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Geography

CALABARZON, also known as Region IV-A, is an amalgamation of the names of the 5 provinces that make up the region namely: CAvite, LAguna, BAtangas, Rizal, and QueZON. This region was created under Executive Order No. 103 dated May 17, 2002, dividing the former Southern Tagalog Region into CALABARZON and MIMAROPA and transferring the province of Aurora to Region III.

Laguna Lake - the largest inland body of water in the Philippines

Region IV-A is located east and south of Metro Manila. It is bounded on the east by the Philippine Sea and Bicol Region, on the south by Verde Island Passage, and on the west by Luzon Sea. Its topography is mostly rolling hills with small scattered plains. Parts of Sierra Madre Mountains extend to the province of Rizal and Northern Quezon. There are also mountains in the Bondoc Peninsula of the southern part of Quezon. Highest peak is 2,217-meter Mt. Banahaw in Quezon province. The eastern part of Quezon have rainfall more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. The western part of Quezon, eastern part of Laguna, and the whole province of Rizal experience relative dryness from November to April and relative wetness during the rest of the year. The rest of the region has two pronounced seasons: dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year.

People

CALABARZON is the most populous region with 11.7 million inhabitants, slightly higher than Metro Manila's 11.5 people. The population is composed mostly of Tagalogs with very few other cultural groups from other regions. Many famous Filipinos hail from this region: Jose P. Rizal from Laguna, Emilio Aguinaldo from Cavite, Apolinario Mabini, Jose Laurel, and Claro M. Recto from Batangas.

Economic Profile

The region's closeness to Metro Manila has made Region IV-A a catch basin for urban growth and development. It has many areas used for residential, commercial, and industrial activities. In fact, much of the region is sometimes included in the so-called Greater Metro Manila and is officially a part of the great urban beltway extending from Dagupan City of Pangasinan in the north downward to Lucena City of Quezon in the south.

This region contributed 12.1% to the national economy - the second highest after Metro Manila. It is home to numerous industrial zones and many of the largest industrial companies in the country have manufacturing plants in the region. Sta. Rosa City in Laguna Province is in fact called the automotive capital of the country due to the presence of the major vehicle manufacturers of the Philippines. Other products manufactured in the region are electronics and parts, processed foods, petroleum and chemical products, iron and steel, garments and other fashion accessories.

Notwithstanding the fast industrialization of the region, agriculture remains the source of livelihood for many of its people. Main products are rice, corn, banana, coconut, sugar, and high value commercial crops such as vegetables. Coffee used to be a major crop of the region especially during the later part of the Spanish period but it declined due to uncontrolled pest. Though not as important a crop as before, Coffee farming is still being done by some farmers in the region. A special variety that is native to the region called Kape Barako is gaining much popularity among coffee drinkers.

Major tourist spots in Calabarzon Region

• Hinulugang Taktak and Daranak Waterfalls in Rizal Province
• Pagsanjan Waterfall and Jose Rizal Shrine in Laguna
• Tagaytay City and Aguinaldo Shrine in Cavite
• Taal Volcano and Anilao Beach in Batangas
• Nasugbu and Matabungkay Beaches also in Batangas
• Quezon National Park and Mt. Banahaw in Quezon