Luzon

Luzon is the biggest island in the Philippine Archipelago and accounts for more than half of the country's gross national product (GNP). A large variety of different crops is harvested throughout the year, making Luzon a major production center of agricultural products. Industries are established around major cities like e.g. Metro Manila, Olongapo or Legaspi. Industrial parks, export processing or free trade zones established in the recent years, attracted additional new investments. The former US naval base Subic Bay in Olongapo, was successfully transferred into a multi-segment zone under local government, consisting today of a free trade zone, resort and leisure complex. Today multinational companies operating in the international courier service or semiconductor industry have their Asian headquarters or production facilities in this area.

Ilocos Region

Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte are the two most northern provinces, having a landscape of sand dunes, mountains and coastal planes. Ilocos is known for tobacco, which remains an important crop and a source of major income for most farmers.

Vigan, the capital city of Ilocos Sur is known for it's Spanish-inspired architecture. Laoag, the capital city of Ilocos Norte, has an international airport providing good access to abroad as well as the link with destinations throughout the Philippines. Several excellent resort hotels can be found here.

La Union stretches along the China Sea on the northern west coast and the Cordillera Mountain Range on the east. Tourist attractions are numerous. Good beach resorts and hotels can be found in the towns of San Fernando, Baoang, San Juan, Caba and Agoo. The province is only four to five hours away by car from Manila.

Pangasinan province is known for it's lovely beaches. The Hundred Islands National Park is a major tourist attraction. Scattered off the coast of Lucap in Alaminos are 123 island and islets looking like giant turtles.

Cordillera Region

This region is known for it's cool climate and the famous rice terraces. The cordillera Administrative Region is composed of five provinces, Abra, Benguet, Kalinga-Apayao, Mountain Province and Ifugao and the independent city of Baguio.

Abra has fertile valleys which grow various crops, like rice, corn and tobacco. Its attractions are the Victoria Park on Casamata Hill, Licuan Rice Terraces, the Lagayan Caves, the Arbis waterfall and the Consoliman Cool Spring.

The Mountain Province is composed of 10 municipalities. Sagada is known for it's limestone structures, while pine trees surround the place. The Bokong Falls, located 30 minutes from the village proper, is an attractive waterfall with a natural pool. From Baguio, one can travel to Sagada via bus or jeepney.

Bontoc is the capital of Mountain Province, and is the center of the rich and colorful Ifugao culture. The town has an Igorot Museum which shows the culture of the different tribes. Bontoc also has it's own rice terraces called Malengcong Rice terraces. Barlig is a village very famous for it's basket weaving.

The province of Ifugao has gained fame for it's rice terraces. Considered the Eighth Wonder of the World, the terraces were constructed some 2000 years ago by the Ifugao tribe people. Carved out of the mountain sides, they run like stepping stones towards the sky. If connected end to end, the length of the terraces would circle half of the globe, or ten times the length of the Great Wall of China.

Benguet is located 5,000 feet above sea level. Lying on top of the Cordillera Mountains, Benguet's terrain and valleys have attracted foreigners from various parts of the world. Baguio City is the summer capital of the Philippines. Here one can appreciate the scent of pine trees, the beauty of fresh flowers, the freshness of vegetables and fruits. Baguio enjoys a cool climate most of the year.

Cagayan Valley

The Cagayan Valley is interlocked by the central Cordillera and the Sierra Madre, with fertile land. The Cagayan River is the longest and widest river in the country.

Batanes island, often referred to as Home of the Winds, is the smallest province in the Philippines. The capital town is Basco, about 280 kilometers north of Manila Batanes is an enchanting island with a rich collection of natural resources. Spanish churches and limestone houses reminiscent of Irish country homes. White sand beaches are surrounding the fishing villages. For those who go for stormy weather, Batanes is the island for you as it is exposed to storms seven months of the year.

Palaui Island, located at San Vicente, is an untouched paradise with lovely beaches made attractive by the presence of abundant marine resources and wildlife.

Isabela, the country's major tobacco producing province. It's rice and tobacco farms are nourished by the Cagayan River. Resorts can be found in various parts of Isabela.

