The Republic of the Philippines (Pilipinas in Filipino) includes more than 7600 islands stretching over 1750 km (1100 mi) of the western Pacific and separating the Philippine Sea on the east from the South China Sea on the west. The largest islands are Luzon at the northern end of the country and Mindanao at the southern end. As of 2020 the population of the country was about 109 million. The archipelago was a Spanish colony until the Spanish-American War of 1898, which brought the islands under U.S. administration. Japan occupied the islands during World War II (1942-45) and the country became independent shortly thereafter (1946). The country is divided into 17 regions and subdivided into 81 provinces. The Province of Cebu is part of the Central Visayas Region. Cebu is a long but narrow island, 225 km (140 mi) from north to south but only 45 km (28 mi) wide at its widest point. With a population of more than 3 million, Cebu is the most densely populated island of the central Philippines. On the west the Tañon Strait separates Cebu from Negros; on the east the Camotes Sea separates northern Cebu from Leyte and the Cebu (or Bohol) Strait separates southern Cebu from Bohol. Filipino and English are official languages in the Philippines. In Filipino a lighthouses is called a parola; an island is an isla or pulo. Many English maritime terms have been adopted into Filipino, including cape, bay, and port, and the names of historic lighthouses are often retained in their Spanish forms. Lighthouses in the Philippines are maintained by the Marine Safety Services Command of the Philippine Coast Guard. Notices to Mariners are posted by the National Mapping and Resource Information Agency (NAMRIA). Many Philippine lighthouses are not well known so better information and photos are always needed. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. PCG numbers are the Philippines Light List numbers, where known. Admiralty numbers are from volume F of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 112.
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Information available on lost lighthouses:
Notable faux lighthouses:
Adjoining pages: Northeast: Leyte and Biliran | Southeast: Bohol | West: Negros and Siquijor
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Posted July 24, 2005. Checked and revised December 5, 2024. Lighthouses: 33. Site copyright 2024 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.