Batanes, considered as of the paradise in the Philippines, is located at the north top of the country, which comprises of small little islands. The island is propagated on a 4,500 sq km. area of regional waters namely: The Luzon Strait and the Balintang Channel. This is where the Pacific Ocean joins with the South China Sea. Bashi Channel bounds it on the north, Pacific Ocean bounds it on the east, South China Sea bounds it on the west, and lastly, Balintang Chanel bound is on the south. The island is characterized by lightly rolling hills, cliffs, and dark and light-colored sand beaches. If you plan to go there and you’ll be coming from Manila, expect an 860 kilometers (approx. 525 miles) travel. This paradise’s capital city is Basco, and is about 280 kilometers northward of Aparri, while it is about 190 kilometers south of Taiwan. Batanes composes of three major islands, which are: Batan that contains the town capital of Basco, Itbayat, and Basco. Close by are seven little islands including Amianan, which is the closest to Formosa. Thus, Batanes has been identified as the Philippines’ possible way to East China.

Batanes has been known as the home of the famous Ivatans who are also known as the “True Insulares”. The Ivatans are of Malay fund, tracing their roots to earlier immigrants from Formosa, Taiwan as well as Spaniards who came to the Philippines on the 16th century. The Ivatans have kept the purity of their gene pond through moment because of being an insular people.

The Batanes weather is quite enjoyable. Compared to the rest of the Philippines, the Batanes Paradise is blessed with a cooler climate. It enjoys practically four seasons, the better one being summertime which is from March to June. Batanes’ average monthly rain is 450 mm. According to the 2002 Census of population, the Island of Batanes has a registered population of 16,467 people distributed over a land area of 230 sq km. Their spoken dialect is called Ivatan. This dialect has been spoken by 93.94 % of the whole island. Ilocano language has also been spoken in the island, while the English and the Filipino language has been generally spoken and understood on the island.

Batanes has been opened for everybody, whether if you’re a foreigner or a Filipino, to visit. Great and spectacular views of the oceans and mountains can be found in here. Truly, Batanes is enough proof to call this country, paradise Philippines.