Central Luzon

Nueva Ecija occupying the eastern side of the Central Luzon Plain. Hot springs in Rizal and Talugtog, the waterfalls in Carranglaan and San Jose, the Aurora Park which covers more than 5,000 hectares of jungles are just a few of plenty scenic spots.

The province of Zambales is popular for it's lovely, long stretched beaches. The provincial capital is Iba, a town known for it's street dancing performed on every 28th of August in honor of the town's patron Saint, St. Augustine.

The commercial center is Olongapo City where the Subic Naval base, a former US military facility is located. Subic Bay was converted into a special economic free-port area. Recreational facilities inside the Subic Bay complex include several beaches and swimming pools, as well as an area for horseback riding or excursions in to the nearby preserved jungle.

Bataan Island has occupied an important part in the history of the Philippines. Filipino and American troops retreated to the island during World War II in the fight against the Japanese.

Pampanga province is surrounded by Tarlac, Bataan, Bulacan and Nueva Ecija. Pampanga is still trying to recover from the tragedy brought about by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991. With some towns still under heavy mud, it is difficult to travel especially during the rainy season.

Southern Luzon

The southern part of Luzon is characterized by coconut trees and native handicrafts The province of Quezon is famous for it's handicrafts, bamboo and Buri home furnishing and accessories, crocheted items, Buntal bags and basketry. Most popular of the tourist attraction is Villa Escudero. It is a rice and coconut hacienda situated by a lake. This resort is a good example showing the typical Filipino country lifestyle.

Batangas province is approximately two hours drive south from Manila and is the favorite destination of those longing for sea and sand. The beaches of Nasugbu have gained popularity for their white sands and facilities for snorkeling and other water sports. Several first class resorts are also based in Nasugbu.

About 56 kilometers south of Manila lies Tagaytay City, known as the garden city. Rising 2,500 feet above sea level, Tagaytay is known for it's mountains, cool climate and source of fresh vegetable and fruits. From Tagaytay one can get a good view of Taal Volcano, an active volcano within a lake.

Laguna de Bay, east of Metro Manila has been an important source of livelihood for fishermen living in it's vicinity. Scientists believe that Laguna de Bay in prehistoric times was part of the bay of Manila, but due to an earthquake caused by volcanic activities was cut off from the sea.

Los Banos, a small town in Laguna, is situated at the foot of Mount Makiling. The town derived it's name from the Spanish word Los Banos, due to the presence of hot springs The University of the Philippines has it's forestry institute in Los Banos and the well accredited International Rice Research Institute has it's research station. Here scientist from all over the world are working on research projects and the largest data and specimen bank of rice is established.

Bicol region

The Bicol region is a unique area most noted for the Mayon Volcano, Pili nuts, basket ware and it's hot spicy dishes.

Sorsogon, one of the smallest provinces in the Bicol peninsula, is also gateway to the Visayas and Mindanao island. Often called Switzerland of the East, Sorsogon's rolling hills and green valleys are covered with all kinds of food crops. The Rizal Beach, located in Gubat, is a long and sandy beach ideal for boating, swimming and beach combing.

Camarines Norte Serves as gateway to the Bicol Region and is the site of fine white sand beaches.

Mindoro and Palawan Islands

The island of Mindoro has several points of interest: The Apo Reef is considered the Diving Mecca of the Philippines; the Ambulong Island, which has attractive white sand beaches or visit Mount Iglit, a reservation area and game sanctuary for Tamaraws or wild water buffaloes and the Busuanga River where rare Philippine Tamaraws are hunted. Oriental Mindoro is popularly known as the site of the Puerto Galera beaches and the home of the Mangyan tribes.

Palawan Island lies on the southwest of the Philippine archipelago and is just north of Malaysia's Sabah island. It consists of 1,769 islands and islets divided into three mayor groups: the Calamian Island group to the north; the Cuyo Island group in the northwest; and the Balabac-Bugsuk group in the southwest. Palawan's capital is Puerto Princesa, a dynamic city with a well developed infrastructure and well educated population.

Palawan is known for its white sand beaches, magnificent landscape, rainforests and fishing villages. The province has several sites which attracts divers from various parts of the world. More importantly, Palawan's attraction lies in the presence of the largest preservation of marine and wildlife.