As an archipelago, the Philippines comprises about 7,641 islands [1] [2] clustered into three major island groups: Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. Only about 2,000 islands are inhabited, [3] and more than 5,000 are yet to be officially named. [2]
The following list breaks the islands down by region and smaller island group for easier reference.
Below is a list of the largest Philippine islands. There are discrepancies in the area estimates across various sources, which would change the rankings of some smaller islands. The areas given may not be definitive.
The 50 largest islands have a combined area of around 321,000 square kilometers (124,000 sq mi) and a combined population of about 100.9 million (2015); thus they contain about 99% of the Philippines' total land area and total population (2015). Combined population of Luzon and Mindanao accounts for 80% of total population of the Philippines.
Major islands of the Philippines (clickable map)
In the Philippines, provinces are one of its primary political and administrative divisions. There are 82 provinces at present, which are further subdivided into component cities and municipalities. The local government units in the National Capital Region, as well as independent cities, are independent of any provincial government. Each province is governed by an elected legislature called the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and an elected governor.
Surigao del Norte, officially the Province of Surigao del Norte, is a province in the Philippines located in the Caraga region of Mindanao. The province was formerly under the jurisdiction of Region 10 until 1995. Its capital is Surigao City, the most populous in the province. The province comprises two major islands—Siargao and Bucas Grande—in the Philippine Sea, plus a small area at the northeastern tip of mainland Mindanao and other surrounding minor islands and islets. This mainland portion borders Agusan del Norte – between the Municipality of Alegria in Surigao del Norte and the Municipality of Kitcharao in Agusan del Norte; and the province of Surigao del Sur, to the south.
Surigao del Sur, officially the Province of Surigao del Sur, is a province in the Philippines located in the Caraga region in Mindanao. Its capital is Tandag City while Bislig is the most populous city in the province. Surigao del Sur is situated at the eastern coast of Mindanao and faces the Philippine Sea to the east.
Caraga, officially the Caraga Administrative Region and designated as Region XIII, is an administrative region in the Philippines occupying the northeastern section of Mindanao. The region was created through Republic Act No. 7901 on February 23, 1995. The region comprises five provinces: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur; six cities: Bayugan, Bislig, Butuan, Cabadbaran, Surigao and Tandag; 67 municipalities and 1,311 barangays. Butuan, the most urbanized city in Caraga, serves as the regional administrative center.
Dinagat, officially the Municipality of Dinagat, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Dinagat Islands, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 10,621.
Surigao City, officially the City of Surigao, is a 1st class component city and capital of the province of Surigao del Norte, Caraga Region, on the north-eastern island of Mindanao, Philippines. It is the most populous in the province with a population of 171,107 people according to 2020 census.
Siargao is a tear-drop shaped island in the Philippine Sea situated 196 kilometers southeast of Tacloban. It has a land area of approximately 437 square kilometres (169 sq mi). The east coast is relatively straight with one deep inlet, Port Pilar. The coastline is marked by a succession of reefs, small points and white, sandy beaches. The neighboring islands and islets have similar landforms. Siargao is known as the surfing capital of the Philippines, and was voted the Best Island in Asia in the 2021 Conde Nast Travelers Readers awards.
Dinagat Islands, officially the Province of Dinagat Islands, is an island province in the Caraga region of the Philippines, located on the south side of Leyte Gulf. The island of Leyte is to its west, across Surigao Strait, and mainland Mindanao is to its south. Its main island, Dinagat, is about 60 kilometres (37 mi) from north to south. San Jose serves as its provincial capital while Basilisa is the most populous town in the province.
Montenegro Shipping Lines, Inc. (MSLI) is a Philippine domestic shipping line based at Batangas City, Philippines. The office is located at Montenegro Corporate office, along Bolbok Diversion Road, Bolbok Batangas City. It operates passenger, cargo and RORO vessels to various destinations in the Philippines under the brands Montenegro Lines and Marina Ferries.
The Philippine Nautical Highway System, also the Road Roll-on/Roll-off Terminal System (RRTS) or simply the RoRo System, is an integrated network of highway and vehicular ferry routes which forms the backbone of a nationwide vehicle transport system in the Philippines. It is a system of roads and ports developed by the Philippine government to connect the major islands of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. The 919-kilometer (571 mi) nautical highway was opened to the public on April 12, 2003 as the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH).
The legislative districts of Surigao del Norte are the representations of the province of Surigao del Norte in the various national legislatures of the Philippines. The province is currently represented in the lower house of the Congress of the Philippines through its first and second congressional districts. The 1st legislative district comprises nine municipalities on the islands of Siargao and Bucas Grande ; the 2nd legislative district comprises Surigao City and eleven other municipalities on the mainland of Mindanao.
Bucas Grande is an island in the province of Surigao del Norte in the Philippines. The island is contiguous with the municipality of Socorro, Surigao del Norte. Its area is 128 square kilometres (49 sq mi). Its name means "large mouth" or "large opening" in Philippine Spanish in reference to the wide strait in between Bucas Grande and Socorro Island.
Mines and Geosciences Bureau - Caraga Region also known as the Caraga Administrative Region, is a government agency responsible for the regulation, management, and development of the mineral resources in the region. It is under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Caraga Region is located at northeastern part of Mindanao. It includes the five provinces of Dinagat Province, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur. Caraga Region is now hosting several mining projects producing various mineral commodities particularly but not limited to gold, copper, chrome, nickel, iron and limestone for concrete cement production. This makes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Regional Office No. 13 with Office located in Surigao City plays important role in the region's economy, job generation, social and environmental enhancement and protection and ensuring government shares through royalties and taxes.
San José or San Jose most often refers to:
Surigao del Norte's 1st congressional district is one of the two congressional districts of the Philippines in the province of Surigao del Norte. It has been represented in the House of Representatives since 1987. The district encompasses the island chains off the northeast coast of mainland Surigao del Norte. Since the 2007 redistricting following the separation of Dinagat Islands, the district now comprises the Siargao and Bucas Grande municipalities of Burgos, Dapa, Del Carmen, General Luna, Pilar, San Benito, San Isidro, Santa Monica and Socorro. It is currently represented in the 19th Congress by Francisco Jose Matugas II of the Lakas-CMD.