Marinduque

Marinduque is an island province in the Philippines, part of the Mimaropa region (Region IV-B) of Luzon. It comprises the main island of Marinduque and several smaller islets, with the provincial capital at Boac.

Marinduque covers about 959 square kilometers and has a population of roughly 235,000 people. The terrain is largely hilly, with Mount Malindig as its highest peak. The province sits in the central portion of the Philippine archipelago and is known for its scenic coastlines and rural landscapes.

Historically, Marinduque was inhabited by Tagalog-speaking communities prior to Spanish colonization. During the colonial era, it developed a distinct culture and is best known for the Moriones Festival, a Holy Week rite featuring masked Roman soldiers. The province preserves several colonial churches and other historical sites, including the Boac Cathedral.

Economically, Marinduque relies on agriculture and fishing, with coconuts and palay among its principal products. Tourism has grown to highlight natural scenery and cultural events, especially the Moriones Festival, which draws visitors from across the country.

The population is predominantly Roman Catholic, and the local language variety, Marinduqueño, is a dialect of Tagalog spoken alongside Filipino and English.

Administratively, the province is divided into six municipalities: Boac (the capital), Mogpog, Gasan, Santa Cruz, Torrijos, and Buenavista. Local governance is carried out by a provincial government based in Boac.