Philippines Geography

The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, traditionally grouped into three major regions -- Luzon in the north, home to Manila; the Visayas in the center, including Cebu and Boracay; and Mindanao in the south, the country's second-largest island.

Palawan, to the west, is often treated as its own distinct region given its markedly different character -- dramatic limestone karst scenery around El Nido and Coron.

The country sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, with active volcanoes like Mayon and Taal, and directly in the path of the Pacific typhoon belt.