Editing Geography of the Philippines

{{Short description|none}}
{{Use Philippine English| date=August 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{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 = 72nd
| km area = 300,000<ref name="Boquet">{{cite book |last1=Boquet |first1=Yves |title=The Philippine Archipelago |date=April 19, 2017 |publisher=Springer |isbn=9783319519265 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=90C4DgAAQBAJ|page=15}}</ref><ref name="psa.gov.ph">{{cite web |url=https://psa.gov.ph/content/philippine-population-density-based-2015-census-population |title=Philippine Population Density (Based on the 2015 Census of Population) |date=September 1, 2016}}{{Better source needed|date=July 2020|reason=Source is not focused on geography.}}</ref><ref name="worldbank.org">{{cite web|url=http://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports.aspx?source=2&series=AG.SRF.TOTL.K2&country=SAU|title=World Development Indicators - DataBank|website=databank.worldbank.org}}</ref>
| percent land = 99.38
| km coastline = 36289
| exclusive economic zone = {{convert|2,263,816|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}
| borders = None
<!-- | northernmost point = [[Y'Ami island]] -->
<!-- | southernmost point = [[Saluag Island of Sibutu Islands]] -->
<!-- | easternmost point = [[Pusan Point]], Davao Oriental -->
<!-- | westernmost point = [[Spratly Islands]]<br />112°00'E -->
| geographic center =
| highest point = [[Mount Apo]]<br />{{convert|2,954|m|sp=us}}<ref name="peaklist">{{cite web|url=http://www.peaklist.org/WWlists/ultras/philippines.html|title=Philippines Mountain Ultra-Prominence|publisher=peaklist.org|access-date=June 19, 2009}}</ref><ref>(2011-04-06). [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/philippines/ "The World Factbook – Philippines"]. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved on March 14, 2011.</ref>
| lowest point = [[Emden Deep]]<br />{{convert|10,540|m|sp=us}} ([[sea level]])
| longest river = [[Cagayan River]]
| largest lake = [[Laguna de Bay]]
}}

The [[Philippines]] is an [[archipelago]] that comprises 7,641 islands,{{refn|The count of islands was pegged at 7,107 in 1945, and was updated to 7,641 in 2017 after the Philippine [[National Mapping and Resource Information Authority]] (NAMRIA) announced that it had identified 400 to 500 additional land features that might be considered islands.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/videos/2016/02/20/More-islands-more-fun-in-PH.html|title=More islands, more fun in PH|date=February 20, 2016|newspaper=CNN Philippines|access-date=August 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620024729/http://cnnphilippines.com/videos/2016/02/20/More-islands-more-fun-in-PH.html|archive-date=June 20, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=namria>{{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|date=February 12, 2016 }}</ref>}} and with a total land area of {{convert|300000|km2|sp=us|0}}, it is the world's fifth largest [[List of island countries|island country]].<ref name="psa.gov.ph"/><ref name="worldbank.org"/><ref name="world-atlas"/> The eleven 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 Asian mainland and is located between [[Taiwan]] and [[Borneo]].

The Philippine archipelago is divided into three [[Island groups of the Philippines|Island groups]]: [[Luzon]], the [[Visayas]], and [[Mindanao]]. The Luzon islands include Luzon itself, [[Palawan]], [[Mindoro]], [[Marinduque]], [[Masbate Island|Masbate]], [[Romblon]], [[Catanduanes]], [[Batanes]], and [[Polillo Island|Polillo]]. The Visayas is a 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]].

The Philippines lies between 4°23' and 21° North (N) latitude and between 116° and 127° East (E) longitude.

