Island Province of Catanduanes

Catanduanes is an island province bounded by the Maqueda Channel on the west, the Pacific Ocean on the north and east, and the Lagonoy Gulf and Cabugao Bay on the south. Other than the main island, there are a number of smaller islands of the northeast coast, which comprises the white islands of the province.

The island with a land area of 1, 511.5 square kilometers and is composed of 11 towns, with Virac as the capital.

Catanduanes is frequently visited by storms. However, the vessel that visits its ports are provided with safe anchorage by the bays and coves of Kalapalan, Gigmoto, Soboc, and Cabugao.

The province, formerly known as "Catanduan", "Catandognan", and finally "Catanduanes", derived its name from the "tando" trees which then abound in the island.

Catanduanes was once a part of Ibalon, now the province of Albay. On September 26, 1945, Commonwealth Act No. 687, Catanuanes ( a subprovince of Albay) became a separate and independent province.