The number of islands in the Philippines is the most common question that every other people ask when they plan a trip to this beautiful haven. Let us see what is the answer to it!
The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. It is situated in the western Pacific Ocean and consists of 7,641 islands with a total land area of 300,000 square kilometres, which makes the Philippines world’s 5th largest island country.
For quite a long time, the estimated number of islands in the Philippines was 7,107. However, the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) reported that they discovered 534 more islands, increasing the number by 7,641.
Let’s learn a little bit more about how many islands in the Philippines;
Major Islands in the Philippines
Among these 7,641 islands, only 2000 are inhabited, and most of them have not been named yet. The Philippine archipelago is divided into three main islands: Luzon Island, Visayan Islands, and Mindanao Island.
1) Luzon Island
Luzon Island is the largest island in the Philippines. The word ‘Luzon’, was coined after the Tagalog word kalusunan (which means northern part). This island is ranked the 15th largest in the world by land area. Luzon is also the most populous island in the Philippines, with a population of about 53 million, according to the 2015 census.
Luzon also hosts the country’s capital city, making it a political and economic centre. Luzon is further subdivided into four major areas — Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and the National Capital Region.
Luzon is also referred to as one of the three primary island groups in the country. It includes the Luzon mainland, the Babuyan and the Batanes islands. The Batanes group of islands is located around 162 kilometres to the north of the Luzon mainland.
The Balintang Channel separates the Batanes islands from the Babuyan Islands. The Babuyan Islands are located in the Luzon Strait north of the main Luzon Island. Some of the major islands of Babuyan include the Calayan, Camiguin, Didicas Island and Balintang islands.
2) Visayan Islands
The Visayas, or the Visayan Islands, is a group of islands located in the central part of the archipelago. It consists of seven large and several hundred smaller islands clustered around the Visayan, Samar, and Camotes seas. The seven main islands are Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Masbate, Negros, Panay, and Samar.
These islands and their smaller neighbours comprise the Philippines archipelago’s central group. There are also three administrative regions in the Visayas: Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas.
Kanlaon, also known as Mount Kanlaon, is an active stratovolcano, the highest mountain on the island of Negros in the Philippines, and the highest point in the Visayas, with an elevation of 2,465 m (8,087 ft) above sea level.
3) Mindanao Island
Mindanao is the second largest island in the Philippines at 97,530 square kilometres, after Luzon and the seventh-most populous island in the world. According to the 2015 census, Mindanao has 25,700,000 inhabitants, while the entire island group has an estimated population of 27,021,036 as of 2021.
The island is mountainous and home to the country’s highest mountain, Mount Apo. Many active volcanoes, such as the Mayon Volcano, Mount Pinatubo, and Taal Volcano.
Mindanao island is part of the island group, which includes the Sulu Archipelago and the outlying islands of Camiguin, Dinagat, Siargao, and Samal.
Mindanao’s economy accounts for 14% of the country’s gross domestic product. The region grew 4.9% in 2016 against Luzon’s 5.5% and Visayas’ 9.1%.
Davao Region is the top-performing economy in Mindanao. And it is also the 5th-biggest economy in the country and the second-fastest-growing economy next to Cordillera Autonomous Region. While the region’s economy is predominantly agri-based, it is now developing into a centre for agro-industrial business, trade and tourism.
Interesting Facts on Islands in the Philippines
After learning about different islands in the Philippines and some major islands like Luzon, Visayan and Mindanao, how about we read some facts about islands in the Philippines?
1) Various Cities to Visit
- Manila, known as the “Pearl of the Orient” is the nation’s capital city. Manila quickly became a destination for foodies as it is well known for its varied cuisines and street food markets.
- Cebu City is among the Philippines most important cities for domestic and international tourists. It is also the country’s oldest city and one of the birthplaces of Christianity in the Philippines.
- Vigan is a World Heritage Site UNESCO with lots of unique architectural architecture expressing a fusion of European and Asian architecture and cobblestoned streets.
- Davao City is considered the largest city in the Philippines (by size) and the capital city of the Davao region. Davao City is a great getaway. Davao is also known as the home to the critically endangered bird species, the Philippine Eagle. Also known as the monkey-eating eagle, it is the national bird of the Philippines.
2) National Parks
The Philippines has an estimated 30 national parks. Several national parks offer different activities, including zip lining, boating, camping hikes, river cruises, wildlife sightings, snorkelling and kayaking. Some dedicated companies specialize in eco-tourism to assist in making more sustainable adventures obtainable. The parks feature things like kayaking, ziplining, camping and water-based excursions.
