This section gives you an overview of the diverse and unique Philippine geography, which makes the country extraordinarily special and distinct from its neighoring Asian countries.
In the Philippines you'll find a variety of amazing landscapes - from rugged mountain ranges, expansive valleys, lush green forests, unique volcanic forms, long stretches of powdery white sandy beaches - all within easy reach of each other.
All these make the Philippines a perfect destination for a wide range of activities including mountain climbing, hiking, trekking, cave exploration, bird watching, kayaking, kiteboarding, whitewater rafting, surfing, whale watching, snorkelling, and diving.
The Philippines is the world's second largest archipelago, made up of 7,107 islands with a total land area of 300,439 sq. km (115,707 square miles).
To give you a little bit more perspective, it is about as large Italy, larger than Arizona, New Zealand or Great Britain, and more than twice the size of Greece.
The archipelago has three main island groups: Luzon (the country's largest island, and where you can find the country's capital Manila), Visayas (a tight group of islands, right at the heart of the country) and Mindanao (the second largest island that lies in the south).
Glorious Peaks
Except for Luzon and Mindanao, the Philippines islands are actually the crests of submerged mountain ranges. The northern Luzon highlands or Cordillera Central rise to between 2,500 and 2,750 meters. Sierra Madre in Luzon, also known as the Pacific coast range, is the longest continuous mountain range in the Philippines.
These mountains, together with the mountains of Mindanao boast of rain forests that provide refuge for more than 500 species of birds, some 800 species of orchids, and some 8,500 species of flowering plants.
Grand Stairways to Heaven
The world famous Ifugao Rice terraces climb the massive slopes of the Cordilleras. It is often referred to as the eigth wonder of the world. Built more than 2,000 years ago on by Ifugao farmers these terraces seem like a gigantic stairways to heaven.
These terraces would extend 14,000 miles if placed end to end, almost ten times longer than the famous Great Wall of China and more than half of the earth's circumference. The Rice Terraces have been inscribed on the World Heritage list on 1975.
Super-size "Kisses"
In Bohol Philippines, one can find the spectacular Chocolate Hills - another natural wonder. The Chololate Hills consist of 1,268 haycock hills that are uniform in shape and are mostly between 30 and 50 meters high. The hills are covered with grass, which dry up and turn brown during summer transforming the area into rows and rows of giant chocolate 'Kisses.'
Majestic Cones
Volcanoes dot the Philippine islands, which is part of the western acific arc system. At least ten of these volcanoes are considered active; the rest are dormant. Mt. Mayon (2462m/ 8075ft) is the most active and is described as the world's most perfect volcanic cone. Mt. Taal is the world's smallest volcano and is situated in the middle of a lake in Batangas 60 kilometers south of Manila. The Philippines' highest peak is Mt. Apo (2,954m/9689ft), which is in Mindanao and is a dormant volcano.
Gorgeous Coastline
The Philippines has an irregular coastline that extends to about 36,389 km twice as long as that of continental United States. This irregularity results in numerous fine harbors.Manila Bay, which is popular for its sunset, is one of the finest natural harbors in the world.
Extensive Rivers
The country's most extensive river systems are the Pulangi (Rio Grande), which flows into the Mindanao River; the Agusan, in Mindanao which flows north into the Mindanao Sea; the Cagayan in northern Luzon; and the Pampanga, which flows south from east Central Luzon into Manila Bay.
Laguna de Bay, southeast of Manila Bay, is the largest freshwater lake in the Philippines. Several rivers have been harnessed for hydroelectric power. Off the coast of eastern Mindanao is the Philippine Trough, which descends to a depth of 10,430 meters.
Stunning Silky White Sand Beaches
With over 7,000 islands and extensive coastline, the Philippines has countless stunning beaches. Among the favorites are Puerto Galera in Mindoro, Boracay, Malapascua in Cebu, Alona Beach in Bohol, and Puerto Princesa in Palawan - all of which consistently rate high in the world's list of best beaches. Apart from being known for their powdery white sands and exceptionally clear crystal waters, these sites offer a wealth of opportunities for diving and coral-cruising.
Rich and Rare Coral Reefs
Philippine coral reefs are regarded among the finest in the world. One of the most notable is Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park in Palawan, which lies in the heart of Sulu Sea. It has 33,200 hectares of underwater paradise teeming with diverse
marine life. Tubbataha was inscribed in the World Heritage List in 1993. It is one of only nine purely marine World Heritage Sites in the world and the only one in South East Asia.
Except for Luzon and Mindanao, the Philippines islands are actually the crests of submerged mountain ranges. The northern Luzon highlands or Cordillera Central rise to between 2,500 and 2,750 meters. Sierra Madre in Luzon, also known as the Pacific coast range, is the longest continuous mountain range in the Philippines.
The world famous Ifugao Rice terraces climb the massive slopes of the Cordilleras. It is often referred to as the eigth wonder of the world. Built more than 2,000 years ago on by Ifugao farmers these terraces seem like a gigantic stairways to heaven.
In 
Volcanoes dot the Philippine islands, which is part of the western acific arc system. At least ten of these volcanoes are considered active; the rest are dormant. Mt. Mayon (2462m/ 8075ft) is the most active and is described as the world's most perfect volcanic cone. Mt. Taal is the world's smallest volcano and is situated in the middle of a lake in Batangas 60 kilometers south of Manila. The Philippines' highest peak is Mt. Apo (2,954m/9689ft), which is in Mindanao and is a dormant volcano.
The Philippines has an irregular coastline that extends to about 36,389 km twice as long as that of continental United States. This irregularity results in numerous fine harbors. Manila Bay, which is popular for its sunset, is one of the finest natural harbors in the world.
The country's most extensive river systems are the Pulangi (Rio Grande), which flows into the Mindanao River; the Agusan, in Mindanao which flows north into the Mindanao Sea; the Cagayan in northern Luzon; and the Pampanga, which flows south from east Central Luzon into Manila Bay.
With over 7,000 islands and extensive coastline, the Philippines has countless stunning beaches. Among the favorites are Puerto Galera in Mindoro, 
Philippine coral reefs are regarded among the finest in the world. One of the most notable is Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park in 