BATANGAS: The province of thinkers and nationalists straddles a rich and varied country stretched between the South China Sea on the west and Tayabas Bay on the east. The coast is highly irregular along the western coast but gives way to a couple of wide bays, Balayan and Batangas that face the narrow channel separating Luzon from Mindoro. Islands lie along the coast, the biggest of which are Maricaban and Verde. The interior is characteristically rolling plains and highlands except for mountain ranges that run along the common border with Cavite, and in the southeast. The beautifully enchanting Lake Bombon lies at the very heart of Batangas and within its bosom lies the restless Taal Volcano. Cavite lies to the north, while Laguna and Quezon lie northeast. The province is dry from November until April and is wet the rest of the year. Typhoons occasionally visit during the rainy months.

Batangas is the vibrant new access point for industries locating in the dynamic CALABARZON region and plays a very significant role in the industrial development of the Southern Tagalog region. The prime agricultural lands of the province provide an abundance of rice, sugar, coffee, coconut and rootcrops. The seas around Batangas are rich sources of fish. Excellent pasture land have made the province a leading dairy and cattle provider. Batangas is also endowed with large quantities of mineral deposits such as limestone, gyspsum, clay, bentonite, copper and iron ores.

The International Port in Batangas City, which is in the process of upgrading its facilities, provide an excellent alternative port that links Batangas and the Southern Tagalog region with other countries. The province is linked with Metro Manila via the Southern Luzon Access Road. A good network of roads link all the province's municipalities. Telecommunications is reliable with both land-based and cellular phone services. Power and water resources are adequate to meet industrial demands. Almost 1.5 million Filipinos reside in the province and provincial literacy rate (96.5%) is above the national figure. This provides the province a diligent and well-educated workforce for industrial pursuits.

The access provided by the Batangas International Port makes investments in the Batangas Regional Agro-Industrial Center (BRAIC) very attractive. At present, some of the country's industrial giants, such as Pilipinas Shell, JG Summit Petrochemical Corporation and General Milling Corporation, are located in the center. Investing in resource utilizing industries, such as food processing, beverage manufacture, feeds manufacture, and cement processing, are profitable ventures. Easy access to and from foreign countries, and the existence of a large labor pool also make the province a prime site for export processing activities. The province's proximity to Manila and the excellent recreational potentials, for diving, water sports, golf, eco-tourism and cultural visits make investments in developing these potentials attractive.

Land area: 3,195 sq. kms.; Major Dialects/ Languages: Tagalog and English; No. of Barangays: 1,076 No. of Cities: BATANGAS, LIPA; Municipalities/ Towns: 27 (Balayan, Calaca, Calatagan, Lemery, Lian, Nasugbu, Taal, Tuy, Bauan, Lobo, Mabini, San Luis, San Pascual, Talisay, Tanauan, Tingloy, Agoncillo, Alitagtag, Balete, Cuenca, Laurel, Malvar, M. na Kahoy, Ibaan, Padre Garcia, Rosario, San Jose, San Juan, Taysan)