{{TOC limit|4}}

==Physical geography==
[[File:Carta hydrographica y chorographica de las Yslas Filipinas - Biblioteca Nacional de España.jpg|thumb|286x286px|Philippine archipelago, drawn by the Jesuit Father Pedro Murillo Velarde (1696--1753)]]
The Philippine archipelago lies in [[Southeast Asia]], and numbers some 7,641 islands.<ref name=namria /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://cnnphilippines.com/videos/2016/02/20/More-islands-more-fun-in-PH.html |title=More islands, more fun in PH |work=[[CNN Philippines]] |date=February 20, 2016 |access-date=July 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620024729/http://cnnphilippines.com/videos/2016/02/20/More-islands-more-fun-in-PH.html |archive-date=June 20, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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|300,000|km2|sp=us|0}},<ref name="Boquet"/><ref>{{cite journal |title=Land Use and Land Classification of the Philippines |journal=Infomapper |date=December 1991 |volume=1 |issue=2 |page=10 |issn=0117-1674 |url=http://www.namria.gov.ph/jdownloads/Info_Mapper/00a_im_dec911.pdf}}</ref><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|access-date=December 16, 2017|archive-date=December 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217013952/https://www.gov.ph/about-the-philippines/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="psa.gov.ph"/><ref name="worldbank.org"/> with cadastral survey data suggesting it may be larger.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dbm.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/DBM%20Publications/FPB/ZBB-2012/a.pdf |title=Assessment of the Effectiveness and Efficiency of the Cadastral Survey Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) |last1=Llanto |first1=Gilberto M. |last2=Rosellon |first2=Maureen Ane D. |publisher=Philippine Institute for Development Studies |access-date=January 17, 2021}}</ref> This makes it the fifth largest [[List of island countries|island country]] in the world.<ref name="world-atlas">{{cite web|url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/which-are-the-island-countries-of-the-world.html |title=Island Countries Of The World |publisher=WorldAtlas.com |access-date=August 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207094959/http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/which-are-the-island-countries-of-the-world.html | archive-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref> 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 into many islands by the [[sea]]. This gives it the fifth [[List of countries by length of coastline|longest coastline]] of {{convert|36289|km|mi|sp=us}} in the world.<ref name=aboutpmusic>{{cite web|url=http://aboutphilippines.ph/filer/toledo-cebu/PHILIPPINE%20MUSIC.pdf|date=June 20, 2015 |title=PHILIPPINE MUSIC|publisher=Balikbayan family-union – AboutPhilippines|author1=Anupol|author2=Cayabyab|author3=Chua|author4=Luarca|author5=Shimamoto|author6=Torio|author7=Yumol}}{{dead link|date=February 2018|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><!--says the coastline is 17,500 km--><ref name="CIAfields"><!--says the coastline is 36,289&nbsp;km and that only Canada, Russia, Indonesia, and Greenland have longer coastlines-->Central Intelligence Agency. (2009). [https://web.archive.org/web/20070613004524/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2060.html "Field Listing :: Coastline"]. Washington, D.C.: Author. Retrieved 2009-11-07.</ref> The [[Exclusive economic zone of the Philippines]] covers {{convert|2263816|km²|sqmi|abbr=on}}, {{convert|200|nmi|km|sp=us}} from its shores.<ref>[http://www.seaaroundus.org/eez/summaryInfo.aspx?eez=608# Exclusive Economic Zones] – Sea Around Us Project – Fisheries, Ecosystems & Biodiversity – Data and Visualization.</ref> It is located between 116°&nbsp;40', and 126°&nbsp;34' E longitude and 4°&nbsp;40' and 21°&nbsp;10' N latitude and is bordered by the [[Philippine Sea]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090820123304/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761580288/Philippine_Sea.html Philippine Sea], [http://encarta.msn.com/ encarta.msn.com] {{webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/5kvWPcsSb?url=http://encarta.msn.com/ |date=October 31, 2009 }} (archived from [http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761580288/Philippine_Sea.html the original] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090820123304/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761580288/Philippine_Sea.html |date=August 20, 2009 }} on August 20, 2009).</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2020}} to the east, the [[South China Sea]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130213111846/http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?ID=201302090013&Type=aIPL "U.S. report details rich resources in South China Sea."] (archived from [http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aIPL&ID=201302090013 the original] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203082913/http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aIPL&ID=201302090013 |date=December 3, 2021 }} on 2013-02-133)</ref> to the west, and the [[Celebes Sea]] to the south.<ref>C.Michael Hogan. 2011. [http://www.eoearth.org/article/Celebes_Sea?topic=49523 "Celebes Sea"]. ''Encyclopedia of Earth''. Eds. P. Saundry & C.J. Cleveland. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington, DC{{dead link|date=July 2020}}</ref> The island of [[Borneo]] is located a few hundred kilometers southwest<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/edens/borneo/awesome.html|title=An Awesome Island|website=Borneo: Island in the Clouds|publisher=PBS|access-date=November 11, 2012}}</ref> and Taiwan is located directly to the north. The [[Maluku Islands|Moluccas]] and [[Sulawesi]] are located to the south-southwest and [[Palau]] is located to the east of the islands.<ref name="About">{{cite web |date=March 9, 2009 |url=http://www.gov.ph/aboutphil/general.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309081519/http://www.gov.ph/aboutphil/general.asp |archive-date=March 9, 2009 |title=General Information |url-status=dead |access-date=September 21, 2014 }}. (older version – as it existed in 2009 – during the presidency of [[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]]), ''[http://www.gov.ph/ The Official Government Portal of the Republic of the Philippines] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930195314/http://www.gov.ph/ |date=September 30, 2007 }}''.</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2020}}

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 longest river is the [[Cagayan River]] in northern [[Luzon]], measuring about {{convert|520|km||abbr=|sp=us}}.<ref>{{cite web |author1=College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños |title=Climate-Responsive Integrated Master Plan for Cagayan River Basin; Volume I - Executive Summary |url=https://riverbasin.denr.gov.ph/masterplans/cagayanexecutivesummary.pdf |website=River Basin Control Office |publisher=Department of Environment and Natural Resources |access-date=July 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730173552/https://riverbasin.denr.gov.ph/masterplans/cagayanexecutivesummary.pdf |archive-date=July 30, 2020 |page=5 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Manila Bay]],<ref name="Jacinto et al (A)">Jacinto, G.S., Azanza, R.V., Velasquez, I.B. and Siringan, F.P.(2006)."Manila Bay:Environmental Challenges and Opportunities" in Wolanski, E.(ed.) The Environment in Asia Pacific Harbours. Springer: Dordrecht, Netherlands. p309-328.</ref> upon the shore of which the capital city of Manila lies, is connected to [[Laguna de Bay]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.llda.gov.ph/|title=Official Website of the Laguna Lake Development Authority|website=www.llda.gov.ph|access-date=August 18, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323222359/http://llda.gov.ph/|archive-date=March 23, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> the largest lake in the Philippines, by the [[Pasig River]].<ref name="rehabinfo">{{Cite web |url=http://www.hic-net.org/document.asp?PID=197 |title=Pasig River Rehabilitation Program |last1=Murphy |first1=Denis |last2=Anana |first2=Ted |date=2004 |website=Habitat International Coalition |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012123338/http://www.hic-net.org/document.asp?PID=197 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |access-date=January 4, 2021 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Subic Bay]],<ref name=geocurrents>{{cite web|title=Subic Bay: From American Servicemen to Korean Businessmen|url=http://geocurrents.info/geopolitics/subic-bay-from-american-servicemen-to-korean-businessmen|publisher=GeoCurrents|access-date=August 16, 2013|author=Martin W. Lewis|date=October 22, 2010}}</ref> [[Davao Gulf]],<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236001316 |author1=Bos A.R. |author2=H.M. Smits |title= First Record of the dottyback Manonichthys alleni (Teleostei: Perciformes: Pseudochromidae) from the Philippines |journal= Marine Biodiversity Records |year=2013 |volume=6 |doi=10.1017/s1755267213000365 |pages=e61 |doi-broken-date=January 2, 2025 }}</ref> and the [[Moro Gulf]] are other important bays.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Barut|first1=Noel|title=National Tuna Fishery Report - Philippines|url=http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/PFRP/sctb15/papers/Philipphines.pdf|website=School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology|publisher=Marine Fisheries Research Division National Fisheries Research and Development Institute|access-date=May 4, 2015}}</ref> The [[San Juanico Strait]] separates the islands of [[Samar]] and [[Leyte]] but it is traversed by the [[San Juanico Bridge]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Quirante |first1=Ninfa Iluminada B. |title=San Juanico Bridge, a symbol of love |url=https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1005720 |access-date=July 27, 2020 |work=Philippine Information Agency |date=March 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313054242/https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1005720 |archive-date=March 13, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> The [[Puerto Princesa Subterranean River]], which runs {{convert|8.2|km|mi|abbr=|sp=us}} underground through a [[karst]] landscape before reaching the ocean, is a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/652 |title=Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park |publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|access-date=July 18, 2020}}</ref>

Other 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]]; and the [[Pampanga River|Pampanga]], which flows south from east Central Luzon into [[Manila Bay]]. Several rivers have been harnessed for hydroelectric power.

A global [[remote sensing]] analysis suggested in 2018 that there were {{cvt|2,126|km2}} of tidal flats in the Philippines and is therefore ranked as the 15th country in terms of how much tidal flat occurs there.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Murray |first1=N.J. |last2=Phinn |first2=S.R. |last3=DeWitt |first3=M. |last4=Ferrari |first4=R. |last5=Johnston |first5=R. |last6=Lyons |first6=M.B. |last7=Clinton |first7=N. |last8=Thau |first8=D. |last9=Fuller |first9=R.A. |title=The global distribution and trajectory of tidal flats |journal=Nature |date=December 19, 2018 |volume=565 |issue=7738 |pages=222–225 |doi=10.1038/s41586-018-0805-8 |pmid=30568300 |s2cid=56481043 |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-018-0805-8}}</ref>

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]].

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.

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

===Geology===

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. 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.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}} The Galathea Depth in the [[Philippine Trench]] is the deepest point in the country and the [[List of submarine topographical features#List of oceanic trenches|third deepest in the world]]. The trench is located in the Philippine Sea.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/31710 |title=The Galathea Deep Sea Expedition, 1950–1952, described by members of the expedition |last=Bruun |first=Anton Frederick |publisher=Macmillan, New York |year=1956}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2020}}

The islands are composed of volcanic, coral, principal rock formations.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}} Eight major types of forests are distributed throughout the Philippines; [[dipterocarp]], beach forest, [[pine]] forest, [[Vitex parviflora|molave]] forest, [[Montane ecosystems|lower montane forest]], upper montane or [[mossy forest]], [[mangrove]]s, and ultrabasic forest.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wikramanayake |first1=Eric D. |last2=Dinerstein |first2=Eric |last3=Loucks |first3=Colby J. |title=Terrestrial Ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: A Conservation Assessment |date=2002 |publisher=Island Press |isbn=978-1-55963-923-1 |page=480 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_VGRBWqIG2gC&pg=PA480 |access-date=July 24, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The highest mountain is [[Mount Apo]]. It measures up to {{convert|2954|m|ft|sp=us}} above sea level and is located on the island of [[Mindanao]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Division |first1=Library of Congress Federal Research |title=Philippines: A Country Study |date=1993 |publisher=Federal Research Division, Library of Congress |isbn=978-0-8444-0748-7 |page=xvi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=64KnPJbfHRMC&q=philippines+mount+apo+2954 |access-date=July 27, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The second highest point can be found on Mindanao as well, at [[Mount Dulang-dulang]], a peak {{convert|2941|m|sp=us}} above sea level.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 10 highest mountains in the Philippines |url=http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2016/01/the-10-highest-mountains-in-the-philippines-2016-update.html |website=Pinoy Mountaineer |date=January 24, 2016 |publisher=Gideon Lasco |access-date=17 September 2023}}</ref>

Situated on the western fringes of the Pacific [[Ring of Fire]], the Philippines experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Holden |first1=William |last2=Nadeau |first2=Kathleen |last3=Porio |first3=Emma |title=Ecological Liberation Theology |date=February 16, 2017 |publisher=Springer, Cham |isbn=978-3-319-50780-4 |pages=5–9 |url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-50782-8 |access-date=August 17, 2020 |chapter=The Philippines: Understanding the Economic and Ecological Crisis |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-50782-8_2}}</ref> The [[Benham Plateau]] to the east in the Philippine Sea is an undersea region active in [[Plate tectonics|tectonic]] [[subduction]].<ref name="CLCS submissions">{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/Depts/los/clcs_new/commission_submissions.htm |title=Submissions, through the Secretary-General of the United Nations, to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, pursuant to article 76, paragraph 8, of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 |publisher=United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf |date=May 28, 2009 |access-date=May 29, 2009}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=July 2020}} Around 20 [[earthquake]]s are registered daily, though most are too weak to be felt. The last major earthquake was the [[1990 Luzon earthquake]].<ref>La Putt, Juny P. [c. 2003]. [http://www.cityofpines.com/baguioquake/quake.html ''The 1990 Baguio City Earthquake''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212175238/http://www.cityofpines.com/baguioquake/quake.html |date=February 12, 2015 }}. Retrieved December 20, 2009, from [http://www.cityofpines.com/ The City of Baguio]  Website.</ref>{{Failed verification|date=July 2020}} There are [[List of active volcanoes in the Philippines|many active volcanoes]] such as the [[Mayon Volcano]], [[Mount Pinatubo]], and [[Taal Volcano]].<ref name="PHIVOLCS-Volcanoes">{{cite web |title=Volcanoes of the Philippines |url=https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/volcano-hazard/volcanoes-of-the-philippines |website=Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology |access-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806190713/https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/volcano-hazard/volcanoes-of-the-philippines |archive-date=August 6, 2017}}</ref> The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in June 1991 produced the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th&nbsp;century.<ref name = Pinatubo1991>{{cite web|author = Newhall, Chris |author2 = James W. Hendley II |author3 = Peter H. Stauffer |name-list-style = amp |title = The Cataclysmic 1991 Eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines (U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 113-97) |url = http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/1997/fs113-97/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130825233934/http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/1997/fs113-97/ |archive-date = August 25, 2013 |publisher = U.S. Department of the Interior. U.S. Geological Survey |date = February 28, 2005 |access-date = April 9, 2007}}</ref> The Philippines is the world's second-biggest [[geothermal energy]] producer behind the United States, with 18% of [[Energy in the Philippines|the country's electricity]] needs being met by geothermal power.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/29/business/worldbusiness/29iht-energy.1.14068397.html |author=Davies, Ed |author2=Karen Lema |name-list-style=amp |title=Pricey oil makes geothermal projects more attractive for Indonesia and the Philippines |newspaper=The New York Times|date = June 29, 2008 |access-date=December 18, 2009}}</ref>

