The island-province of Batanes was created by a series of volcanic activities and other geologic forces millions of years ago.

     The province is home to the famous Ivatans who are nationally acclaimed as the “True Insulares”. The Ivatans are of Malay stock, tracing their roots to early immigrants from Formosa, Taiwan as well as Spaniards who came to the island in the 16th century. Being an insular people, the Ivatans have kept the purity of there gene pool through time.

     The island-province is strewn on panes of territorial waters, the Luzon Strait and Balintang Channel, where the Pacific Ocean merges with the South China Sea, a sea-lane between the Philippines and the southern parts of Japan, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. It is bounded on the north by the Bashi Channel, on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the west by the South China Sea, and on the south by the Balintang Channel. Batanes is about 860 kilometers (approx. 525 miles) from Manila. Basco, the capital town, is 280 kilometers north of Aparri and 190 kilometers south of Taiwan. In addition, it is an area that for generations is almost isolated from the rest pf the Philippines. Batanes consists of 10 tiny islands and islets namely: Batan, Sabtang, Itbayat, Mavudis, Siayan, Diogo, North Island and Y’ami. Only the first three islands are inhabited. In relation to its concluding islets we also have Amianan, which is the closest to Formosa. Thus, Batanes has been identified as the country’s potential gateway to East China.

     The province is hilly and mountainous, with only 1,631.50 hectares or 7.10% of its area level to undulating and 78.20% or 17,994.40 hectares varying in terms from rolling to steep and very steep land. Because of the terrain of the province, drainage is good and prolonged flooding in non-existent. The main island of Batan has the largest share of level and nearly level lands followed by Itbayat and Sabtang respectively. The terrain of the province while picturesque at almost every turn, has limited the potential for expansion of agriculture in an already very small province.

                                         Political Subdivisions

     Batanes has six municipalities, 29 barangays, and one congressional district. The six municipalities of Basco, Ivana, Mahatao, Uyugan and the island municipalities of Sabtang and Itbayat.

     BASCO - Basco is the capital of Batanes. It is the biggest in terms of population and most urbanized among the six towns of the province. It is located at a level area at the tip of Batan Island bounded on the east by Mount Iraya and on the west by Basco Bay. Being the capital of the province offices of most national government agencies are with the larger business establishments and collegiate institutions all based in the town.

     IVANA - The municipality of Ivana is the third town in Batan island. It is located in a narrow coastal plain 14 kilometers south of Basco. It is the country’s smallest municipality in terms of area and population. The town is the oldest in Batanes. It was founded in 1686 and established as a unit of government in 1785. It was here where the Katipuneros landed in 19 September 1898.

     MAHATAO - The town of Mahatao nestles at the foot of three hills namely, Naydi in the south, Langud in the east and Mojorojoron on the north. The town was originally named San Carlos de Mahatao on November 4, 1798 by then Asst. Gov. Don Miguel de Amo in honor of the patron Saint San Carlos Boromeo. A brook runs in the middle of the town which supplied the people potable water before the construction system. Now it has the best water supply in the mainland.

     UYUGAN - Lies in the southern most tip of Batan Island approximately 24 kilometers from the capital. It has an area of 15.5 square kilometers. The town was founded in March 1801 by the Spaniards who made San Antonio de Florencia as the Patron Saint. Uyugan has two barrios namely: Itbud and Imnajbu located five and three kilometers from Centro respectively.

     SABTANG - is an island town with barrios scattered along the islet. It is more or less five kilometers from the seaport of Ivana. The place can be reached only by motorized water vessels or by Falowa rowed by men. The municipal water of Sabtang is the richest source of quality fish so fishermen from as far north as Basco go fishing around the place.

     ITBAYAT - The island municipality of Itbayat is the largest of the three inhabited islands that compose the province of Batanes. It is also the northernmost municipality in the Philippines, located only over 200 kilometers from the southernmost tip of Taiwan.

                                    An Overview of Tourist Spots

     Batanes is the New Zealand or Ireland or Scotland of the Philippines. Visit Valugan Basco, Sto. Domingo Church, Chanarian Beach, Long and Winding Road in Chawa, San Carlos Church, Diatay Falls, Jojmoron Cave, Maydangeb Cave, Mt. Matarem, Idjang, Ruins of Songsong, Vernacular Houses, Alapad Malboro Country, snack in Honesty Restaurant, Ivana Church, Barrio Nakanmuan, Barrio Sumnanga, Rest, Relax in Unwind in White Sand China Beach, Barrio Savidug and Barrio Chavayan, Fisherman’s Village, Crystal Cave, Racjuaide, Spring of Youth, Tukon Radar and Naidi hills, World War II Tunnels, Boat Shape Burial Site and Idjang old Settlement.