Catanduanes, Island province in Bicol Region, Philippines.
Catanduanes is an island province in the Bicol Region of the Philippines, covered with forested mountains and coastal villages along the beaches. The capital Virac sits on the southern shore, while the northern and eastern sections feature steep cliffs and rocky coves.
This province became an independent administrative unit in 1945, after being part of Ambos Camarines province before that. Virac was named the administrative seat at that time and has remained the political center of the island since then.
The name Catanduanes comes from the local word for the aruma tree, which once grew along the island's shores. Families in the interior still practice traditional handweaving, often using abaca fibers to create everyday items.
Flights from Manila to Virac take about one hour, while ferries from the mainland require several hours and may be cancelled depending on weather. Roads connect most coastal towns, but mountain routes can become slippery during heavy rain.
The island ranks first worldwide in producing abaca fibers, which come from a banana-like plant and are used in textile manufacturing. Many farms lie in the hills, where farmers harvest the long fibers and spread them to dry in the sun.
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