[[Mount Pinatubo]] is notorious for its destructive {{nowrap|[[VEI]]-6}} eruption on June 15, 1991. [[Taal Volcano]], one of the [[Decade Volcanoes]], had a {{nowrap|VEI-3.7}} eruption on January 12, 2020. [[Mount Mayon]] is renowned for having an almost perfect cone, but has a violent history of 47 eruptions since 1616 and its {{nowrap|VEI-4}} eruption on June 23, 1897, rained fire for seven days.

Significant mineral deposits exist as a result of the country's complex geologic structure and high level of seismic activity.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bryner |first1=Leonid |title=Ore Deposits of the Philippines Their Geology |journal=Economic Geology |date=1969 |volume=64 |pages=645–647 |doi=10.2113/gsecongeo.64.6.644 |citeseerx=10.1.1.875.7878 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Santos Jr. |first1=Gabriel |chapter=Mineral Distribution and Geological Features of the Philippines |title=Metallogenetische und Geochemische Provinzen / Metallogenetic and Geochemical Provinces |journal=Metallogenetic and Geochemical Provinces |date=1974 |volume=1 |page=89 |doi=10.1007/978-3-7091-4065-9_8 |isbn=978-3-211-81249-5 }}</ref> These deposites are considered highly valuable.<ref name="Inquirer-PhilippinesSits">{{cite news |last1=Esplanada |first1=Jerry E. |title=Philippines sits on $840B of mine—US {{!}} Inquirer Business |url=https://business.inquirer.net/47013/philippines-sits-on-840-b-of-mine—us |access-date=July 24, 2020 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=March 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302194026/https://business.inquirer.net/47013/philippines-sits-on-840-b-of-mine%E2%80%94us |archive-date=March 2, 2012}}</ref> The country is thought to have the second-largest gold deposits after South Africa, along with a large amount of copper deposits.<ref name="NYTimesMiners">{{cite news|author = Greenlees, Donald |title = Miners shun mineral wealth of the Philippines |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/14/business/worldbusiness/14iht-mine.1.12876764.html |newspaper =The New York Times|date = May 14, 2008 |access-date=July 18, 2020}}</ref> [[Palladium]], originally discovered in South America, was found to have the world's largest deposits in the Philippines too.<ref name="Inquirer-FirmSeesMetal">{{cite news |last1=Cinco |first1=Maricar |title=Firm sees metal costlier than gold in Romblon sea |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/788940/firm-sees-metal-costlier-than-gold-in-romblon-sea |access-date=July 24, 2020 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=June 3, 2016 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724163335/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/788940/firm-sees-metal-costlier-than-gold-in-romblon-sea|archive-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> [[Romblon]] island is a source of high-quality marble.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.manilastandard.net/news/-provinces/138248/marvelous-marble.html|title=Marvelous marble|date=January 16, 2014|newspaper=The Manila Standard|access-date=January 4, 2021|archive-date=November 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123162628/https://www.manilastandard.net/news/-provinces/138248/marvelous-marble.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Other minerals include chromite, nickel, and zinc. Despite this, a lack of law enforcement, poor management, opposition due to the presence of indigenous communities, and past instances of environmental damages and disasters, have resulted in these mineral resources remaining largely untapped.<ref name="NYTimesMiners" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.mongabay.com/2017/06/the-philippines-a-nation-rich-in-precious-metals-encounters-powerful-opposition-to-mining/|title=The Philippines, a nation rich in precious metals, encounters powerful opposition to mining|publisher=Mongabay|author=Keith Schneider |date=June 8, 2017 |access-date=July 18, 2020}}</ref>

===Topography===
{{Major geographic features of the Philippines overlay}}

===Luzon===
[[File:Northern Philippines (Luzon).jpg|thumb|left|[[Luzon]] in a 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 sand dunes in Laoag, part of the Ilocos coastline
 | caption1 = The La Paz sand 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 [[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 ====
{{further|Cagayan Valley}}Nestled between the Cordilleras in the west and the [[Sierra Madre (Philippines)|Sierra Madre]] mountain ranges in the east 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]].

