Welcome to Batanes Province!
Batanes is known as the Home of the Winds," is the smallest and northernmost province of the Philippines. It comprises 10 main islands, 3 of which are inhabited, with Basco as the capital. The island Y'ami, lies just 100 kilometers south of Taiwan which makes it more closer to Taiwan than it is to mainland Luzon. The province is home to the Ivatans who are nationally acclaimed as the "True Insulares".The Ivatans are of Malay stock, tracing their roots to early immigrants from Formosa, Taiwan as well as Spaniards who came to the island in the 16th century. Being an insular people, the Ivatans have kept the purity of their culture through time.
Aside from the famous Ivatans, Batanes is known for dried fish which is the local staple of the province. Handicrafts like native hats and fans are among the more popular export-quality handicraft products of the province, and garlic from batanes is known for its superior quality. Sugarcane or palek are sold widely in the islands. Furthermore, because of its pristine environment, the beautiful seascapes and landscapes of the province have been declared as Protected Areas.