Languages

     The main languages spoken in Batanes are Ivatan, which is spoken on the islands of Batan and Sabtang, and Ichbayaten, which is spoken primarily on the island of Itbayat. The Ivatan which is dominant in the province is considered to be one of the Austronesian languages. From college level down to elementary level, the dialect is widely spoken.

Topography

     Batanes lies on a group of islands collectively called Batanes Islands and they are the northernmost islands of the Philippines. They are located between the Babuyan Islands (belonging to Cagayan Province) and Taiwan. The islands are sparsely populated and subject to frequent typhoons.

    The three largest islands are Itbayat, Batan, and Sabtang. The northernmost is Mavudis Island.

     Almost one-half of Batanes are hills and mountains. Batan Island, with a land area of 35 km², is generally mountainous on the north and southeast. It has a basin in the interior. Itbayat Island, which has a total area of 95 km², slopes gradually to the west, being mountainous and hilly along its northern, eastern coast. As for Sabtang, mountains cover the central part of its 41 km² area, making the island slope outward to the coast.

     The islands are situated between the vast expanse of the waters of Bashi Channel and Balintang Channel, where the Pacific Ocean, merges with the China Sea. The area is a sealane between the Philippines and Japan, China, Hongkong and Taiwan. It is rich with marine resources, including the rarest sea corals in the world.

     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. Forty two percent (42%) or 9,734.40 hectares are steep to very steep land.

     Generally, the Ivatans (people of Batanes) are very simple. They wear simple clothes and eat local produced food. They are also recognized for being hospitable to visitors.

     From the past times through the modern age, the Ivatans remained steadfast in their virtues and principles in life. This is one of the reasons why to this date, some of their stories remained untold .

Sources

Map of Batanes Islands:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1373/1475939759_b232bac38d.jpg
Basco Data:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basco,_Batanes
Mahatao Data:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahatao,_Batanes
Ivana Data:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivana,_Batanes
Uyugan Data: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uyugan,_Batanes
Sabtang Data:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabtang,_Batanes
Itbayat Data:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itbayat,_Batanes
Batanes / People and Culture/ Languages/ Topography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batanes