I.

LESSON 3: Philippines Physical Geography

II. INTRODUCTION

The Philippines is renowned because of its historical background. For

centuries, Philippines is already been active in trading and in fact it is the
trading center since pre-colonial period. Philippines is also known for its
struggle to freedom. It is a place where many battles and political revolution
takes place for centuries. But right now it is the cultural meeting place for the
East and West Countries.

The country is also known for its enchanting natural beauty where tourist want
see. Its world-class white sand beach resorts, the best diving spots in the world,
scenic wildlife attractions, beautiful volcanoes and mountains and legendary
astounding architectural and historical structures are among the features of our
country that we are proud of. Philippine has hundreds of attractive tourist
destinations, making the country a top travel destination for nature lovers,
honeymooners and adventure seekers from all around the world. Philippine is
also known as the inexpensive tourist destination in the world. Hotels, food and
transportation are affordable and inexpensive. Philippine is a paradise in that is
found in the heart of Southeast Asia.
III. LEARNING OBJECTIVE
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to;
● Identify Philippine tourism geography
● Promote values and responsibility of Filipino people in caring sustainable
environment

IV. LESSON PROPER

Chapter 2 Philippine’s Physical Geography
The Philippine archipelago is bounded by the Philippine Sea to the east, the Celebes Sea to
the south, the Sulu Sea to the southwest, and the South China Sea to the west and north. The
islands spread out in the shape of a triangle, with those south of Palawan, the Sulu
Archipelago, and the island of Mindanao outlining (from west to east, respectively) its southern
base and the Batan Islands to the north of Luzon forming its apex. The archipelago stretches
about 1,150 miles (1,850 km) from north to south, and its widest east-west extent, at its
southern base, is some 700 miles (1,130 km). The island of Taiwan lies north of the Batan
group, the Malaysian portion of the island of Borneo is to the south of Palawan, and the
eastern islands of Indonesia lie to the south and southeast of Mindanao. Only about two-fifths
of the islands and islets have names, and only some 350 have areas of 1 square mile (2.6
square km) or more. The large islands fall into three groups: (1) the Luzon group in the north
and west, consisting of Luzon, Mindoro, and Palawan, (2) the Visayas group in the center,
consisting of Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Masbate, Negros, Panay, and Samar, and (3) Mindanao in
the south.

Relief
Philippines has an irregular formation of an archipelagic state. Its coastlines have some
36,290 (22,550 miles) with a great stretch of coastal plains, mountain ranges, mighty river
systems, and lakes. It is also composed of volcanic rocks and corals in general.
Elevations

Name Elevation/ Description Photo

Distance
The 5,900 Ft
❖ Central mountain
Central (1,800
Cordilleras meters) tall chain of Luzon
320km (198 ❖ Covers the Cordillera
miles) long
Administrative
Region, with portions
of Ilocos Norte and
Sur and Cagayan
❖ Highest peak: Mt.
Pulag

The 6,283 ft.

❖ The backbone of
Sierra (1,915 m)
Madre tall eastern Luzon
Range 690 km ❖ Starts in the
(430 province of Cagayan
miles) long on the north and ends
in Quezon province at
the south
❖ Unclear peak
with several attributed
are the highest
(Anacuao in Aurora,
Mt. Cetaceo in
Cagayan and Mt.
Guiwan in N. Vizcaya)
❖ Longest
mountain range in the
country
Cent 6,946 ft.
❖ Longest and
ral (2, 117 m)
Pana tall Largest range in Panay
y 170 km (105 Is and Western Visayas
Rang miles) long ❖ Rich flora and
e
fauna in the region
❖ Antique Rice
Terraces are part of
these mountain range
 Talomo 9,692
❖ Mt. Apo is
Mount feet
ain (2,954 part of this range
Range mete
rs)
tall

