It

comprise of a string of four irregularly shaped peninsular provinces (CamNor, CamSur, Albay & Sorsogon) and two insular provinces (Catanduanes & Masbate) plus numerous offshore islets. It is located on the south-eastern extremity of Luzon, within 122 and 125 East longitudes and 12 and 14 North latitude. The peninsular mainland looks like a huge flying bird and has a total landmass of about 5,400 sq. miles or 17,632 sq. kilometres.

Southernmost

tip of Luzon within 122 and 125 East longitude and 12 and 14 North latitude. Northwest, it is bounded by Quezon province, East by the open seas of the pacific, Southeast by Samar Sea and Southwest by Sibuyan Sea.

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), 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.

As of 2010, Camarines Sur is the largest province in terms of area and population, occupying 5,481.6 km2 (2,116.5 sq mi) or around 30.4% of the total land area with a population of 1,822,371. Catanduanes is the smallest in terms of area as well as population with only 1,511.5 km2 (583.6 sq mi) or 8.4% of the total regional area and a population of 246,300.

Provinces of future Region 5-A (CAMCATAN): Camarines Norte Camarines Sur Catanduanes Provinces of future Region 5-B (ALMASOR): Albay Masbate Sorsogon

Bicol Region is volcanic in origin and part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Known as the Bicol Volcanic Arc or Chain, the volcanoes are the results of the Philippine Sea Plate subducting under thePhilippine Mobile Belt, along the Philippine Trench. Volcanism is evident by the number of hot springs, crater lakes, and volcanoes that dot the region starting from Mount Labo in Camarines Norte to the Gate Mountains in Matnog, Sorsogon.

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 in the region.

Range from slightly undulating to rolling and from hilly to mountainous. Volcanoes and Mountains dominate the sceneries in the countryside. Mounts Mayon, Malinao, Masaraga and Catburawan in Albay; Mount Labo in Camarines Norte; Mounts Isarog and Iriga in Camarines Sur; and Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon.

Northwest-Quezon Province East-Pacific Ocean Southeast-Samar Sea Southwest-Sibuyan Sea

No. of Province: 6 No. of Cities: 7 One chartered city: Naga City (Nueva Caceres) Six component city: Legazpi City, Iriga City, Tabaco City, Ligao City, Masbate City and Sorsogon City No. of Municipalities: 107 No. of District: 14 No. of Barangays: 3,471

Agricultural: 50.76% Forest: 13.56% Grasslands: 30.23% Miscellaneous: 2.42%

Regional Center: Legazpi City Total Area: 18, 054.3 km2 (6, 970.8 sq.mi)

Languages: Bikol, Albayano, Masbateo, Rinconada, Sorsoganon and Tagalog

The regions six provinces have varying numbers of municipalities, cities and towns. Camarines Sur has the most numerous towns and barrios. Airplanes, trains, and buses make transportation in the region easy. Albays strategic location makes it a gateway for the neighbouring regions of Samar-Leyte and the Tagalog provinces. Naga City serves as the center of communication with several commercial radio receivers and governmentowned and operated radio networks.

Coconut and abaca are two dollar-earning products that are grown in the coastal valleys hillsides or slopes of several fertile volcanoes respectively. The Bicol River basin or rice granary provides the peasants rice, corn, and root crops for food and small cash surplus when crops evade the dreaded frequent typhoons. For land preparation, carabao-drawn plow and harrow are generally used; sickles are used for cutting rice stalks, threshing is done either by stepping on or beating the rice straws with basbas and cleaning is done with the use of the nigo (winnowing basket).

The typical Bicolano wears light, western styled clothes similar to the Filipinos in urban centers. Seldom, if ever, are there Bicolanos weaving sinamy or pia for clothing as in the past; sinamy is reserved now for pillow cases, mosquito nets, fishing nets, bags and other decorative items.

Close family ties and religiosity are important traits for survival in the typhoon-prone physical environment. Some persisting traditional practices are the pamalay, pantomina and tigsikan. Beliefs on god, the soul and life after death are strongly held by the people. Related to these, there are annual rituals like the pabasa, tanggal, fiestas and flores de mayo. Side by side with these are held beliefs on spiritual beings as the tawo sa lipod, dwende, onglo, tambaluslos, kalag, katambay, aswang and mangkukulam.

