Regions of the Philippines

Currently, the Philippines is divided into 81 provinces, with certain independent cities attached to them. These provinces, in turn, consist of municipalities. To facilitate administration, all provinces are grouped into 17 regions, termed as states in the Philippines.

Geographically, the names of the Philippines' regions are organized into three island groups. The central region encompasses major islands such as Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Negros, Palawan, Panay, and Samar. The southern region, known as Mindanao, derives its name from the largest island within the area—Mindanao Island—along with the inclusion of Basilan and Siargao islands.

The northern region of the Philippines is known as Luzon, named after the largest island in the archipelago, which also houses the nation's capital. This region encompasses islands such as Mindoro, Palawan, the Bubayan archipelago, as well as Busuanga, Coron, and Sibuyan. The cities within the regions of the Philippines serve as their administrative centers.

The northern region is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. The mountainous terrain of the island contributes to the presence of both extinct and still active volcanoes.