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Marinduque

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Marinduque is an island province located in the Philippines. It sits within the Southwestern Tagalog Region, also known as Mimaropa. The island is shaped like a heart. It is positioned at the geographical center of the Philippine archipelago according to the Luzon Datum of 1911.

Ph fil marinduque
Ph fil marinduque

The island is surrounded by significant bodies of water. Tayabas Bay lies to the north. The Sibuyan Sea is located to the south. To the west, the Tablas Strait separates Marinduque from Mindoro Island. The Mompong Pass sits between the island and the Bondoc Peninsula in Quezon. Some of the provincial waters include parts of the Verde Island Passage. This area is known as the center of the center of the world's marine biodiversity. It is also a protected marine area.

Marinduque features diverse geological formations. The highest peak is Mount Malindig. It is a potentially active stratovolcano. A stratovolcano is a tall mountain built by layers of lava and ash. This peak sits at the southern tip of the island. The name Marinduque may come from the words malindig or malindug. These words mean "stand tall" or "elegant." This likely refers to the appearance of Mount Malindig. The island also contains complex cave systems. The Tarug Caves are made of limestone. They rise 270 feet above the ground. Bagumbungan Cave features a complex subterranean river. This is a river that flows underground.

The history of the island involves many different eras. In the Middle Ages, the island was called Malindig or Malindog. Spanish rule began in 1571. Governor-General Miguel López de Legaspi gave the island to Father Pedro de Herrera. He was the first Augustinian priest to introduce Christianity to the area. In 1881, a French naturalist named Antoine-Alfred Marche conducted archaeological work. He discovered many items like gold ornaments, vases, and skulls. He transported 40 crates of these finds to France. Some artifacts are now in the Musée de l'Homme in France. Others are in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. These finds included fragile jarlets that traveled from China to Marinduque.

Marinduque has experienced significant political changes. It was part of the first Philippine Republic from 1899 to 1901. During the Philippine-American War, the Battle of Pulang Lupa occurred. There, 250 Filipino soldiers defeated 54 American infantrymen. The island later faced Japanese occupation during the Second World War in 1942. During this time, the province was abolished and annexed to Tayabas. It was re-established as an independent province in 1945. American and Filipino troops liberated the island that same year. It then returned to the Commonwealth of the Philippines.

Today, the province is home to 239,207 people. This makes it the most densely populated province in the Mimaropa Region. The population density is 234,521 people per square kilometer. The capital is the municipality of Boac. Boac is the most populous town and the center of industry and education. Its name comes from a Tagalog word meaning "divided." This refers to the Boac River that splits the town. The province is also known for being very peaceful. In 2013, it was ranked the most peaceful province in the country by the Philippine National Police.

The province is divided into six municipalities. These are Boac, Buenavista, Gasan, Mogpog, Santa Cruz, and Torrijos. Each area has unique characteristics. Gasan is known as the cultural nerve center. It is also recognized as a very clean and green municipality. Mogpog is the primary gateway via the Balanacan Port. It is the original home of the Moriones Lenten Rites. This religious festival has been celebrated annually every Holy Week for almost 200 years. Torrijos is considered the summer capital and is known for growing strawberries. Santa Cruz is the largest municipality by land area.

Marinduque's environment is defined by its Type III climate. This means rainfall is distributed more or less evenly throughout the year. There is no clear boundary between dry and wet seasons. The average annual rainfall is 3,843 millimeters. The average humidity is 78% throughout the year. The average temperature is 27.1 degrees Celsius. These factors support the diverse life found in the island's waters and forests. The combination of volcanic soil, cave systems, and marine biodiversity makes the island a unique part of the Philippine archipelago.

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