The Philippine Archipelago is entirely in the Tropics. They lie north
of the Dutch and British Island of Borneo and the Dutch Island of
Celebes; South of the Japanese Island of Formosa; East of French
Indo-China, and Southeast of Hongkong and the Southern provinces
of China.
[Number of Islands]
There are 7,083 islands in all extending 1,152 statute miles from
north to south and 688 statute miles from east to west. Two thousand
four hundred and forty-one of the Islands have names, while 4,642
are unnamed. The northernmost Island known as Y'Ami Island is 65
miles from Formosa while the southernmost, called Salwag, 4° 40'
from the Equator, is only 30 miles east of Borneo.
[Total Land Area]
The total land area of the entire archipelago is approximately 115,000
square miles. This is in excess of the combined areas of the States
of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware; only about
7,000 square miles less than the total area of the British Isles;
about 5,000 square miles more than the total area of Italy; and about
two-thirds the size of Spain. Luzon Island alone which is the largest
is as large as Denmark, Belgium, and Holland combined. It contains
46,969 square miles. Mindanao, the second largest, is about equal in
area to Portugal. Ten islands contain more than 10,000 square miles
each or 6,400,000 acres; while 20 of the islands have between 100 and
1,000 square miles each. About seven-eighths of the total number of
islands composing the Archipelago contain less than 1 square mile each.
[Bays and Straits]
There are twenty-one fine harbors and eight land-locked straits. Manila
Bay with an area of 770 square miles and a circumference of 120 miles
is reputed to be the finest in the Far East. It is said that it can
accommodate the entire fleet of the world. It is a roadstead, in all
parts of which vessels can anchor. Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Zamboanga,
and Jolo are at present the ports of entry.
The interisland waters are shallow, averaging between seventy-five
and five hundred fathoms.
[Mountains]
There are at least seven principal mountain ranges and twenty more
or less active volcanoes. Mount Apo in Mindanao is the highest being
9,610 feet. Canlaon in Negros is second with 7,995 feet; Mayon in
Albay third, with 7,943 feet.
[Rivers]
Nearly all the principal islands have important river systems. In
Luzon are the Rio Grande de Cagayan, 220 miles long, which drains
16,000 square miles of territory, the Rio Grande de Pampanga,
emptying into Manila Bay through a dozen mouths, the Agno, the Abra,
Bued, and the more familiar Pasig. The Rio Grande de Mindanao, 330
miles long, is the largest in the Islands, and the Agusan, also in
Mindanao, is the third in size. Mindoro has 60 rivers and Samar,
26. In Panay, are the Jalaud and Panay and in Negros the Danao and
the Lanao. Inter-island steamers berth in the Pasig as far as the
Jones Bridge. The larger rivers, in addition to being navigable for
steamers and launches of light draft for distances of from 20 to 200
miles, could furnish abundant water power for manufacturing purposes.
[Lakes]
Mindanao, especially the basin of the Agusan, has a vast number of
lakes, among them the famous lakes Lanao, Mainit, and Lagusan. Laguna
de Bay, near Manila, Lake Naujan in Mindoro, Taal, and Bombon lakes
in Batangas, and Lake Bito in Leyte are also noted for size and beauty.
[Falls]
The Falls of Pagsanjan and the Botocan at Majayjay, in Laguna Province;
the Maria Cristina, the Pigduktan, and Kalilokan, in Mindanao, are
the largest and most beautiful.
[Mineral Springs]
Some 170 or more medico-mineral springs, hot and cold, are known in
the Islands, many rivaling the most famous of Europe and America. Near
Manila are those of Los Baños, Sibul, Lemery, Tivi, and Marilao.
[Climate]
Father Algué, the world famous Director of the Weather Bureau,
divides the climate into three types, the classification being based
on distance above sea level and exposure to ocean breezes.
November, December, January, and February are the temperate
months. The mean average temperature at this season is about 77° to 79°
Fahrenheit. In April, May, and June, the hot months, the mean average
is between 83° and 84°. In other months it is about 80°. The nights
are seldom unpleasantly hot even in the hot season, and a temperature
of 100° is a rarity in Manila. The mountain regions of the north are
cool as September in the temperate zone. The mean average maximum
for Baguio is 80° and the minimum 53°. Far south, nearer the equator,
in some localities it is hotter; but Zamboanga and the Provinces of
Bukidnon and Lanao boast a most agreeable and healthful climate.
The climate is thus mildly tropical. Sunstrokes are unknown. The
recorded death rate per 1,000 whites in Manila for 1917 was 8.8, as
compared with 16.5 for New York, 15 for San Francisco, 14 for Chicago,
18 for Glasgow, and 22 for Belfast.