==== Cordilleras and Caraballos ====
{{further|Cordillera Central (Luzon)|l1=Cordillera Central}}The Cordilleras and [[Caraballo Mountains|Caraballos]], together with the Sierra Madre Range, form the main mountain system in Northern Luzon.

The Cordilleras consists of two, sometimes three, 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 two ranges, the Cordillera Norte and Cordillera Central.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sagmit |first1=Rosario S. |last2=Soriano |first2=Nora N. |title=Geography in the Changing World |date=1998 |publisher=Rex Book Store |isbn=9712324516 |page=76}}</ref> They line the central portions of the [[Cordillera Administrative Region]].

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 City|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, [[Laguna de Bay]]. To the east of the lake is a plain that stretches westward to [[Manila Bay]]. Large rivers from bays and mountain springs traverse the plain. In the northern part of the region, that is, [[Manila]] and [[Rizal (province)|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|Quezon province]].

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

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

====Visayas====
[[File:Expanded Visayas.png|thumb|Visayan group of islands: [[Western Visayas]] (red), [[Negros Island]] (green), [[Central Visayas]] (light blue), and [[Eastern Visayas]] (pink).]]

===Panay-Negros-Cebu Area===
Panay is the third largest island in the Philippines, behind Mindanao and Luzon. Negros is home to the Canlaon Volcano, one of the active volcanoes in the Philippines. Cebu is a long and narrow island and is the 126th largest island in the world. Other islands nearby include: [[Guimaras]] to the south, [[Negros]] to the southeast,  [[Bantayan Island]] and the [[Romblon|Romblon island group]] to the north and [[Boracay]] nearby to the northeast.

===Mindanao===
[[File:Atlas of the Philippine Islands (1900) (14585692528).jpg|thumb|An old map of Mindanao from the Atlas of the Philippine Islands (1900).]]

==== 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=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_6Pn0Pfh1Cl0C/page/n44 32]–37|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_6Pn0Pfh1Cl0C|access-date=January 27, 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/books?id=_PvsCAAAQBAJ|access-date=January 27, 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 [[Butuan Bay]]. Draining the southern portion of the lowland are several other rivers, which include the [[Tagum River|Tagum]], flowing southward to [[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==
{{see also|List of cities and municipalities in the Philippines|List of cities in the Philippines}}
{{Further|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===
{{further|Regions of the Philippines}}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 [[Bangsamoro|Bangsamoro Autonomous Region]].

===Provinces===
{{further|Provinces of the Philippines#List of provinces}}Forming the regions, with the exception of the [[Metro Manila|National Capital]], are the 82 [[Philippine provinces|provinces]]. Each province has a [[capital city|capital city or municipality]].

====Landlocked and island provinces====
Of the 82 provinces of the Philippines, 16 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;{{refn|name=lake|group=note|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.}}
| data-sort-value="4.1" | [[Calabarzon|IV-A]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | ''[[Rizal (province)|Rizal]]''&nbsp;{{refn|name=lake|group=note}}
| 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;" | [[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
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Maguindanao del Sur]]
| data-sort-value="19" | [[Bangsamoro]]
| Mindanao
|- class="sortbottom" style="background-color:#F2F2F2;"
| colspan="3" style="text-align:left;" | '''Notes'''<br />{{reflist|group=note}}
|}
{{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]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Romblon]]
| data-sort-value="4.2" | [[Mimaropa]]
| Luzon
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Palawan]]
| data-sort-value="4.2" | [[Mimaropa]]
| 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" | [[Bangsamoro|BARMM]]
| Mindanao
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Sulu]]
| data-sort-value="14" | [[Bangsamoro|BARMM]]
| Mindanao
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Tawi-Tawi]]
| data-sort-value="14" | [[Bangsamoro|BARMM]]
| Mindanao
|}
{{col-end}}

