A.

Location
The Philippines is situated in the Southeast

section of Asia
Bounded by:
Taiwan

West Philippine SeaPacific Ocean

Celebes Sea
-

North
West
East
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
statute miles
4. Mountainous

114,830 sq.

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 Baos 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