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 THE PHILIPPINES lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, stretching more than 1,840 kilometers. Composed of 7,107 islands, it is readily accessible to the different capitals of the world. Its three main islands are
Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao.
Taiwan, China and Hong Kong are its northern neighbors and further north is Japan. While its western neighbors are Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.
 LUZON is the largest of the Philippine islands. It stretches more than 10,000 kilometers, its northernmost tip almost touching Taiwan and its southwestern finger reaching out to Borneo.
Luzon is where Manila, the national capital, and Makati, the financial center, are situated. The island is connected by roads and bridges that traverse cities like Laoag in the north or Naga in the Bicol region with their old churches and modern airports and hotels; small towns like Vigan in Ilocos Sur with horse-drawn carriages, Antillan houses and internet facilities; and rural villages with quaint inns and cellphone sites.
Next to Manila is Bulacan, site of the Barasoain Church where the Revolutionary Congress drafted the first Philippine Constitution more than 100 years ago. A little farther north is Pampanga, famous for carved wooden furniture and giant Christmas lanterns. Also next to the capital city are the provinces of Rizal, home to Filipino artists, Cavite and Batangas with their historic towns and museums, and Laguna with its string of resorts and water hot springs with healing powers.
In the Laguna, Batangas and Quezon provinces are enchanting Mount Makiling and mystical Mount Banahaw of the Sierra Madre.
Across the Manila Bay stands Corregidor, the island fortress that played a prominent role in the Pacific War.
North of Manila is Baguio City, the cool, mountain haven of pine trees and flowers perfect for the dry months of March, April and May. From this "Summer Capital", one can visit the Banaue Rice Terraces, an engineering marvel considered the Eighth Wonder of the World.
South of Manila is Tagaytay, an equally cool and popular resort city in Cavite with a spectacular view of the Taal Volcano, the world's smallest active volcano.
Taal, a volcano within a lake within another volcano, is in Batangas, where the St. Martin of Tours Basilica, the largest church in the Far East, is located. Batangas is also a diver's paradise.
Stretching along the eastern coast of Luzon is Quezon, with its fine beaches and coconut plantations. Farther south in the Bicol region is Albay and its perfect cone-shaped Mayon Volcano.
Southwest is Palawan, the country's last frontier with the forbidding limestone cliffs of El Nido, the subterranean caverns and river of St. Paul, the safari island of Calauit, home to giraffes, impalas and zebras, and Tubbataha Reef, the most beautiful dive site this side of the world.
 The VISAYAS is centrally located cluster of islands that entices the adventurous, the daring and lover of nature and beauty to frolic in the sun, sea and sand.
The island-province of Cebu is at the center surrounded by 166 smaller islands. Mactan, one of these islands, has some of the best diving spots in the country and Bantayan, another isle, is famed for its breathtaking coral formation.
Cebu City was the first Spanish settlement in Asia and is the second largest metropolis in the country, rivaling Manila in many ways.
Two hours away from Cebu by Super Cat ferry is Bohol, more rustic but just as exciting for the adventurous and daring. The most popular diving destinations are the islands of Panglao, Balicasag and Pamalican, from where one can also go for whale-watching. Its top tourist attraction are the Chocolate Hills, thousands of cone-shaped mounds scattered over 50 square kilometers. Bohol is also home to the tarsier, the oldest insect-eating mammal and smallest primate on the planet.
The Samar-Leyte region in the Eastern Visayas offers a quieter but equally picturesque life of rural Philippines.
The Panay and Negros islands offer a glimpse of the country's Spanish roots. Iloilo boasts of centuries-old churches, houses and fine handloomed fabrics. Negros Occidental was once the nation's sugar bowl and bastion of the old rich landed gentry. Negros Oriental is ideal for land and water adventure sports like trekking, scuba-diving and kayaking.
Off the province of Aklan is Boracay, touted as the Best Beach in the World, with four kilometers of dazzling powder-fine white sand and warm, crystalline waters.
 MINDANAO is the second largest island in the Philippines. It is as picturesque as its stunning land-and-seascapes. Tiny pearl-shaped Camiguin island is inviting with its white sand beaches and seven volcanoes. Misamis Oriental is a trekker's destination with its Canopy Walk in the rainforest of Claveria. Cagayan de Oro beckons with its white water rafting, kayaking, and the Garden of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village. Bukidnon is Cowboy Country with its cattle ranches and pineapple plantations.
Siargao offers every kind of watersports and has Cloud Nine Break, one of the best surfs in the world.
In Davao is Mount Apo, the country's highest peak. It is home to the rare Philippine Eagle, the world's largest eagle, and the exquisite waling-waling, the queen of orchids. The Garden City of Samal Islands is where one can enjoy dolphin and whale watching.
Zamboanga City has quaint water villages with houses on stilts and pearl-diving Badjaos. In Lanao del Norte is the Maria Cristina Falls, 100 feet higher than the awesome Niagara Falls.
There are fruits and flowers everywhere: durian, marang, mangosteen and rambutan as well as banana, pineapple and various citrus fruits; and countless varieties and species of orchids and other lovely flora.
And then, there are the people of different tribes and ethnic traditions and beliefs to get acquainted with.
Being an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands scattered over 114,000 square kilometers is no obstacle to travel in the Philippines. The country's geographical structure and makeup has, in fact, proven to be an advantage to the traveler, particularly the adventurous, daring and enterprising.
Traveling overland the entire length of the Philippines is now possible through the Pan Philippine Highway. Also known as the Maharlika Highway, the road network runs from Manila to Laoag City via Cagayan Valley in northern Luzon and from Manila to Davao in Mindanao via Bicol in southern Luzon and Samar and Leyte in eastern Visayas.
Twenty-six areas in Luzon and seven areas in the Bicol region, the Visayas and Mindanao have been designated as Scenic Highways, all with great amenities for the traveler.
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