The Philippines, Its Geography, Physical and Natural
Resources
Geographic Resources
a. Location, Size, Shape
b. Climate and Weather
c. Landforms and Resources
d. Water forms and Resources
e. Forest and Mineral Resources
f. Agricultural Resources and Industrial Development
a. Location, Size and Shape
Location
Absolute Location
The Philippines is located between 4° and 21° North latitude and 116° and
127° East longitude.
Relative Location
The relative location of the Philippines is in Southeast Asia, specifically on
the eastern edge of the Asiatic Mediterranean, surrounded by the South
China Sea to the west, the Pacific Ocean to the east, and the Celebes Sea
to the south.
Size
Is the Philippines, in fact, geographically small? With a land area of
343,448 square kilometers (higher than the common estimate of
300,000), our country is bigger than Italy (294,140 sq km), and is
significantly larger than Britain (229,848 sq km). Mindanao alone, at
97,530 sq km, is by itself bigger than Ireland, which measures 84,421 sq
km. The Philippines, moreover, is bigger than North and South Korea
combined. Indeed, ranked among all the nations of the world, the
Philippines belongs to the upper one-third in terms of land area.
This means that the countries included in the upper one-third would be
among the largest in the world, encompassing about one-third of the
global total land area.
So why is there a perception of being “small”?
The Mercator projection, a cylindrical map projection, is famous for its
accurate representation of compass bearings, making it ideal for
navigation. However, this accuracy comes at the cost of significant
distortion in the size of landmasses, particularly those farther from the
equator. This distortion is why the Philippines appears smaller than its
actual size on a Mercator map
The further from the equator, the more a landmass is stretched out,
making it appear larger than it actually is. Since the Philippines is near
the equator, its size is less distorted than countries near the poles, and
appears smaller than its true size.
Shape
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 Batanes Islands to
the north of Luzon forming its apex.
AMALGAM WARRIOR MAP PHILIPPINES
An image that honors the fighting spirit of various Filipino tribes with a
mixture of visual symbolism and clothing. The Figure represents unity as it
resembles the map of the Philippine islands.
B. Climate and Weather
Climate
The Philippines has a tropical and maritime climate with two main
seasons: a rainy season (June to November) and a dry season (December
to May).
The Philippines has five climate types: tropical rainforest, tropical
monsoon, tropical savanna, humid subtropical, and oceanic.
Metro Manila reached a record-breaking heat index of 45°C (113°F)
on April 28, 2024.
The lowest officially recorded temperature in the Philippines was
6.3°C (43.3°F), recorded in Baguio City on January 18, 1961
Weather
The Philippines experiences a variety of weather conditions due to its
tropical maritime climate.
Why do the Philippines a lot of storms?
The Philippines experiences a large number of typhoons due to its
geographical location on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean, within the
“typhoon belt” where many tropical cyclones form.
The "typhoon belt" refers to the western Pacific Ocean, particularly the
area encompassing the Philippines, where a high concentration of tropical
cyclones, known as typhoons, form.
The term “hurricane” is used for these storms in the North Atlantic and
Northeast Pacific, while “typhoon” is used for them in the Northwest
Pacific, and “cyclone” is used in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.
Strongest Typhoon
Typhoon Yolanda, internationally known as Haiyan, is the deadliest
typhoon to have affected the country in recorded history, killing more than
6,300 people as it crossed the Visayas region in November 2013.
Super Typhoon Haiyan, also known as Yolanda, is the typhoon that
famously brought a ship ashore in Tacloban City, Philippines, after its
devastating impact in 2013.
MV Eva Jocelyn
C. Landforms and Resources
The Philippines is known for its numerous mountain ranges, including the
Sierra Madre, Cordillera Central, and Eastern Pacific Cordillera. These
ranges are often associated with volcanic activity, resulting in the
presence of active and dormant volcanoes, like Mount Apo, the highest
peak in the country.
Landforms are features on the Earth’s surface that make up the terrain,
such as mountains, valleys, plains or plateaux.
1. Highest Mountain is the Mt. Apo
2. Mount Mayon is considered the most active volcano in the
Philippines.
