Bicol Region The Bicol Region or Region V (also known as Bicolandia) is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines.

Bicol (also spelled Bikol) is composed of four provinces in the Bicol Peninsula, the southeastern end of Luzon island, and two island-provinces adjacent to the peninsula. The location of its regional center site is in Legazpi City in Albay

Geography The Bicol Region is located in the southernmost tip of Luzon Island, the largest island in the Philippine archipelago. The total land area of the region is 18,054.3 km2(6,970.8 sq mi),[5] which or 5.9% of the total land area of the country. Around 69.3% of the total land area is alienable and disposable while the remaining 30.7% is public forest areas. The region is bounded by Lamon Bay to the north, Pacific Ocean to the east, andSibuyan Sea and Ragay Gulf to the west. The northernmost province, Camarines Norte, is bordered to the north by the province of Quezon, thereby connecting the region to the rest of Luzon.

Economy Bicol Region has a large amount of rich flat land, and agriculture is the largest component of the economy with close to 50% depending their livelihood on the industry. Coconuts, abaca, banana, coffee and jackfruit are the top five permanent crops in the region. Rice andmaize are among the chief seasonal crops of the region. Commercial fishing is also important with thirteen major fishing grounds supplying fish markets in places as far as Metro Manila. Agriculture and fishing are the major factors in the province's economy. [2][25] Mining is also one of the contributors to the region's economy. Several handicrafts, jewelry manufacturing, other small-scale industries and manufacturing enterprises that is located in Camarines Norte bolster rural and regional incomes. Naga City gives at least 20.4% in the over-all economy of the Bicol Region. The large Camarines Sur Industrial and Technological Park and the Naga City Industries Districts are the two large districts that are alloted for native manufacturing and handicrafts. Naga City is also the city in Bicol Region that has the 2nd highest rate of commercialization and population rise next to Legazpi city. Legazpi City boasts its tourism and businesses as the city helps improve the economy. The city also gives a large percentage, 20.5% in the over-all economy of Bicol. The city is the location of the Legazpi City International Seaport which generously gives the largest percentage in the

city's economy also the entire region.The city is also the Educational Center of Bicol after the Bicol University Belt had been organized here. Mayon Volcano Mayon Volcano, also known as Mount Mayon, is an active volcano in theprovince of Albay, on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Renowned as the "perfect cone" because of its almost symmetric conical shape, Mayon forms the northern boundary of Legazpi City, the largest city in terms of population in theBicol Region. The mountain was first declared as a national park and a protected landscape on July 20, 1938 in the country. It was reclassified and renamed asMayon Volcano Natural Park in the year 2000. Local folklore refers to the volcano as Bulkang Mayon (Bikol: "Mayon volcano"), after the legendary heroine Daragang Magayon (Bikol: "Beautiful Lady"). The region has recently seen a revival in its tourism industry, due to the popularity of Mayon Volcano, the new CamSur Water Sports Complex, whale shark spotting, among others, which consequently increased the number of upscale resorts. Tourism
The region has recently seen a revival in its tourism industry, due to the popularity of Mayon Volcano, the new CamSur Water Sports Complex, whale shark spotting, among others, which consequently increased the number of upscale resorts. Owing to its location, Region V offers plenty of choices for visitors beautiful natural features like beaches, mountains and waterfalls with lush vegetation. Activities include scuba diving to wrecked galleons, spelunking, and mountaineering or visits to man-made attractions like church architecture from the Spanish Colonial period, etc. The municipality of Daet and Catanduanes province have long been destinations for surfers. The opening of the Southern Luzon International Airport in Legazpi City, which is under construction, is hoped to further boost tourism in the region.
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