PHILIPPINE HISTORYGeography

Geographic Highlights• TOTAL ISLANDS: 7,100 islands

• TOTAL LAND AREA: 300,000 sq. km

• PHILIPPINE DEEP – deepest point in Philippine waters @ 34,440 feet.

• MABUDIS – northernmost island, part of the Batanes is 78 mi. south of Taiwan.

• SALUAG – southernmost island, part of Sulu is 34 mi. from Borneo.

• SIERRA MADRE – longest mountain range in the Phil. From Cagayan to San Bernardino Strait.

• MT. APO –highest point in the Phil. @ 9,600 ft. located in Mindanao.

MABUDIS/MAVUDIS ISLAND

SALUAG ISLAND

SIERRA MADRE

MT. APO

Geographic Highlights• CAGAYAN RIVER – longest river in the Phil. @ 350km.

• LAGUNA DE BAY – largest lake in the Phil.

• SEASONS:

– SW Monsoon (Habagat): June – Oct. (Rainy Season)

– NE Monsoon (Amihan): Nov. – Feb. (Cool Season)

CAGAYAN RIVER

LAGUNA DE BAY

Geographic Highlights

• VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS:– 22 out of 402 volcanoes are

active.– After being dormant for

about 600 yrs., Mt. Pinatubo in Zambales erupted on June 15, 1991.

– Mt. Mayon in Albay erruption burried Cagsawa town in Feb 1, 1814.

• EARTHQUAKES: – Manila quake in June 3, 1863

destroyed many structures including Manila Cathedral & the Governor General’s palace in Intramuros forcing the Spanish colonial government to relocate to Malacañang.

– Baguio quake in July 16, 1990 yielded intensity 7.8.

– Tsunami struck Baler, Aurora in December 29, 1755.

– In August 17, 1976, an Intensity 8 earthquake in Moro Gulf generated a tsunami killing more than 3,000 persons along southwestern Mindanao

• As of March 2011– 80 provinces– 138 cities– 1,496 municipalities– 42,026 barangays

• Source: National Statistical Coordination Board

Influence of Geography• SHELTER

– Wood, bamboo and palm leaves (anahaw & nipa) typically used for walls & roofing.

– Stone houses of Ivatan people in Batanes.

– Samas people of Sulu, dependent on the sea build their houses on stilts.

– Badjaos live on their boats.

• IDENTITY– TAGALOGS (taga ilog) – live in a region of rivers.– ILONGGOS – attributed to the nose-like features of the river delta

of southern Panay.– MARANAOS (ranao) – referring to Lake Lanao.– TAUSUGS (tau) – man & (sug) – current.

Influence of Geography• POLITICS

– Communities near rivers & seas were seats of large political communities (Manila, Butuan, Jolo).

• SOCIO-ECONOMIC LIFE– Geographical proximity w/ neighboring territories open

opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges & trade.– Geographical features & climate impacts on economic life

devising ways & means of adaptation.

• RECSOURCES– Geographic location determines available natural resources &

sources of renewable energy & fresh water.

Philippine Resources• NATIVE PLANTS

“Star of Leyte” (Phalaenopsis Intermedia)

Mindanao Orchid (Dendrobium shuetzei

Waling-waling (Vanda sanderiana)

Philippine Resources• NATIVE ANIMALS

Tamaraw(Anoa mindorensis)

Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi)

Philippine freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis)