The province of Albay is located between the provinces of Camarines Sur on the north and Sorsogon on the south. It is bounded on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the northeast by the Lagonoy gulf, and on the west and southwest by the Burais Pass. The islands in the north under the jurisdiction of the province are Rapu-Rapu, Batan, Cagraray and San Miguel.

Albay has a land area of 2,552.6 sq.kms. consisting of 17 towns. The mountains of the province are Mayon, Masarana and Malinoa in the northeast and Catburaun in the west. Its forests are sources of timber, rattan, pili nuts and gum elemi. There are also vast grasslands for pasturing horses, cattle, carabaos, goats and sheep.

In 1950, Luis Enriquez de Guzman led an expedition from Panay to the islands of Masbate and Ticao, and to Ibalon. In July 1573, Juan de Salcedo, with 120 soldiers, explored Ibalon and founded the town of Santiago de Libong, Jose Maria Peñafrancia, a military engineer was made “coregidor” of the province on May 14, 1834. He constructed public buildings and built roads and bridges.

During World War II, the Kimura Detachment of the Japanese Imperial Forces occupied Legazpi on Dec. 12, 1941. The region was defended only by the Philippine Constabulary unit under Major Francisco Sandico.

Albay, a progressive province with the capital city of Legazpi, has a large reservoir of steam deposits in Tiwi. On Aug. 14, 1970, Presidential Proclamation No. 739 authorized the National Power Corporation to exploit and develop the Tiwi power plant project.

DoT Region V Director Nini Ravanilla said that like the recent years, Albay has continued to direct its efforts toward the development of its industries. Agriculture, however, still accounts for the largest share in the total production and employment. Of the total 6,309 manufacturing establishments of varied sizes in the Bicol region, half is located in Albay.

Ravanilla said that when it comes to native handbags, many consider the Bicol product as a stand-out among the rest because of the quality, durability and designs. Bag addicts will find the best native bags from Daraga and Albay. In fact, Bicol was able to generate total export sales of $61 million in 2002, 70 percent of which are abaca products.

There are so many tourist attractions in the province. One is the Mayon Volcano which stands majestically at 7,947 feet from the broad base about 10 km. in radius. The crater is 2,541 meters above sea level and with a diameter of .5 km. It has a notched rim where a pool of building hot lava boils and rich coal deposits could be found plus sulfuric streams and gases deposits.

It derived its name from the word “magayon,” meaning beautiful. Its name has been regarded as the symbol not only of Albay but also the Philippines within the orient. Since 1616, Mt. Mayon was recorded to have erupted many times and the worst was on Feb. 2, 1814 which buried the settlements of Cagsawa and Budiao in the town of Daraga.

The Cagsawa Ruins was originally Kagsawa. It was derived from Kag. “who does or owner” and sawa “a python” or on its worst, it signifies “excesses,” Fr. Francisco Aragones, OFM, former curate of Kagsawa and Budyao, seemed to confirm the notable “over-indulgence” of the people during the time. In fact, he affirmed the 1814 Mayon eruption as “divine justice.”

Steep cliff hug along highway going to Joroan which keep one’s breath hanging as one traverse these road. It overalls the wide blue Pacific Ocean and a breathtaking trip over these roads bring a memorable experience for visitors and tourists. Another natural phenomena in Tiwi besides the road to Joroan is Bugsucan Falls, a tiered waterfalls set on a beauteous mountainside. Its cascading water blend perfectly with its natural springs.

Busay Falls is located in Malilipot. It is considered as one of the highest waterfalls in the country because of its seven-tiered cascading white foam. It is estimated to have a vital height of 40 feet from the top. The first catchbasin could be a nice place to bath but another catchbasin forms below where hundreds of bathers could refresh from the scorching heat of summer. It is accessible only by foot.

One can see also many caves in the province. Example of these is the Hoyop-Hoyopan cave which is a natural tunnel like structure in Camalig. Legend says that these caves were the primitive habitats of the natives in the area. It is one of the most popular attractions in Albay. It can be reached by any type of motor vehicle.

Calabidong Caves, the name really means “Caves of the Bats.” There is a grotto-like formation inside which astounds visitors. It is found in Camalig, around 30 minutes trek from Hoyop-Hoyopan cave. The Minaroso Caves in Rapu-Rapu is a natural cavern situated close to the sea. It is a haven of seabirds and swallows. Still unexplored, the cave is located in Villahermoso, a barangay in Batan Island. It is a burial cave site of ancient Bicolanos.

Balubagong Boiling Lake is a geothermal-like formation. The steam pressure is described as stronger than Tiwi Geothermal. The lake has an outlet near the seashore, just a hundred meters away from where the steaming sands and coral like rocks emit the geyser in a fountain-like formation.

Beaches are also all over the province. The clear and almost unspoiled beach of San Lorenzo Beach have lured hundreds of tourists to this place in Tabaco. Its strategic location has commanded a breathtaking view of Tabaco Bay and the green soft-looking and quiet island of San Miguel.

If one is familiar with the famous South Pacific Island, the Kalayukaii Beach Resort in Sto. Domingo is its duplicate. The sunrise is very beautiful to see on this beach. Gazebo and bancas are available for hire for visitors who would like to see the clear blue water where eye-catching corals of varied forms could be viewed even without the use of water glasses.

The Ilologan Beach is another attraction in Manito which is made up of long stretch of coral sands. In Bacacay, the Sogod Beach is the most popular one, well-known for its enclaves of black sandy beaches with towering coconut palms and lush vegetation providing cool shades. It is an excellent place for bathing and fishing.

Parian Mainit Spring is a popular swimming and picnic resort in Camalig. A thermal swimming pool and cottages are also available. It is adjacent to the main highway. In Jovellar, another formation is the 300-meter-long Naglaus Underground River. A bamboo craft is used to negotiate the tunneled river. It looks very mysterious and weird but an excellent place to form a bewildering and strange experience. Accessible by foot trail.

One of the man-made attractions is the Japanese Garden which is a hectare-size at the center of Tiwi proper. Developed by Japanese Peace Corps Volunteers and expert landscape technicians. It is unique and extraordinary because of the Japanese style of landscaping blended with local materials and native flora.

Seven Hills Resort is also famous because of its cottages, picnic area, parks, swimming pools and a restaurant. Located Polangui amidst an airy wide citrus plantation which punctuates its attraction enormously.

For the religious one, there is the Daraga Catholic Church built in 1773 by Franciscan missionaries, that is, three years before the declaration of American Independence from the British colonizers. This is highly prized by art enthusiast because of its rich baroque architecture.

Standing on a massive hilltop, it dominates among other structures of the town of Daraga. At closer look, it contains archaeological relics such as “santos” and religious seals carved articulately on volcanic rocks. These relics are considered priceless and collector’s items.