Catanduanes
Catanduanes | |
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(clockwise from top) Binurong Point, Talisoy Beach, Twin Rock Beach Resort, Mamangal Beach, and Downtown Virac | |
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Flag Seal | |
Nicknames:
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| Anthem: "Inang Catandungan" (Catanduanes Beloved) | |
Location in the Philippines | |
Interactive map of Catanduanes | |
| Coordinates: 13°48′N 124°15′E / 13.800°N 124.250°E | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Bicol Region |
| Founded | September 26, 1945 |
| Capital and largest municipality | Virac |
| Government | |
| • Type | Sangguniang Panlalawigan |
| • Governor | Patrick Alain T. Azanza (Independent) |
| • Vice Governor | Robert A. Fernandez (Lakas) |
| • Representative | Eulogio R. Rodriguez (Lakas) |
| • Legislature | Catanduanes Provincial Board |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,492.16 km2 (576.13 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 70th out of 82 |
| Highest elevation (Mount Tamboo) | 695 m (2,280 ft) |
| Population (2024 census) | |
• Total | 261,169 |
| • Rank | 67th out of 82 |
| • Density | 175.027/km2 (453.319/sq mi) |
| • Rank | 50th out of 82 |
| Demonyms |
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| Divisions | |
| • Independent cities | 0 |
| • Component cities | 0 |
| • Municipalities | |
| • Barangays | 315 |
| • Districts | Legislative district of Catanduanes |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)52 |
| ISO 3166 code | PH-CAT |
| Spoken languages | |
| Demonym | Catandunganon |
| Highway routes | |
| Website | catanduanes |
Catanduanes (/ˌkɑːtɑːndʊˈɑːnɛs/; Tagalog pronunciation: [kɐtɐndʊˈɐnes]), officially the Province of Catanduanes (Filipino: Lalawigan ng Catanduanes), is an island province located in the Bicol Region of Luzon in the Philippines. It is the 12th-largest island in the Philippines, and lies to the east of Camarines Sur, across the Maqueda Channel. Its capital, and most populated town is Virac. Catanduanes had a population of 271,879 people as of the 2020 census.
The province comprises Catanduanes (mainland or main island), as well as the outer islands of Panay, Leyte, the Palumbanes group of islands (Porongpong, Tignob, and Calabagio), and several small islets and rocks. The province is also home to various mollusc fossil sites, notably the second-oldest ammonite site in the Philippines. These sites contain certain species of ammonites that are found nowhere else in Southeast Asia. Because of the province's importance and rich geologic history, scholars have suggested that it could be named a UNESCO Geopark Reserve.
In the early 20th century, Catanduanes was a sub-province of Ambos Camarines and later, of Albay. It became an autonomous province in 1945. Congressman Francisco Perfecto filed House Bill No. 301, which separated the province from Albay; the bill was approved on September 26, 1945, and signed into law by President Sergio Osmeña on October 24, 1945. Remigio Socito, previously the Lieutenant Governor, was appointed the first Provincial Governor. When elections were held in 1947, Alfonso V. Usero became the first elected Governor.
On April 15, 2022, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11700, declaring Catanduanes province as the Philippines' abacá capital.