alBay

Albay is a province in the Bicol Region of the Philippines, located on the southeastern part of Luzon. It is bordered by Sorsogon to the south and Camarines Sur to the north, with the Philippine Sea to the east and the Legazpi Gulf to the west. The provincial capital is Legazpi City. The province is renowned for Mayon Volcano, one of the Philippines’ most active and well-known volcanoes, whose near-perfect cone dominates the landscape.

Geographically, Albay encompasses lowland coastal areas as well as upland interiors. The Mayon Volcano sits near the center of the province and is a focal point for tourism and education, while nearby towns such as Daraga and Camalig feature historical and cultural attractions including the Cagsawa Ruins Park, which preserves church remains buried by the 1814 eruption. The province also includes volcanic soils used for agriculture and several coastal communities along Legazpi Gulf and the Pacific coastline.

Economy centers on agriculture (rice, coconut, abaca, pili nuts), fisheries, and growing tourism. Population is around 1.37 million people; the majority language is Central Bikol, with Filipino and English widely used. The predominant religion is Roman Catholicism. Albay is served by transportation networks that include the Pan-Philippine Highway and the Bicol International Airport near Daraga and Legazpi City.