3) Beaches
Since the Philippines has thousands of islands, visitors are never far from a beach. You might want to try one of these under-the-radar locations that are emerging as popular beach destinations:
A. Panglao Island (Bohol)
The main gateway to the province of Bohol, Panglao Island to the southwest, is a 20-kilometre-long limestone island known for its popular diving spots. You’ll also find many white-sand beaches like Alona, Tawala, Dumaluan, and Doljo.
Panglao is esteemed for snorkelling and dive sites such as Doljo Beach, Garden Eels, Arco Point, Kalipayan, Napaling, and Puntod. The island also serves as the jumping point for other water-based adventures, such as dolphin and whale watching at Pamilacan Island and diving at Balicasag Island.
B. El Nido
El Nido, part of Palawan Island, has white-sand beaches, limestone cliffs, coral reefs, and clear, fish-filled waters, so it’s a popular spot for swimming, diving, and kayaking.
El Nido serves as a jumping-off point for island-hopping and exploring the secrets of the Bacuit Archipelago.
C. Camiguin
Known as the Island Born of Fire, Camiguin is a pear-shaped island with 7 volcanoes that formed many of its unique attractions. The island is full of natural wonders, including lagoons and lakes; cold, hot and soda springs; pristine waterfalls; and white-sand beaches on par with the finest in the country.
D. Calauit Island
Calauit Island, known for the crystal-clear waters off its shores, offers eco-tourists the chance to swim with dugongs. These animals, related to manatees, are believed to have inspired legends about mermaids.
Locals on Calauit Island lead conservation-minded tours and teach tourists about dugongs and how they can help ensure their continued survival.
4) Chocolate Hills
Located on the island of Bohol, the renowned Chocolate Hills is a sight to behold. As far as the eye can see, the hills seem to fall over one after another. The charming terrain is actually a natural formation. These dome-shaped hills are made of grass-covered limestone, about 1,268 to 1,776 individual mounds.
In the dry season, the green peaked and rounded mounds dry up. And they are said to look like- you guessed it- chocolate, hence the name. The majestic Chocolate Hills has been designated as a National Geological Monument by the Philippines.
5) Ifugao Rice Terraces
The Ifugao Rice Terraces, also known as the Banaue rice terraces in a few places, are another example of the beautiful landscapes found throughout the Philippines.
The terraces are over 2000 years old, and rice is farmed. They are located approximately 1,500 meters above sea level. These are fed by an ancient irrigation system from the rainforests above the terraces. The rice terraces are beautiful to look at and a spectacular example of industry working in harmony with nature.
In an interview with the Icy Tales team, Michael Brown, Managing Partner at Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers, talked about this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here is what he said:
“Truly, visiting here feels like exploring the 8th Wonder of the World! The Philippine Rice Terraces in Cordillera are colossal and almost surreal. These terraces are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attract both tourists and researchers from around the world.
The terraces stretch across large areas of cultivated mountain slopes, showcasing the immense collective effort it took to turn a challenging landscape into one that is both productive and stunning.
When I first saw the Ifugao rice terraces, I was struck by their beauty; an anthropologist once said they are “the most impressive scenes in the Philippines, the highlight of all its marvels.”
Their incredible scale is what makes them so breathtaking. While terraced farming is practiced in other parts of Asia and Central America, the terraces in Ifugao are unparalleled in their development. They’re not just admired for their size but also celebrated as an engineering feat.
The skill and creativity required to mold the mountains were extraordinary—the natives primarily used water as a means to move rocks and large stones, making nothing too big to transport.
Entire mountainsides were transformed into terraced, irrigated slopes, turning springs, streams, and rivers into irrigation channels.”
We further interviewed Cameron Holland, Marketing Director at GB Foam, and asked him about visiting this cultural heritage. Here is what he had to say:
“A profound fascination with the meeting point of natural beauty and cultural heritage inspires travel to off-the-beaten-path locations like the Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao, Philippines.
These locations provide a window into the inventiveness of people and their ties to the land. Seeing how prehistoric societies shaped the terrain to support themselves is inspirational, and being in the presence of these wonders inspires a deep sense of awe.”
6) The Wonder Of San Agustin Church
San Agustin Church is located in Manila and is an astounding building built during the Spanish Colonial Period. The church is the third building that has been erected in this space, as the first and second churches were both made of wood and destroyed by fire.
The building is made of stone now and has survived major earthquakes. A large number of people come to visit this beautiful church to learn about its incredible history and see its awe-inspiring magnificence.
7) Forget About The Real World At Malapascua Island
There are lots of islands in the Philippines, and visiting all of them could prove to be almost impossible; however, Malapascua Island is one that you should not miss out on.
This island is a tiny beach paradise that allows you to get away from everything for a few days while you relax. Rent a small beach bungalow and stop for a few days whilst you blend with the locals and their community.
Hope you guys enjoyed reading this article, islands in the Philippines, which answered some of your questions.
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Last Updated on by Sathi