Region 5, officially designated as the Bicol Region and commonly referred to as Bicolandia, is an administrative region in the Philippines grouped under the Luzon island group.
Quick Summary:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Land Area (2013) | 181.14 km2 (6994.04 sq mi) |
| Population as of 01 May 2020 | 6,082,165 |
| Regional Center | City of Legazpi |
| Provinces of Region 5 | Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon |
| Consists of | 7 cities, 107 municipalities, and 3,471 barangays |
Also Read: List of Regions in the Philippines
Geography
The Bicol Region comprises the southern part of Luzon, the largest island in the Philippine archipelago. The region is bounded by Lamon Bay to the north, the Philippine Sea to the east, and the Sibuyan Sea and Ragay Gulf to the west. The total land area is 5.9% of the total land area of the country.
Region 5 Map
Provinces and Cities
The region covers 6 provinces, namely, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon. The regional center is the City of Legazpi. Bicol Region has 6 provinces, 107 municipalities, and 7 cities. The total number of barangays in the region is 3,471.
Provinces in Region 5, Philippines
Region 5 is composed of six provinces, each with its unique history, culture, and attractions.
Albay
Albay is a province located in the Bicol Region of the Philippines, mostly in the southeastern part of the island of Luzon. Its capital is the city of Legazpi. The province is known for its iconic Mayon Volcano, which is famous for its near-perfect cone shape.
Camarines Norte
Camarines Norte is a province in the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Daet. The province is bordered by Quezon to the west, Camarines Sur to the south, and the Philippine Sea to the north.
Camarines Sur
Camarines Sur, officially the Province of Camarines Sur, is a province in the Philippines located in the Bicol Region on Luzon. Its capital is Pili. The province is the largest among the six provinces in the Bicol Region both by population and land area.
Catanduanes
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 Maqueda Channel. Its capital is Virac.
Masbate
Masbate is an island province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region. Its capital is Masbate City. The province of Masbate comprises the islands of Burias, Ticao, and Masbate.
Sorsogon
Sorsogon is a province in the Philippines situated in the Bicol Region. Its capital is the City of Sorsogon. The province has a land area of 2,119.01 square kilometers or 818.15 square miles.
Each of these provinces offers a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture, making Region 5 a fascinating area to explore in the Philippines. Whether you’re interested in outdoor adventures, historical sites, or cultural experiences, you’ll find something to enjoy in each of these provinces.
Population
Its population as determined by the 2020 Census was 6,082,165. This represented 9.78% of the overall population of the Luzon island group or 5.58% of the entire population of the Philippines. Based on these figures, the population density is computed at 336 inhabitants per square kilometer or 870 inhabitants per square mile.
History
The Bicol region was known as Ibalong, variously interpreted to derive from ibalio, “to bring to the other side”; ibalon, “people from the other side” or “people who are hospitable and give visitors gifts to bring home”; or as a corruption of Gibal-ong, a sitio of Magallanes, Sorsogon where the Spaniards first landed in 1567. The Spanish influence in Bicol resulted mainly from the efforts of Augustinian and Franciscan Spanish missionaries.
Economy
During the Spanish era, Bicol was dotted by many astilleros (shipyards) which were focused on constructing Manila Galleons, the heaviest ships in their time, from the local hardwood forests. These Manila Galleons were responsible for trade between Asia and the Americas.
Bicol also has Latin-American settlements and cultural influence mostly from Mexico due to the abundance of chili pepper plantations in the area, as it is Mexican in origin.