==Climate==
{{Main|Climate of the Philippines}}
[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map PHL present.svg|thumb|Philippines map of Köppen climate classification zones|276x276px]]

The Philippines has a tropical maritime climate that is usually hot and humid. There are three seasons: ''tag-init'' or ''tag-araw'', the hot dry season or summer from March to May; ''tag-ulan'', the rainy season from June to November; and ''tag-lamig'', the cool dry season from December to February. The southwest [[monsoon]] (from May to October) is known as the Habagat, and the dry winds of the northeast monsoon (from November to April), the Amihan. Temperatures usually range from {{convert|21|C|F}} to {{convert|32|C|F}} although it can get cooler or hotter depending on the season. The coolest month is January; the warmest is May.<ref name="PAGASA-Climate">{{cite web |title=Climate of the Philippines |url=http://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/information/climate-philippines |website=Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration |access-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418140425/http://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/information/climate-philippines |archive-date=April 18, 2018 |quote=Based on the average of all weather stations in the Philippines, excluding Baguio, the mean annual temperature is 26.6o C. The coolest months fall in January with a mean temperature of 25.5oC while the warmest month occurs in May with a mean temperature of 28.3oC. Latitude is an insignificant factor in the variation of temperature while altitude shows greater contrast in temperature. Thus, the mean annual temperature of Baguio with an elevation of 1,500 meters is 18.3oC.}}</ref> Some locations have no dry season (meaning, all months have an average rainfall of above {{cvt|60|mm}}) and certain higher-altitude areas can have a [[subtropical climate]]. 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.

The average yearly temperature is around {{convert|26.6|C|F}}. In considering temperature, location in terms of latitude and longitude is not a significant factor. Whether in the extreme north, south, east, or west of the country, temperatures at sea level tend to be in the same range. Altitude usually has more of an impact. The average annual temperature of [[Baguio]] at an elevation of {{convert|1500|m|sp=us}} above sea level is {{convert|18.3|C|F}}, making it a popular destination during hot summers.<ref name="PAGASA-Climate" /> Annual rainfall measures as much as {{convert|5000|mm|sp=us}} in the mountainous east coast section but less than {{convert|1000|mm|sp=us}} in some of the sheltered valleys.<ref name=cp /> 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 six to nine 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.

Sitting astride the [[Typhoons in the Philippines|typhoon belt]], the islands experience 15-20 typhoons annually from July to October,<ref name=cp>[[Library of Congress]] – [[Federal Research Division]]. (March 2006). [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Philippines.pdf ''Country Profile: Philippines'']. Retrieved July 30, 2020. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214022548/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Philippines.pdf |date=February 14, 2015 }}</ref> with around nineteen typhoons<ref>{{Cite book |url = http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/80346e/80346E00.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110719181709/http://archive.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/80346e/80346E00.htm |archive-date = July 19, 2011 |title = Economics of the Philippine Milkfish Resource System |chapter-url = https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/80346e/80346E06.htmhtm |chapter = III. The transformation sub-system: cultivation to market size in fishponds |author1 = Chong, Kee-Chai |author2 = Ian R. Smith |author3 = Maura S. Lizarondo |name-list-style = amp |publisher = The United Nations University |year = 1982 |isbn = 978-92-808-0346-4 |access-date = July 4, 2020 |url-status = dead }}</ref> entering the Philippine area of responsibility in a typical year and eight or nine making landfall.<ref name=PagasaWMO>{{cite web |url = http://www.typhooncommittee.org/41st/docs/TC2_MemberReport2008_PHILIPPINES1.pdf |author = Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) |title = Member Report to the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee, 41st Session |page = 4 |date = January 2009 |access-date = December 17, 2009 |archive-date = March 20, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090320001056/http://www.typhooncommittee.org/41st/docs/TC2_MemberReport2008_PHILIPPINES1.pdf |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name=digitaltyphoon>[http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/digital-typhoon/reference/monthly/ ''Monthly Typhoon Tracking Charts'']. (2010). Retrieved April 24, 2010, from the [[National Institute of Informatics]], Kitamoto Laboratory, Digital Typhoon Website.</ref> Historically typhoons were sometimes referred to as ''baguios''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNAAY550.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606220234/http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNAAY550.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 6, 2014 |title=Tropical Cyclone Disasters in the Philippines A Listing of Major Typhoons by Month Through 1979 |last=Henderson |first=Faye |publisher=Agency for International Development |page=11 |access-date=July 25, 2020}}</ref> The wettest recorded typhoon to hit the Philippines dropped {{convert|2210|mm|sp=us}} in Baguio from July 14 to 18, 1911.<ref>{{cite book |date=2009 |title=Manual on Estimation of Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) |url=http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/hwrp/publications/PMP/WMO%201045%20en.pdf |location=Geneva |publisher=World Meteorological Organization |page=223 |isbn=978-92-63-11045-9}}</ref> The Philippines is highly [[Climate change in the Philippines|exposed to climate change]] and is among the world's ten countries that are most [[Climate change vulnerability|vulnerable to climate change]] risks.<ref>Overland, Indra et al. (2017) ''[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320622312 Impact of Climate Change on ASEAN International Affairs: Risk and Opportunity Multiplier]'', Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and Myanmar Institute of International and Strategic Studies (MISIS). Page V.</ref>

