PROFILE OF REGION 5
Geographically, Bicol Region is located in the southernmost tip of Luzon, which lies at 123 to 126 degrees longitude and 12 to 14 degrees latitude or generally at the mid-section of the country. It has a total land area of 17,362 square kilometers representing 5.67% share of the Philippines in terms of land area.
The region is the gateway of Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao and is within the international seas, hence, the gateway to the Pacific. Located in the heart of the industrialized countries, the place would serve as a jumping board for market and business in the Pacific Rim, Europe, and the United States.
Bicol is accessible by land from Manila and the rest of Luzon thru the Maharlika and Quirino Highways. From the Visayas and Mindanao islands, it can be reached via the Matnog ferry terminal. Manila is about 10 hours away from Legaspi City. It is serviced by major bus lines traversing the Manila-Bicol route.
Bicol Region is composed of four contiguous provinces: Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Sorsogon; two island provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate; and seven cities namely, Legazpi, Naga, Iriga, Tabaco, Ligao, Sorsogon, and Masbate.