Plains

List of Volcanoes

There are 53 active volcanoes in the Philippines which make the country llisted in the Pacific
Ring of fire.
Although volcanoes are a conspicuous feature of the landscape, there is relatively little
volcanic activity. There are altogether about 50 volcanoes, of which more than 10 are known
to be active. Mount Pinatubo on Luzon, once regarded as extinct, was in 1991 the site of one
of the world’s largest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century. All gradations of volcanoes can be
seen, from the almost perfect cone of Mayon, which has been compared to Mount Fuji in
Japan, to old, worn-down volcanic stocks, the present forms of which give little indication of
their origin. The several distinct volcanic areas are in south-central and southern Luzon and
on the islands of Negros, Mindanao, Jolo, and elsewhere. Tremors and earthquakes are
common.
Luzon Corregidor Dagit-Dagitan M
Didicas a
Ambalatungan Gate Mountains Iraya r
Amorong Anilao Iriga Isarog Labo Laguna i
Hill Arayat Makiling Malepunyo v
Babuyan Claro Malinao Malindig e
Banahaw Binuluan l
Bulusan Cagua e
Camiguin de Babuyanes s
Cariliao M
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i San m
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t Sang T
u ay a
b S a
o a l
Pocd n

Visayas
Alto Biliran Cabalian Cuernos de Negros M
Cancajanag Canlaon Hingatungan a
Ilihan Lobi n
Mahagnao d
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Mindanao Imbing Kaladis M

Kalatungan Kitabud a
Ampiro Apo Latukan l
Balatukan Balut Leonard Range i
Blit Makaturing n
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Jolo
Other notable Landforms in the Philippines (with tourist activities)

Name Type Descripti Photo

o
n
Cagay Valley Situated
an between
Valley Cordiller
as and

Sierra
Madre
Mountain
Ranges

Lign Hill Located

on
Hill in
Legazpi,
Albay
512 feet
in height
Serves
as view
deck
of
the
Mayo
n
Volca
no
and
Lega
zpi
Airpo
rt
Hundr Islands Located
ed
Island in
s Alaminos
,
Pangasin
an

Comprise
s of 124
islands
 Choco Clust Located
lat e ere d
Hills Hills in the
Province
of Bohol
in the
town

of
Carmen

Drainage

Water and waterways has been a part of the people since the dawn of time. Most of the
commerce and administrative powers are along the riverbanks, estuaries and bay. Philippines
has been blessed with many bodies of water that has been usable, from irrigation to tourism.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources under the Environmental Management

Bureau has identified 1, 019 bodies of water in the Philippines. This has been classified into a.
water body classification and usage of freshwater b. water body classification and
usage of marine waters.
Below are derived from the detailed classification table presented by DENR.
● Use of water for domestic purposes means the utilization of water for drinking,
washing, bathing, cooking or other household needs, home gardens and watering of
lawns or domestic animals;
● Use of water for municipal purposes means the utilization of water for supplying water
requirements of the community;
● Use of water for irrigation means the utilization of water for producing agricultural
crops;
● Use of water for power generation – means the utilization of water for producing
electrical or mechanical power;
● Use of water for fisheries means the utilization of water for the propagation of cultured
fish as a commercial enterprise;
● Use of water for livestock raising means the utilization of water for large herds or flocks
of animals raised as a commercial enterprise;
● Use of water for industrial purposes means the utilization of water in factories,
industrial plants and mines, including the use of water as an ingredient of a finished
product; and
● Use of water for recreational purposes means the utilization of water for swimming
pools, bath houses, boating, water skiing, golf courses and other similar facilities in
resorts and other places of recreation.
Notable Bodies of Waters in the Philippines (with Tourist Activities)

Name Bo Location Photo

dy
of
Wate
r
Agus Rive Agusan
an r del Sur
River

Taal Lake Lake Batangas

Buhi Lake Lake Camarin

es Sur
Cagay Rive Cagay
an r an,
River Isabela
,
Nueva
Vizcay
a,
Quirin
o

Hidde Sp Laguna
n rin
Valle g
y
Sprin
gs

Laguna Lake Laguna,

De Bay Rizal,
Metro
Manila
(selected)
Lake Sebu Lake South
Cotab
ato

Ma. Falls Lanao

Cristina del
Falls Norte

Manila Bay Bay Mero

Manila
(selected)
Pagsanj Falls Laguna
an Falls

Palawan Rive Puerto

Subterran r Prince
ea n sa,
Undergro Palawa
un d River n

Pasig River Rive Metro

r Manila
(selected)
 Rio Rive Bukidnon
Grande r ,
de Maguinda
Mindana na o,
o Cotabato

