Map of Batangas, Philippines
Founded on March 10, 1917, with a population of approximately 1,905,348, Batangas is one of the most popular tourist destinations near Metropolitan Manila. The province has many beaches and famous for excellent diving spots only a few hours away from Manila. Some of the more notable ones are Anilao in the Municipality of Mabini, Matabungkay in the Municipality of Lian Punta Fuego, Calatagan and Laiya in the Municipality of San Juan.
Found in the province is world-known Anilao (Mabini) and its many dive sites that are ideal for observing marine life, and outstanding for macro photography. Located only 110 kilometers south of Metropolitan Manila, it is very accessible by land or by sea.
Batangas is also where Taal Volcano, one of the Decade Volcanoes is located. The volcano has a water-filled crater and sits on an island in the center of Taal Lake, which geologists believe is an ancient caldera.
The town of Taal is famous for its hand embroideries, knives, and sausages; and it reigns as one of the two most culturally preserved sites of the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines.
Before the province came to be called Batangas, it was known in ancient times as the town of Bonbon. When it's Capital Town was declared to be Taal, the province also changed its name to Taal. After some time, the Capital was transferred to the Town of Batangan, later Batangas City, and the Province changed its name once more after the Capital.
The term batangan means a raft, the people used so that they could fish in the nearby Taal Lake.
People and culture
The Province of Batangas