The historic province of Bataan is a small peninsula located across Metro Manila in southwestern Central Luzon. It is bounded on the north by Zambales, on the east and south by Manila Bay, and on the west by Luzon Sea. It is half an hour boat ride from Metro Manila or Cavite. Terrain is mostly mountainous with a narrow coastal plain in the eastern side. Highest peak is Mt. Mariveles (1,420 meters) followed by Mt. Natib (1,287 meters). It has two pronounced seasons: dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year.

Bataan Provincial Capitol

People are mostly Tagalogs. Other smaller groups include Kapampangans and Aetas.

1. Cayetano Arellano - First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (1901 - 1920)
2. Julian A. Banzon - 1986 National Scientist in chemistry
3. Pablo S. Antonio - 1976 National Artist for architecture
4. Lazaro Francisco - 2009 National Artist for Literature
5. Tomas pinpin - Considered as the Father of Philippine Printing

One of the most economically progressive provinces in the country, Bataan's poverty incidence at 10.5% slightly above Metro Manila's 10.4%. It is the third lowest in the country and the lowest in Central Luzon.

Agricultural production of Bataan in 2007 is as follows (figure in thousand metric tons, rank among 79 provinces)

Animal inventory of Bataan in 2007 are as follows (figure in thousand, rank among 79 provinces)

There are many manufacturing plants in Bataan. The largest is the petroleum refinery of Petron Corporation in Limay town. Nearby are petrochemical plants. The Bataan Export Processing Zone in Mariveles town in the southern part of the province is the first export zone to be established in the 1970s. Smaller factories are found in Orani and Dinalupihan. An industrial zone is rising in the former refugee center in Morong town. Tourism is fast becoming a major industry. A total of 62 banks were operating in the province with deposits of 11 billion pesos in 2007.

The province's strategic location makes it an ideal site for industries that supply the needs of those in the freeport of Subic and economic zone of Clark. Heavy industries such as iron and steel and chemicals are recommended. For small and medium enterprises, food processing, garments and footwear items, furniture and fixtures, and jewelry are possible ventures to go into. Considering that Subic Freeport has a limited space, eastward urban growth is expected to spill over into Dinalupihan town. In Fact, parts of Morong town is under the jurisdiction of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. So investment in real estate in these two towns is a good choice.

1. Mt. Samat - home of the Dambana ng Kagitingan
2. Death March markers in Mariveles and Orani
3. Filipino-Japan Friendship Tower
4. Bagac Beach
5. Morong Nuclear Power Plant
6. Anvaya Cove in Morong
7. Dunsulan, Limutan, and Kairukan Falls
8. Cayetano Arellano Monument

Capitol photo credit to panoramio.com

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