many entities are both enclaves and exclaves, but the two are not synonymous.

====Exclaves which are not enclaves====
* [[Caloocan City]] is divided in two by [[Valenzuela, Metro Manila|Valenzuela City]] and [[Quezon City]].
* In [[Cotabato]] province, the municipality of [[President Roxas, Cotabato|President Roxas]] is divided in two by [[Antipas, Cotabato|Antipas]] municipality.

====Pene-enclaves/exclaves and inaccessible districts====
* In [[SoCCSKSarGen]], [[Sarangani]] province is divided by [[General Santos City]] or [[Sarangani Bay]].
* In [[Zamboanga Peninsula]]:
** [[Isabela, Basilan|Isabela City]] is part of this region (although it is the capital of the [[Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao|ARMM]] province of [[Basilan]]), but it is separated from it by Basilan Strait.
* [[Zamboanga del Sur]] — [[Zamboanga City]], a chartered city, is unofficially part of this province but is separated from it by [[Zamboanga Sibugay]].

===Subnational quadripoint===
A [[quadripoint]] is a point on the Earth that touches four distinct regions. Such points are often called "four corners", from the corners of the four regions meeting there.
* Four provinces in Mindanao meet at a point at the summit of [[Mount Apo]]: [[Bukidnon]] of Northern Mindanao Region, [[Davao del Norte]] and [[Davao del Sur]] of Davao Region, and [[Cotabato Province]] of [[SOCCSKSARGEN|Soccsksargen]]

====More than four====
Four distinct geographic divisions converging at a single point is not uncommon in the Philippines, and there are other points of convergence between five or more divisions that can be found.

{{col-begin|width=auto}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;margin:auto;"
|-
! Count
! scope="col" | Cities/municipalities
! scope="col" | Location
|-
! scope="row" | 5
| {{hlist | [[Tagkawayan, Quezon|Tagkawayan]] | [[Labo, Camarines Norte|Labo]] | [[San Lorenzo Ruiz, Camarines Norte|San Lorenzo Ruiz]] | [[San Vicente, Camarines Norte|San Vicente]] | [[Del Gallego, Camarines Sur|Del Gallego]] }}
| [[Camarines Norte]], [[Camarines Sur]], [[Quezon]]
|-
! scope="row" | 5
| {{hlist | [[Cadiz, Negros Occidental|Cadiz]] | [[Sagay City|Sagay]] | [[Silay City|Silay]] | [[Talisay City, Negros Occidental|Talisay]] | [[Calatrava, Negros Occidental|Calatrava]] }}
| [[Negros Occidental]]
|-
! scope="row" | 5
| {{hlist | [[Batuan, Bohol|Batuan]] | [[Bilar, Bohol|Bilar]] | [[Carmen, Bohol|Carmen]] | [[Dimiao, Bohol|Dimiao]] | [[Valencia, Bohol|Valencia]] }}
| [[Bohol]]
|-
! scope="row" | 5
| {{hlist | [[Alicia, Bohol|Alicia]] | [[Dagohoy, Bohol|Dagohoy]] | [[Pilar, Bohol|Pilar]] | [[San Miguel, Bohol|San Miguel]] | [[Ubay, Bohol|Ubay]] }}
| [[Bohol]]
|-
! scope="row" | 5
| {{hlist | [[Baungon, Bukidnon|Baungon]] | [[Lantapan, Bukidnon|Lantapan]] | [[Sumilao, Bukidnon|Sumilao]] | [[Talakag, Bukidnon|Talakag]] | [[Malaybalay]] }}
| [[Bukidnon]]
|-
! scope="row" | 5
| {{hlist | [[Aleosan, Cotabato|Aleosan]] | [[Carmen, Cotabato|Carmen]] | [[Kabacan, Cotabato|Kabacan]] | [[Pikit, Cotabato|Pikit]] | [[Pagagawan, Maguindanao|Pagagawan]] }}
| [[Cotabato]], [[Maguindanao]]
|-
! scope="row" | 5
| {{hlist | [[Tibiao, Antique|Tibiao]] | [[Barbaza, Antique|Barbaza]] | [[Madalag, Aklan|Madalag]] | [[Libacao, Aklan|Libacao]] | [[Jamindan, Capiz|Jamindan]] }}
| [[Antique (province)|Antique]], [[Aklan]], [[Capiz (province)|Capiz]]
|-
! scope="row" | 6
| {{hlist | [[Basey, Samar|Basey]] | [[Marabut, Samar|Marabut]] | [[Balangkayan, Eastern Samar|Balangkayan]] | [[Llorente, Eastern Samar|Llorente]] | [[Balangiga, Eastern Samar|Balangiga]] | [[Lawaan, Eastern Samar|Lawaan]] }}
| [[Eastern Samar]], [[Samar (province)|Samar]]
|-
! scope="row" | 8
| {{hlist | [[Ligao City|Ligao]] | [[Legazpi, Albay|Legazpi]] | [[Tabaco City|Tabaco]] | [[Guinobatan, Albay|Guinobatan]] | [[Camalig, Albay|Camalig]] | [[Daraga, Albay|Daraga]] | [[Malilipot, Albay|Malilipot]] | [[Santo Domingo, Albay|Santo&nbsp;Domingo]] }}
| [[Albay]] (''[[Mayon Volcano]] crater'')
|}
{{col-break}}
[[File:Ph locator albay MAYON municipalities.png|thumb|center|Mayon shared by 8 cities/towns]]
{{col-end}}

===Geographic center===
{{contradict other|Extreme points of the Philippines|there|Geographic Center|date=January 2016}}