Resources
The largest known gold deposit in the Philippines is located in the
Diwalwal Mineral Reservation, specifically in Mt. Diwata,
Compostela Valley.
This reservation, part of the wider Diwalwal Gold Rush Area, is located
within the municipality of Monkayo in Davao de Oro. It has faced
challenges related to illegal mining and environmental degradation,
leading to its designation as a mineral reservation.
These areas are established to preserve essential raw materials for
national development, protect minerals of scientific, cultural, or ecological
importance, and promote the orderly development of mineral resources.
d. Water Forms and Resources:
Water is an integral part of Philippines’ identity and its economy. The
country’s extensive coastline, numerous rivers, lakes, and groundwater
resources are important for various purposes.
The Philippines have different water forms, let’s start with:
Oceans and Seas: what is the difference between ocean and sea? Ocean
refers to the vast, continuous body of saltwater that covers most of the
Earth’s surface and we have five principal oceans: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian,
Arctic, and Southern (a relatively recent addition to the list). Oceans are
characterized by their immense size, depth, and interconnectedness.
However on the other hand Seas can refer to a large body of saltwater
that is part of an ocean, often partially enclosed by land.
Why are these body of waters important in the Philippines? Because these
waters are part of our EEZ or Exclusive Economic Zone. This means that
these waters does not only shape the Philippines geography, but also in
economics and geopolitics. We have the sovereignty over these waters as
per granted by the UNCLOS, or the United Nations Convention On the Law
of the Sea.
The Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea dominate the country's
maritime environment. But let’s focus more on the Pacific Ocean and
Philippine Sea. These vast bodies of water support a thriving fishing
industry and facilitate international trade. Manila Bay, a significant natural
harbor, serves as a major port in the Philippines. Philippine Sea is
primarily abundant in marine biodiversity, with over 3, 212 fish species,
486 coral species, 800 seaweed species, 820 benthic algae species. The
Verde Island Passage within the philippine sea is even dubbed as the “The
Center of Marine Fish Biodiversity”. The Pacific Ocean’s resources includes
marine life of course, there are also oils and gas that exists in the offshore
of the Pacific Ocean, and of course we can also use the Pacific as part of
the important sea transportation routes.
Lakes: Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in Southeast Asia, is a crucial
source of freshwater and supports fishing communities. Numerous smaller
lakes are scattered across the archipelago, providing irrigation and other
essential services.
Rivers: The Cagayan River, the longest river in the Philippines, and many
other river systems are important for irrigation, transportation, and
hydroelectric power generation. However, water quality in many rivers is
threatened by pollution.
What is hydroelectric power generation? Naa bay present na ingon ani sa
Philippines? And what is the importance of this? The answer is yes, naay
ingon ani nga Philippines and according to my research we have 5
hydroelectric power plant which are located in Calabarzon (the largest:
Kalayaan Hydroelectric Power Plant), Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Northern
Mindanao, and Central Luzon. These power plants literally converts
moving water into electricity. And it is important because hydroelectric
power is a renewable energy that generates electricity without depleting
natural resources.
Groundwater: Groundwater is a significant source of freshwater,
especially in areas with limited surface water. However, over-extraction
and contamination pose significant challenges.
What are these challenges? We are pumping out water that nature
replaces, so nagadrop pud atong water tables. Pollution, of course.
e. Forest and Mineral Resources: A Wealth of Potential
The Philippines is endowed with significant forest and mineral resources,
although their sustainable management remains a challenge.
Forests: The country’s forests have been significantly depleted due to
logging and land conversion. Remaining forests are crucial for biodiversity,
watershed protection, and carbon sequestration. Different forest types
exist, including dipterocarp forests, mangrove forests, and pine forests.
What is carbon sequestration? This is a process naturally done by
plants, plants are the ones na naga absorb sa CO2 or carbon dioxide,
without them maka contribute ang CO2 sa global warming because this
gas is a type greenhouse gas.
Let’s discuss the different types of forests. The first one is the dipterocarp
forest, the dipterocarp forest is a type of tree na classified as lowland
evergreen rainforest formation and some of its species kay endemic sa
Philippines. Next is mangrove forests, ang main purpose jud why
nagatanom og mangroves is for coastal protection, kay gina stabilize sa
roots sa mangrove ang mga strong currents and storm surges. Next is the
Pine forests, like any other forest, pine forest support wild life and absorb
CO2, and pine trees prevents soil erosion.