San Strai Samar;

Juanico t Leyte
Strait

Sto. Nino Sp Camiguin

Cold rin
Spring g

Soil
The alluvial plains and terraces of Luzon and Mindoro have dark black cracking clays, as well
as younger soils that are especially suitable for rice cultivation. Much of the land of the hilly
and mountainous regions consists of moist, fertile soils, often with a significant concentration
of
volcanic ash, that support fruit trees and pineapples. Oil palms, vegetables, and other crops
are grown in the peat like areas, as well as in the younger, sand-based soils of the coastal
plains, marshes, and lake regions. The dark, organic, mineral-rich soils of the undulating
terrain of the Bicol Peninsula, much of the Visayas, and the northwest tip of Luzon are used to
grow coffee, bananas, and other crops. Highly weathered, often red or yellow soils are
prominent in the central and southern Philippines and are typically planted with cassava
(manioc) and sugarcane; these soils also support forests for timber harvesting. The poor,
precipitation- leached soils of Palawan and the eastern mountains of Luzon are largely
covered with shrubs, bushes, and other secondary growth that typically emerges in areas that
have been cleared of their original forest cover.
Climate
The Climate of the Philippines is tropical and maritime. It is characterized by relatively high
temperature, high humidity and abundant rainfall. It is similar in many respects to the climate
of the countries of Central America. Temperature, humidity, and rainfall, which are discussed
hereunder, are the most important elements of the country's weather and climate.
Temperature
Based on the average of all weather stations in the Philippines, excluding Baguio, the mean
annual temperature is 26.6C. The coolest months fall in January with a mean temperature of
25.5C while the warmest month occurs in May with a mean temperature of 28.3C. Latitude is
an insignificant factor in the variation of temperature while altitude shows greater contrast in
temperature
Humidity
Humidity refers to the moisture content of the atmosphere. Due to high temperature and the
surrounding bodies of water, the Philippines has a high relative humidity. The average monthly
relative humidity varies between 71 percent in March and 85 percent in September. The
combination of warm temperature and high relative and absolute humidifies give rise to high
sensible temperature throughout the archipelago. It is especially uncomfortable during March
to May, when temperature and humidity attain their maximum levels.
Rainfall
Rainfall is the most important climatic element in the Philippines. Rainfall distribution
throughout the country varies from one region to another, depending upon the direction of the
moisture- bearing winds and the location of the mountain systems.
● The mean annual rainfall of the Philippines varies from 965 to 4,064 millimeters
annually. Baguio City, eastern Samar, and eastern Surigao receive the greatest
amount of rainfall while the southern portion of Cotabato receives the least amount of
rain. At General Santos City in Cotabato, the average annual rainfall is only 978
millimeters.
● The Seasons Using temperature and rainfall as bases, the climate of the country can
be divided into two major seasons: (1) the rainy season, from June to November; and
(2) the dry season, from December to May. The dry season may be subdivided further
into
 (a) the cool dry season, from December to February; and (b) the hot dry season,
from March to May.
Climate Types Based on the distribution of rainfall, four climate types are recognized,
which are described as follows:
Typhoons have a great influence on the climate and weather conditions of the Philippines. A
great portion of the rainfall, humidity and cloudiness are due to the influence of typhoons.
They generally originate in the region of the Marianas and Caroline Islands of the Pacific
Ocean which have the same latitudinal location as Mindanao. Their movements follow a
northwesterly direction, sparing Mindanao from being directly hit by majority of the typhoons
that cross the country. This makes the southern Philippines very desirable for agriculture and
industrial development.
Plant and Animal Life
The Philippines supports a rich and varied flora with close botanical connections to Indonesia
and mainland Southeast Asia. Forests cover almost one-half of the land area and are typically
tropical, with the dominant family, Dipterocarpaceae, representing 75% of the stands. The
forest also has vines, epiphytes, and climbers. Open grasslands, ranging up to 2.4 m (8 ft) in
