Batanes
is the northernmost group of Philippine islands locatod precisely
between 20 dogrses 15 minutes to 21 degrees 15 minutes east longitude
and between 121 dogrses to 122 dogrees 15 minutes north latitude.
Description
Characterized
by a complex of terrestrial, wetland and marine ecosystem, the Batanes
group of islands consist of 10 small islands bounded by the Eashi
Channel on the north, by the Pacific Ocean on the east, by the South
China Sea on the west and the Balintang Channel on the south. It is one
of the last remaining areas in the Philippines having unique natural
physiographic features (wave-cut cliffs, cave-like outcrops, secluded
white sand beaches) resulting from its position where strong winds and
fast currents have etched out its distinct morphology.It is an
important flyaway for many migratory bird species, and the deper
portions of the marine environment are the few remaining sites where
pink and red corals (Corallum sp.) are found.
The site is the only area
in the Philippines where traditional architecture is of stone in
response to the wind and monsoon stresses rather than of the more
typical, tropical, impermanent materials (wood, bamboo, thatch)
cxommonly used in village architecture.
Due to its isolation from the
rest of the country, the traditional culture of the area has likewise
remained intact.