Minerals: The Philippines is rich in metallic minerals, including gold,
copper, nickel, and chromite,
Minerals: The Philippines is rich in metallic minerals, including gold,
copper, nickel, and chromite, and non-metallic minerals, such as
limestone and marble due to our location along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
These resources have the potential to contribute significantly to the
economy, but mining activities need careful environmental management.
Gold: Found in various regions like Baguio, Paracale, where maning
paracale? It is located in Camarines Norte, and then Masbate, Surigao,
Pantukan, and Masara. It’s highly valued for jewelry.
Copper: Primarily mined in Surigao del Norte. Its high conductivity makes
it crucial for electrical applications and construction
Nickel: Found in Palawan, Zambales, and other regions. It’s a key
component in stainless steel and other alloys.
Chromite: Located in southern Luzon and Zambales. It’s essential for
making stainless steel and other alloys.
Other metallic minerals include lead, zinc, silver, mercury, cadmium, and
manganese. On the other hand sa mga non metallic are:
Limestone: Used extensively in cement production and construction. The
Philippines has vast reserves, particularly in Guimaras.
Marble: Romblon is known as the “Marble Capital” of the Philippines.
Gravel: A crucial construction material.
f. Agricultural Resources and Industrial Development:
Agriculture and industry are both crucial sectors of the Philippine
economy.
Agriculture: The Philippines is predominantly an agricultural country,
with rice as the staple crop. Philippines have 6 primary crops, these are
rice, corn, coconut, sugarcane, abaca, and tobacco, but there are also an
abundance in fruits and vegetables.
Naa bay development ang atong agricultural sector in the recent years?
The answer yes. Naa nay advancements ang atong agricultural sectors
because naga adopt na sila og mga mechanization and technology in
terms sa process sa atong productions and then naa na pud government
initiatives. The sector is more supported than before. For example sa
mechanization and technology adoption, the DAR provided modern rice
harvesters in surigao del norte, because of this mas napadali and mas
efficient and pag harvest sa atong farmers. Another one is the biofertilizer
plant na located sa Laguna, it is capable of producing 7,000 metric tons of
biofertilizer annually and we are expecting na mas mapa boost ang
agricultural productivity.
Example pud sa government initiatives sa agriculture is the Swine
Distribution Program. The DA is distributing 1 Billion pesos worth of
swine to boost hog inventory and recover from the African Swine Fever
outbreak.
Industrial Development: The Philippines has experienced industrial
growth, particularly in manufacturing sectors like electronics assembly
and garments.
Is there any developments? Of course yes.
The Philippines has experienced significant growth in several key
industries, particularly in manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. This
development is important for the nation’s economic growth, job creation,
and overall well-being.
Manufacturing:
The Philippines has established itself as a major player in global
electronics assembly and garment manufacturing. And it is because of the
Skilled Workforce: The country boasts a large, relatively skilled
workforce, particularly in areas like electronics assembly and textiles.
Favorable Costs: Compared to some developed countries, labor and
production costs in the Philippines are relatively lower, making it a
competitive location for manufacturing.
Government Support: The government has implemented programs and
policies to encourage manufacturing growth, including tax incentives and
infrastructure development.
Tourism
Tourism is a major contributor to the Philippine economy, generating
significant revenue and employment. The country attracts tourists from
around the world, drawn to its beautiful beaches, diverse culture, and
historical sites.
Why are these industries important? The growth of these industries is
important for several reasons:
Economic Growth: These sectors contribute significantly to the
Philippines’ GDP, boosting overall economic performance.
Job Creation: These industries are major employers, providing jobs for a
substantial portion of the population, particularly in rural areas. This
reduces unemployment and improves living standards.
Foreign Investment: The success of these industries attracts further
foreign investment, bringing in capital and technology, and fostering
innovation.
Infrastructure Development: Industrial growth often stimulates
investment in infrastructure, such as transportation and utilities, that
benefits the entire economy.
Technological Advancement: The presence of these industries
encourages technological advancements and skills development within
the workforce.