height, occupy one-fourth of the land area; they are man- made, the aftermath of the
slash-and-burn agricultural system, and most contain tropical savanna grasses that are
nonnutritious and difficult to eradicate. The diverse flora includes 8,000 species of flowering
plants, 1,000 kinds of ferns, and 800 species of orchids.
Common mammals include the wild hog, deer, wild carabao, monkey, civet cat, and various
rodents. There are about 196 breeding species of birds, among the more numerous being the
megapodes (turkey-like wildfowl), button quail, jungle fowl, peacock pheasant, dove, pigeon,
parrot, and hornbill. Reptilian life is represented by 190 species; there are crocodiles and the
larger snakes include the python and several varieties of cobra.
Philippine Flora
❖ Paphiopedilum fowliei -This beautiful and uniquely shaped flower is from
Paphiopedilum fowliei, a species of plant in the Orchidaceae family. It is native to the
beautiful island of Palawan, Philippine’s last frontier. This species which is threatened
by loss of habitat inhabits tropical and subtropical forests.
❖ Peltate Nephentes (Nepenthes peltata)- This strange-looking plant is not a colorful
toilet bowl. It is scientifically called Nepenthes peltata, a tropical pitcher plant that can
 be found only from the upper slopes of Mount Hamiguitan, Mindanao in southern
Philippines. The plant is characterized by a peltate tendril attachment and conspicuous
indumentum.
❖ Paphiopedilum ciliolare -Another lovely plant that belongs to the Orchidaceae family
is the Paphiopedilum ciliolare. Like the other two unique plants above, this species is
threatened by loss of habitat. It also inhabits tropical and subtropical forests.
❖ Medinilla magnifica - Commonly called rose grape belonging to the family of plants
called Melastomataceae Juss., this shrub is a stunning flower endemic to the
Philippines. It is usually found in high altitudes growing up to 6 feet. The shrub has
either ribbed or winged stem and glossy green leaves with conspicuously pale veins.
The flowers are breathtaking growing as a bunch of small pink clusters attached to
large pink bracts sheltered by its curved leaves.
❖ Strongylodon elmeri -Endemic in the thick forests of the country, this specie along
with its more famous cousin Strongylodon macrobotrys (jade vine) are arguably the
most beautiful flowers in the world. Strongylodon elmeri is a perennial climbing shrub
belonging to the family Fabaceae. The flowers hang in bunches up to 90 cm and each
with a spectacular clawlike shape measures up 7.5 cm. Bats usually pollinate these
flowers.
❖ Amyema incarnatiflora - Belonging to the family of Lorantacae, this particular specie
calls the mountainous region of Cabadbaran in Agusan del Norte as well as the thick
jungles of Cagayan province as its home. The bunch of slender pink flowers is a
beauty forming a shape of a half open parasol.
❖ Dillenia monantha - This specie is unique to the Philippines and produces only a
single flower. Monantha after all is derived from the Greek words mono (one) and
anthos (flower). The richly hued yellow flower is a spectacular sight thanks largely to
the bottom colors that resemble a spider.
❖ Xanthostemon fructicosus - Belonging to the family called Myrtaceae, this specie
can call 3,000 other species as its close kin; many of them grow in Australia as well as
in Mediterranean and America. This particular specie can be set apart, however, by its
spectacular foliage that comes in red bunches of individual actinomorphous (spreading
symmetrically) flowers.
❖ Plumiera acuminata - Generally, found in the tropics, Plumiera acuminate (sometimes
known as Plumeria rubra and Plumeria acutifolia) is specie of Frangipani otherwise
locally known as kalachuchi.
❖ Pahiopedilum adductum- A member of the Orchidaceae family and is endemic to the
Philippines. Usually found in tropical moist lowland forest, the scientific name is
derived from the fact that it belongs to the family of orchids and that the shape of its
staminode (vestigial stamen) is severely adducted that is severely bent backwards.
❖ Rafflessia manillana - The scientific name of this specie is derived from its genus
rafflesia (named after Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore, who first obtained a
specimen) and from the city of Manila. Although Rafflesias can be found in various
 forests in southeast Asia, this particular specie is the world's largest and endemic. It
has a foul-smelling flower and is pollinated by carrion fli

