PCTG REVIEWER GEOGRAPHICAL DIVISION OF THE PHILIPPINE ARCHIPELAGO

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, places, symbols, regions, and notable facts from the lecture notes.

Philippines

Southeast Asian country composed of an archipelago of 7,641 islands; official name: Republic of the Philippines; capital: Manila.

Archipelago

A chain or cluster of islands; the Philippines is an archipelago.

7,641 islands

Total number of islands that make up the Philippines.

Western Pacific arc system

Geological arc in the Western Pacific characterized by active volcanoes and tectonic activity.

Active volcanoes

Volcanoes that have erupted recently or are currently erupting; many are found in the Philippines.

Mount Apo

Highest point in the Philippines at about 9,691 feet (2,954 meters).

Mayon Volcano

World-famous near-perfect conical volcano; name derived from the Bicol word Magayon meaning beautiful; erupted 47 times, including a major eruption in 1814.

Pinatubo

Volcano that erupted disastrously in June 1991 after a long dormancy; ashfall reached Metro Manila and other areas.

Taal Volcano

Volcano island in a lake (Volcano Island in Taal Lake); has a history of recorded eruptions.

Kanlaon Volcano

Active volcano located in Negros; one of the Philippines’ most active volcanoes.

Bulusan Volcano

Active volcano in Sorsogon, part of the Visayas-Mindanao volcanic arc.

Hibok-Hibok

Active volcano on Camiguin Island; part of the Philippines’ volcanic activity.

Makaturing

Volcano located in Mindanao (Lanao area); one of the active volcanic features listed.

Iraya

Volcano (and mountain) in Batanes; part of the northern volcanic arc.

Natural resources

Resources such as timber, petroleum, and cobalt mentioned as being abundant in the Philippines.

Timber

Large-scale forest resource; a natural resource of the Philippines.

Petroleum

Oil-based natural resource found in the Philippines’ subsurface.

Cobalt

Mineral resource listed among the Philippines’ natural resources.

Oil is not a natural resource

A note in the source stating that oil is not considered a natural resource (context-specific distinction in the notes).

Population (approximate)

About 99,900,177 people (as listed in the notes).

Capital

Manila, the capital city of the Philippines.

Republic of the Philippines

Official name of the country.

Sampaguita

National flower of the Philippines.

Carabao

National animal of the Philippines (water buffalo).

Mango (Mangga)

National fruit of the Philippines.

Barong Filipino

National dress of the Philippines.

Dr. Jose Rizal

National hero of the Philippines.

Narra tree

National tree of the Philippines.

Philippine Eagle

National bird of the Philippines.

Regions (Overview)

Major administrative regions such as Region I (Ilocos), Region II (Cagayan Valley), Region III (Central Luzon), Region IV-A (CALABARZON), Region IV-B (MIMAROPA), Region V (Bicol), Region VI (Western Visayas), Region VII (Central Visayas), Region VIII (Eastern Visayas), Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), Region X (Northern Mindanao), Region XI (Davao), Region XII (Soccsksargen), Region XIII (Caraga), ARMM, CAR, plus NCR.

NAMRIA

National Mapping and Resource Information Authority; central mapping agency for maps, charts, and natural resources data.

Languages listed

Major Philippine languages/dialects: English, Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, Pangasinense.

Independence (WWII context)

Notes state the Philippines was the first in Southeast Asia to gain independence after World War II (1945).

Felipenas (Ruy López de Villalobos)

Early explorer who named the Eastern Visayas Felipenas; the name was later applied to the entire archipelago.

The Pearl of Lao Tze

World’s largest pearl reportedly discovered by a Filipino diver in the Palawan Sea (1934).

Coconut and tropical fruits export

The Philippines is described as the world’s largest exporter of coconuts and some tropical fruits.

Christian-majority nation in Asia

Notes state the Philippines is the only majority Christian nation in Asia (primarily Roman Catholic).

Department of Tourism (DOT)

Philippines’ government agency promoting tourism; slogan: Love the Philippines; current secretary: Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco.

Pamulinawen Festival

Major festival of Ilocos Norte.

Calle Crisologo

Historic street in Vigan, Ilocos Sur; popular tourist site.

Longganisa Festival

Festival celebrated in Ilocos Sur celebrating local sausage (longganisa).

Hundred Islands

Major tourist attraction in Pangasinan consisting of about 100 small islands in Lingayen Gulf.

Batanes

Northernmost province of the Philippines; archipelagic with Basco as capital; Ivatan culture; notable stone houses like the Dakay House; Basco Lighthouse.

Basco Lighthouse

Lighthouse located in Basco, Batanes.

Oldest Stone House of Dakay

Historic stone house in Ivana, Batanes; recognized as a heritage site.

Ivatan

Indigenous people of Batanes known for traditional stone houses and culture.

Landingan Viewpoint

Popular viewpoint in Quirino for scenic river and mountain views.

Diffun - Pammadayaw Festival

Festival in Diffun, Quirino, recognizing local honors and heritage.