The island province of [[Marinduque]] prides itself as being the geographic center of the Philippines.<ref>[http://www.marinduque.gov.ph/regionaltourism.html Regional Tourism Stakeholders to meet in Marinduque], Marinduque.gov</ref> The Marinduque governor has stated that their claim to be the Geographical Center of the Philippines has received notice and support from the [[National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (Philippines)|National Mapping and Resource Information Authority]] (NAMRIA).<ref>[http://www.marinduque.gov.ph/sopa08.html STATE OF THE PROVINCE ADDRESS of Gov.JOSE ANTONIO N. CARRION, GOVERNOR OF MARINDUQUE], July 7, 2008.</ref> The Luzon Datum of 1911 in Marinduque is used as point number one for all map makers in the country.<ref>[http://www.marinduque.gov.ph/datum.html Luzon Datum of 1911], Marinduque.gov</ref>

The boundaries of the [[Philippine archipelago]] are described in Article III of the [[Treaty of Paris (1898)]], as comprising an [[irregular polygon]].<ref>[http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/sp1898.asp Treaty of Peace Between the United States and Spain], The Avalon project.</ref> A box enclosing that polygon would have corners at 20°N 116°E, 20°N 127°E, 4.75°N 127°E, 4.75°N 116°E. The center of this box would lie at 121.5 E, 12.375 N. That point lies roughly in the center of the [[Tablas Strait]] between the islands of [[Tablas Island|Tablas]] and [[Mindoro]].

''Republic Act No. 9522'', "An Act to Define the Baselines of the Territorial Sea of the Philippines",<ref>[http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2009/ra_9522_2009.html Republic Act No. 9522],''An Act to Define the Baselines of the Territorial Sea of the Philippines'', as amended by Section 1 of Republic Act No. 5446'', [http://www.lawphil.net The LawPhil project].</ref> describes an irregular polygon which fits within a box with its center at 121°44'47.45"E 12°46'6.1252"N, a point also roughly in the center of the Tablas Strait.

The ''CIA Factbook'' locates the Philippines at 13°N 122°E.<ref name=factbook-ph>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rp.html Philippines : Geography] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111070218/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rp.html |date=January 11, 2010 }}, CIA World Factbook.</ref>

The extreme points under Philippine control {{as of|2010|lc=on}} are:

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;width:70em;"
|-
! scope="col" rowspan=2 | Direction
! scope="col" rowspan=2 | Location
! scope="col" colspan=2 | Coordinates
|-
! scope="col" | [[Latitude]] (N)
! scope="col" | [[Longitude]] (E)
|-
! scope="row" | North
| Amianan Island, [[Batanes]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 21º7’18.41"
| style="text-align:center;" | 121º56’48.79"
|-
! scope="row" | East
| Pusan Point, [[Davao Oriental]]{{ref label|a|a|a}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 7º17’19.80"
| style="text-align:center;" | 126º36’18.26"
|-
! scope="row" | South
| Frances Reef, [[Tawi-Tawi]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 4º24’53.84"
| style="text-align:center;" | 119º14’50.71"
|-
! scope="row" | West
| [[Thitu Island]]{{ref label|b|b|b}}, [[Kalayaan, Palawan]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 11°3’10.19"
| style="text-align:center;" | 114°16’54.66"
|-class="sortbottom" style="background-color:#F2F2F2;"
| colspan=4 |
{{unbulleted list
| {{note label|a|a|a}}Pusan Point is the easternmost incorporated territory of the Philippines, but the [[Benham Plateau]] is the easternmost unincorporated territory of the Philippines.
| {{note label|b|b|b}}Thitu island is the westernmost of all the Spratly Island features controlled by the Philippines {{as of|2009|12|lc=on}}.
}}
|}
<!--
Enclosing box:
21 7 18.41 (21.121781)N
114 16 54.66 (114.28185)E 126 36 18.26 (126.605072)E
4 24 53.84 (4.414956)N
Center:
12.7683685 120.443461 (12 46 6.1278N 120 26 36.459E)
Using conversion tool at http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/DDDMMSS-decimal.html
-->
The center of a box enclosing these points would be located at 12°46’6.13"N, 120°26’36.46"E. That point is located in the [[Mindoro Strait]], about {{convert|12|km}} [[Boxing the compass|NNE]] of Apo Island, in [[Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro]].

{{Further|Extreme points of the Philippines}}

===Largest cities and towns===
{{Further|List of Philippine cities and municipalities by population}}

The following is a list of the most populous cities in the country, with their population according to the 2010 census. Component cities and municipalities of Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao are taken as one to show the extent of [[urbanization]].
{{Largest cities of the Philippines}}

==See also==
{{colbegin}}
* [[Island groups of the Philippines]]
** [[List of islands of the Philippines]]
* [[List of headlands of the Philippines]]
* [[List of mountains in the Philippines]]
** [[List of Ultras of the Philippines]]
* [[List of volcanoes in the Philippines]]
** [[List of active volcanoes in the Philippines]]
** [[List of potentially active volcanoes in the Philippines]]
** [[List of inactive volcanoes in the Philippines]]
* [[List of bays of the Philippines]]
* [[List of lakes of the Philippines]]
* [[List of rivers of the Philippines]]
* [[Extreme points of the Philippines]]
* [[Territories claimed by the Philippines]]
{{colend}}

==References==
{{Refbegin}}
{{loc}}
{{refend}}
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.tourism.gov.ph/explore Government Portal of the Republic of the Philippines ]

{{Geography of Asia}}
{{Asia topic|Climate of}}
{{Philippines topics}}

{{coord|13.000|N|122.000|E|source:eswiki|display=title}}

[[Category:Geography of the Philippines| ]]

[[bn:ফিলিপাইন#ভূগোল]]

Revision as of 00:39, 1 June 2018

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