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}}
:**country rank in the world: ''72nd''
:* Land: {{convert|298170|km2|0}}
:* Water: {{convert|1830|km2|0}}

;Area – comparative:
:*Australia comparative: approximately {{sfrac|1|1|3}} times the size of [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]]
:*Canada comparative: approximately {{sfrac|5|8}} the size of the [[Yukon]]
:*United States comparative: slightly larger than [[Arizona]]
:*United Kingdom comparative: approximately {{sfrac|1|1|4}} times the size of the United Kingdom
:*[[European Union|EU]] comparative: slightly smaller than [[Italy]]
====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|2,263,816|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} with {{convert|200|nmi|km|lk=in}}
* Territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to {{convert|100|nmi}} from the coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since the late 1970s has also claimed the polygonal-shaped area in the South China Sea up to {{convert|285|nmi}} in breadth.

<div style="overflow-y:auto;">{{Oceans and seas in the Philippines location map}}</div>

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

====Land use====
* Arable land: 20%
* 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====
{{main|Environmental issues in the Philippines}}
*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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707235139/http://www.adb.org/water/actions/phi/pasig-river-resuscitating.asp |date=July 7, 2010 }}, Asian Development Bank, April 2009.</ref>

[[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 and enclaves====
* [[Caloocan]] 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.
* [[Manila South Cemetery]] is an exclave of the district of [[San Andres, Manila|San Andres]], located in the capital city of [[Manila]]. It is divided and surrounded by [[Makati]].

====Pene-enclaves/exclaves and inaccessible districts====
* In [[Soccsksargen]]:
** [[Sarangani]] province is separated into two sections by [[General Santos]] and [[Sarangani Bay]].
* In the [[Zamboanga Peninsula]]:
** [[Isabela, Basilan|Isabela City]], the provincial capital of Basilan province (part of the [[Bangsamoro|Bangsamoro Autonomous Region]]) is part of Zamboanga Peninsula despite it being separated from it by the [[Basilan Strait]].
** [[Zamboanga City]], a highly urbanized independent city, is statistically part of [[Zamboanga del Sur]] province, but is separated from it by [[Zamboanga Sibugay]] province.

===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]]

====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 City]]
|-
! 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]] | [[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===
{{contradicts other|Extreme points of the Philippines|there|Geographic Center|date=January 2016}}

{{Further|Extreme points of the Philippines}}

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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206045926/http://www.marinduque.gov.ph/regionaltourism.html |date=December 6, 2009 }}, 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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206045945/http://www.marinduque.gov.ph/sopa08.html |date=December 6, 2009 }}, 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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206045828/http://www.marinduque.gov.ph/datum.html |date=December 6, 2009 }}, 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/the-world-factbook/countries/philippines/ Philippines : Geography], 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
| [[Mavulis|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]].

[[File:MT. Madja-as of Antique.jpg|thumb|[[Mount Madja-as]] in [[Antique (province)|Antique]] ]]

==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]]
* [[Borders of the Philippines]]
* [[Subduction tectonics of the Philippines]]
{{colend}}

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Refbegin}}
* {{country study|country=Philippines|abbr=ph}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* [http://www.tourism.gov.ph/explore Government Portal of the Republic of the Philippines ]{{Dead link|date=August 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [https://www.chanrobles.com/republicacts/republicactno5446.html An act to amend section one of republic act numbered thirty hundred and forty-six, entitled "An act to define the baselines of the territorial sea of the Philippines"]

==Further reading==
* {{cite web |url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/11775665.pdf |title=The Study on Flood Control Project Implementation System for Principal Rivers in the Philippines |publisher=JICA |date=September 2004}}

{{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| ]]