Quirino Province

Northern Luzon province named after President Elpidio Quirino; capital Cabarroguis; known for rivers, caves (Aglipay, Nagbukel).

Aglipay Caves

Caves in Quirino suitable for spelunking.

Nagbukel Cave

Cave in Quirino with crawl spaces and chambers.

Ginnamuluan Festival

Festival in Quirino; celebrates Ilocano values.

Calabarzon (Region IV-A)

Region in Southwestern Luzon comprising Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon; highly populated and industrialized.

Laguna (Province)

Region IV-A province; notable for Seven Lakes of San Pablo and the “Resort Capital of the Philippines” branding.

Cavite

Region IV-A province; historical site of Emilio Aguinaldo’s residence and proclamation of Philippine Republic; Corregidor Island nearby.

Batangas

Region IV-A province; known for coffee cultivation (historical), Sublian Festival.

Quezon (Province)

Region IV-A province; known for Lucena and Tayabas; Pahiyas festival in Lucban.

Rizal (Province)

Region IV-A province; “City in the Sky”; known for Angono Petroglyphs and Rizal’s contributions.

Laguna de Bay (Laguna)

Large freshwater lake in Laguna; important water resource; source of Laguna’s agriculture.

Pagsanjan Falls

Famous waterfall in Laguna, a popular tourist destination.

Taal Volcano (revisited)

Active volcano with a crater lake; part of Calabarzon’s volcanic activity.

Mayon and Mt. Banahaw (in CALABARZON context)

Iconic volcanoes in nearby regions; Mayon in Bicol (Region V) and Mt. Banahaw in Quezon.

Marinduque (MIMAROPA)

Province in Mimaropa region; “The Heart of the Philippines”; cultural and historical significance.

The Heart of the Philippines

Nickname for Marinduque due to its central location in the archipelago.

Polish on Palawan (Region IV-B)

Region Mimaropa consisting of Mindoro (Occidental and Oriental Mindoro), Romblon, Marinduque, and Palawan.

Puerto Princesa Underground River

UNESCO World Heritage Site in Palawan; renowned subterranean river system; later recognized as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

El Nido and Coron (Palawan)

Popular Palawan tourism hubs known for beaches, reefs, and wreck diving.

Kalayaan Group of Islands

Chain of islands administered by Palawan, including the Cuyo Islands; part of Palawan’s territory.

Romblon

Province known as “the marble country” for its marble resources; major attractions include historic sites and natural wonders.

Biniray Festival

Festival in Romblon; local cultural celebration.

Marble Festival

Romblon festival celebrating its marble industry and craftsmanship.

Arawatan Festival

Occidental Mindoro festival celebrating the town’s patron saints.

Occidental Mindoro

Mindoro province on Mindoro Island; part of MIMAROPA; home to Apo Reef and Mindoro ecology.

Apo Reef National Park

Largest coral reef system in the Philippines and one of the world’s largest; located near Mindoro.

Mindoro delicias (delicacies)

Local Mindoro dishes such as Adobong Pugita and other regional foods listed in the notes.

Palawan biodiversity features

Region with diverse ecosystems, including Calauit Island Wildlife Sanctuary and endemic species.

Calauit Island Wildlife Sanctuary

Protected area in Palawan housing exotic and endemic wildlife.

Coron Bay wreck diving

Famous wreck-diving site in Coron, Palawan.

Underground River (UNESCO)

Puerto Princesa Underground River; a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1999) and World Wonder (2012).

Region III (Central Luzon)

Geographic region including provinces like Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, etc.; major tourist towns like Baler (Aurora) noted for Sabang Beach.

Baler, Aurora

Province town known as birthplace of Philippine surfing; Sabang Beach, Ditumabo Falls, and Dicasalarin Cove are major attractions.

Isabela (largest province in Luzon)

Largest province in the Philippines by land area on Luzon; capital: Ilagan; notable for Ilagan Sanctuary and other attractions.

Ilagan (Isabela)

Capital of Isabela; center for tourism and local culture.

Angono Petroglyphs

Early Filipino rock art in Rizal Province; regarded as a significant cultural site.

Cloud 9 (Antipolo)

Popular resort/sports complex in Antipolo; leisure destination near Manila.

Kamay ni Hesus Shrine (Lucban)

Religious site in Quezon Province famous for pilgrimage and views.

Pahiyas Festival (Lucban)

Colorful harvest festival in Lucban, Quezon, featuring vibrant decorations.

Pili Nut Capital (Camarines Sur)

Camarines Sur is known as the Pili Nut Capital; region is rich in pineapple and coconut produce.

Calabarzon major attractions

Region IV-A with sites in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon; diverse tourist options.

Sabang Beach (Aurora)

Coastal attraction in Baler, Aurora, popular for surfing.

Quezon’s Kamay Ni Hesus

Sanctuary and pilgrimage site in Lucban, Quezon.

Sum of major tourism regions

Covers CAR, NCR, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol, and Central Luzon as showcased in the notes.

Camiguin, Dinagat, and other smaller provinces

Miscellaneous provinces listed among the notes with local festivals and sites.