A.

Location
The Philippines is situated in the Southeast section of
Asia
Bounded by:
Taiwan - North
West Philippine Sea - West
Pacific Ocean - East
Celebes Sea - South
It is included in the Asia-Pacific rim.
It is slightly above the equator.
B. Character of the Land
1. Archipelago - 7,107 islands
Weakness of the Filipinos’ sense of nationalism
Diverse languages
Strong sense of regionalism
Existence of subcultures
Maritime orientation of the inhabitants
Development of the fishing industry
2. Stretches almost a thousand miles from North to
South
3. Land Surface Area - 114,830 sq. statute miles
4. Mountainous
Seven mountain ranges,
Greatest -Sierra Madre in North Central Luzon
Highest- Mt. Apo in Davao
Other peaks:
 Mt. Madya-as: Panay
 Mts. Banahaw, Makiling, San Cristobal: Laguna

 Mt. Arayat: Pampanga

 Mts. Mayon, Pulog: Bicol

 Mt. Halcon: Mindoro

More than 50 volcanoes
Greatest: Mt. Mayon
Smallest volcano on earth: Mt. Taal
Riverine with a good number of river systems
Cagayan, Jalaur, and Panay rivers: Panay
Rio Grande de Pampanga, Agno, Pasig rivers: Luzon
Agusan and Lanao rivers: northern Mindanao
Famous underground river in Palawan
Used as highways of transportation and communication
especially for trade and commerce
Provide food for the people
Socialization opportunities
Settlements along the banks of the rivers

Philippines has a tropical climate

A. Topography
Rugged land traversed by mountain ranges
Irregular coastline
Extensive coastal plains, arable valleys and deltas
Navigable rivers and cascading waterfalls
Generally mountainous
Highest peak: Mt. Apo-9,690 feet high
Lowest part: “Philippine Deep”-34,218 feet below sea
level.
B. Coastline, Rivers, and Lakes
Extensive coastline longer than that of continental
United States
Sea coasts of the islands are indented with numerous
bays, harbors, gulfs, and coves
Has numerous lakes
Largest: Laguna de bay
Lake Lanao: Lanao del Sur
Taal Lake: Batangas
Lake Naujan: Mindoro
Lake Bito: Leyte
C. Waterfalls and Mineral Springs
Waterfalls
Most famous: Pagsanjan Falls: Laguna
Largest: Botocan Falls: Laguna
Rich in legendary lore: Hinulugan Falls: Antipolo, Rizal
Most important waterfalls in Mindanao: Maria Cristina
Falls: Lanao del Norte
Mineral springs or spas:
Well-known spas are found in: Pagsanjan, Pansol, Los
Baños in Laguna; in Pandi and Marilao, Bulacan; in
Lemery and Nasugbu, Batangas; in Goa, Camarines Sur;
and in Murcia, Negros Occidental

Potential source of power: Maria Cristina Falls

D. Fauna
Abounds in animal life
Three unique mammals exist
Tarsius: smallest monkey in the world, found only in
Bohol.
Tamaraw: a cross between the carabao and the boar,
found only in Mindoro
Mouse deer: smallest deer on earth, found in Palawan.
More than 750 species of birds have been identified
Most famous: monkey-eating eagle
About 25,000 species of insects are known to exist in
the country.
E. Flora
Has 10,000 species of flowering plants and ferns
Richest collection of orchids with 900 species
Forest Cover and Arable Land
Forested areas are now limited
The dipterocarp (mahogany) forests are endangered
17% of arable land are damaged
G. Fisheries and Marine Resources
At least 2,000 species of fish are said to be found in
Philippine waters
Smallest fish in the world: Pandaka Pygmaea
10,000 species of shells
Very good fishing grounds: Manila Bay, Laguna,
Bantayan Channel in Cebu, Estancia in Iloilo,
Malampaya Sound in Palawan, the Sulu Sea, and the
waters of Basilan and Zamboanga
H. Mineral Resources
Metallic minerals: gold, iron, copper, silver, platinum,
chromium, manganese, lead, and zinc.
Non-metallic minerals: coal, petroleum, asbestos,
clay, gypsum, lime, salt, sulfur, marble, and adobe
stone.
I. Scenic Beauties
Beautiful beaches, rippling seas of crystalline waters,
cool towering highlands, and rolling valleys.
Crowning glory: Palawan Underground River, Ifugao
Rice Terraces
Other wonders: Boracay, Pagsanjan Falls, Crystal
Caves, Maria Cristina Falls, Mayon Volcano, Taal
Volcano, The Hundred Islands
 ASSIGNMENT
With your partner do the following in a short bond paper
(landscape)
Create a matrix/table that will show the following:
Pre-Spanish culture of the Filipinos with respect to the
following:
1. Personal Habits, Homes and Ornaments
2. Marriage Customs
3. Government, Social Classes, Position of Women in
Society
4. Laws and Judicial Process

*Minimum 2 pages Maximum 3 pages

Example:
Personal
Habits,
homes and
ornaments