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Albay - Land Of The World's Most Perfect Cone
Brief Description
IThe province of Albay is located between Camarines Sur on the north and Sorsogon on the south. It is bounded on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the northeast by the Lagonoy gulf, and on the west and southwest by the Burias Pass. The islands in the north under the jurisdiction of the province are Rapu-rapu, Bata, Cagraray, and San Miguel.
Albay has a land area of 2,552.6 square kilometers, consisting of 14 towns, and a population of 904,382. Its important products are hemp, coconut, sugar cane, pineapple, vegetable, and rice.
The mountains of the province are Mayon, Masaraga, and Malinao in the northeast and Catburaun in the west. Its forests are a source of timber, rattan, pili nuts, and gum elemi. There are also vast grasslands for pasturing horses, cattle, carabaos, goats, and sheep.
Geography
Located at the southern tip of Luzon Island and about 550 km. from Manila, Albay is approximately 13 to 13.5 degrees north latitude and 123.25 to 124.25 degrees east longitude. It is bounded by Lagonoy Gulf and the province of Camarines Sur on the northeast, the Pacific Ocean on the east, the province of Sorsogon on the south, and the Burias Pass on the southeast. It has a total land area of 2,552.6 km.
Political Subdivision
Albay is composed of three cities (Legazpi, Tabaco, Ligao) and 15 municipalities grouped into three congressional districts. Legazpi has been officially designated as the site of the regional offices.
Population
As of May 1, 2000, the Census of Population shows that Albay had reached 1,090,907 million inhabitants. The urban population constitutes 19.6% of the entire population, proving that Albaynos are predominantly living in rural areas.
Language/Dialects
Bicol, the local dialect, constitutes a strange variety in words and in diction among the 17 municipalities. Most puzzling is the amazing variation among towns of many words having the same meaning for one object or concept.
Bicol is generally spoken in Legazpi. The people speak Tagalog fluently and can communicate in English with ease.
Major Industries
The province has continued to direct its efforts toward the development of its industries. Of the total 6,369 manufacturing establishments in the Bicol Region, half are located in Albay. 48.6% of the large scale lot are operating in Albay. Among them are the export-oriented Isarog Pulp & Paper Mills and Albay Industrial Development Corporation.
Agriculture, however, still accounts for the largest share in the total production and employment. Coconut, rice, abaca, and corn are the major crops.
Handicrafts are the main source of rural income.
Albay is a major supplier of geothermal energy to the Luzon Grid with its Tiwi Geothermal Plant in Tiwi.
Climate
Albay experiences no dry season, with a very pronounced maximum rain period from December to January. The western areas have more or less heavily distributed rainfall throughout the year and the central areas have no pronounced maximum rain period with a short dry season from November to January. The province averages 20 typhoons yearly, ranging from 60-180 kph. Average rainfall is 233 millimeters; average temperature is 33.15 Celsius high and 22.60 Celsius low.
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