The region was also called "Los Camarines" after the huts found by the Spaniards in Camalig, Albay. No prehistoric animal fossils have been discovered in Bicol and the peopling of the region remains obscure. The Aeta from Camarines Sur to Sorsogon strongly suggest that aborigines lived there long ago, but earliest evidence is of middle to late Neolithic life.

Bicol Region has had various names since the time of Spanish who called its northern part Tierra de Camarines and its southern part Tierra de Ibalon. Some historians claim that it was originally referred to Ibalon but the Spaniards later divided it into Partido de Ibalon and Partido de Camarines.

The province of Albay, which is strategically located in the center of the region, is home to the world famous Mount Mayon with its perfect cone shape. Legazpi City, also in Albay and is called the Gateway City of Bicol, is the regional center.On the northernmost part of the region is the province ofCamarines Norte whose capital, Daet, holds the distinction of being the town to erect the first monument of the country's national hero, Jose Rizal.

Naga City in the province of Camarines Sur is host to Colegio de Sta. Isabel, the first known normal school for girls in the Orient. The province ofCatanduanes boasts of white beaches and resorts is an island paradise in the Pacific. The province ofMasbate, which lies exactly at the center of the Philippine archipelago, is known for its mining and cattle industry while Sorsogon, the province known for its historic and panoramic places, shelters the world's largest fish - the whale shark locally known as Butanding.

The region is composed of six provinces, namely, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon and the island-provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate.

Legazpi, the capital of Albay Province, is best known for its surrounding attractions including Mt. Mayon, the volcano renowned for its near perfect cone, and Cagsawa Ruins Park which contains the ruins of the village of Cagsawa with only the church steeple still standing. Other natural attractions include Hoyop-Hoyopan, Calabigonan and Pototan Caves, and Busay and Vera Falls. Santo Domingo beach is known for surfing; while San Miguel and Rapu-Rapu Islands are know for diving. Historical sites include the Battle of Legazpi Trylon and Jose Ignacio Paua Monuments in Old Albay, the Simeon Ola Monument at Guinobatan, and the Andres Bonifacio Monument at Santo Domingo.

Natural attractions in Camarines Norte include Kanapnap Falls, Apuao Grande island, and the beaches of Lanot, Pag-asa and Bagabas, whose white sand beach is regarded as one of the best in the nation. Historical landmarks include the first monument of Dr. Jose Rizal to be erected in the country, located in the town of Daet, and the Wenceslao Q. Vinzons, Sr. Historical Shrine at Vinzons. Churches include the Vinzons Catholic Church and the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Recreational sites include the Tulay na Lupa (Land bridge) Reservoir in Labo, a recreational resort with a very natural and fresh water swimming pool.

Naga City, the capital of Camarines Sur, is known for one of the country's most important festivals, called the Feast of Our Lady of Peafrancia. It is also regarded as the Christmas City of the Philippines, with the month-long Kamundagan Festival held in December. Naga City also has one of the oldest museum outside Manila, which houses Bicol's historical and cultural artifacts. Other churches include the San Francisco Church, built in 1578 by Franciscan Friars, and the Metropolitan Church, the largest in the region. Natural sites include Sabang, Gota and Caramoan Beaches, Adiangao and Kulapnitan Caves, and Lake Buhi, near Iriga City, which is home to the world's smallest edible fish called the 'sinarapan'.

Catanduanes is an island province with other smaller islands off the northeast and northwest coasts, including Panay, Palumbanes, Parongpong and Calbagio. Natural attractions include Maribina, Balongbong and Nahulugan Falls, and Luyan and Buyo Caves. Beaches include Toytoy, Mamangal, Marilima and Pururan Beach, which is popular to surfers.

Masbate Province is composed of three main islands, Masbate, Ticao and Burias, and serves as the link between the Bicol Region and the Visayas. Gold and cattle, celebrated in Rodeo Pilipino, are the main drivers of its economy. Natural attractions include the beaches at Dacu, Bituon and Talisay, the waterfalls at Tagoron and Catandayagan and the islands of Bontod, Deagan, Cagpating and Baybay.

Sorsogon Province is located in the southernmost part of Luzon. Attractions include Bulusan Mountain Lake, which is perched in the crater of a still active volcano, and has been regarded as "The Switzerland of the Orient" by foreigners. Another attraction is the coastal town of Donsol where massive whale sharks (butanding) can be found swimming in its waters between January and April. Other natural attractions include Bulus, Mapaso, Masacrot and San Benon Springs, Bato Limestone Cave and