world’s smallest hoofed mammal – the Philippine mouse deer.
Locally known as Pilandok (Tragalus nigricans), this ruminant
stands only about 40 centimeters at the shoulder level.
Contrary to its name, pilandok is not a member of the deer
family.
Also known as the monkey- eating eagle, the endangered Philippine
eagle is one of the largest in the world. With scientific name
Pithecophaga jefferyi, the Philippine eagle lives in the rainforests of
Isabela, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao. Measuring about one meter in
height, the average Philippine eagle has a 76- centimeter highly arched,
powerful bill.
Pila
T. magellanus shows a blue-green sheen if viewed from an oblique
angle. Troides magellanus are rarer compared to other species, noted
ndo
k
for their use of limited-view iridescence: the yellow of the dorsal hind
wings modified by bright blue-green iridescence which is only seen
when the butterfly is viewed at a narrow, oblique angle.

Philip
pine
Eagle

Ma
gell
an
Bird
win
g
 • Calamian Islands, north off Palawan province, keep a
species of deer that cannot be found elsewhere. Scientists

Hog deer referred to the hog deer in the islands as Calamian deer in
order to distinguish them from other hog deer in the
world.

• The three-layered virgin forest of Subic Bay and Bataan is

Giant golden- home to the world’s largest bats: the giant flying fox
(Acerodon jubatus) and the golden crown flying fox
(Pteropus vampyrus). Over the years, these two species of
giant fruit bats have roamed around the 10,000-hectare
Subic Forest National Protected Area, which is considered

crowned flying fox

the biggest roosting site of bats in the world.

• In many respects, the Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta)in Bohol is

different from other animals. Its two big eyes cannot move and do

Tarsier
not have a tapetum
– the upper protective tissue. Because of this, the Philippine tarsier
has learned to turn its head 180 degrees. It has also two grooming
claws on each foot and an almost bald tail extending about nine
inches.

• The saltwater crocodile, which can be found in the

Philippine Philippines, is considered as the world’s largest reptile.
Scientifically known as Crocodylus porosus, it is different
Crocodile from Mindoro’s freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus
mindorensis), which is a relatively smaller species. An adult
saltwater crocodile measures between six to seven meters
(20-23 feet) and weighs about two to three tons. There were
tales that a 27-foot saltwater crocodile was killed near Lake
Taal in Batangas in 1823. It reportedly took 40 men to bring
the body ashore
V. SUMMARY OF THE LESSON
The islands are home to many species of flowering plants and ferns, including hundreds
of species of orchids. Tall grasses have replaced the forests, which have disappeared due to
logging, mining, and development.

The Philippines are inhabited by more than 200 species of mammals, including monkeys,
squirrels, lemurs, mice, pangolins, chevrotains, mongooses, civet cats, and red and brown deer,
among others.
The binturong, or Asian bear cat, was once prominent, but now this furry mammal is vulnerable.
The tamaraw, a species of small water buffalo found only on Mindoro, is critically endangered.

Hundreds of species of birds live in the Philippines, either for all or part of the year, including
peacocks, pheasants, doves, parrots, kingfishers, sunbirds, tailorbirds, weaverbirds, and
hornbills. The endangered Philippine eagle, which eats monkeys, is barely surviving
deforestation.

The Philippines is rich in mineral resources, mining activities constitute only a small
portion of GDP and employ an even smaller fraction of the population. Most of the country’s
metallic minerals, including gold, iron ore, lead, zinc, chromite, and copper, are drawn from
major deposits on the islands of Luzon and Mindanao. Smaller deposits of silver, nickel,
mercury, molybdenum, cadmium, and manganese occur in several other locations. The Visayas
are the principal source of nonmetallic minerals, including limestone for cement, marble,
asphalt, salt, sulfur, asbestos, guano, gypsum, phosphate, and silica. Petroleum and natural gas
are extracted from fields off the northwest coast of Palawan. Copper has remained the
country’s primary mineral, although changing world market demands and investment incentives
have rendered its production somewhat volatile.

VI. SUPPLIMENTARY MATERIAL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxqgm-ruiW8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLlXUVH_0fU&t=819s