Balintang Islands are a small group of rocky islands in the middle of Balintang Channel, in Luzon Strait, northern Philippines. The islands are almost equidistant to both Babuyan Island, Cagayan, which lies about 29 miles (47 km) to the southwest, and Sabtang Island, Batanes, located 28 miles (45 km) to the northwest.[note 1] The group is composed of seven small, sharp-peaked islets and rocks visible about 24 miles (39 km) in clear weather.[2][3][4] Taiwan will be also directly to the north of Luzon Island in the Philippines via Luzon Strait to Bashi Channel.
.svg)  Balintang Islands Location within the Philippines | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 19°57′35″N 122°8′36″E / 19.95972°N 122.14333°E |
| Adjacent to | Balintang Channel (South China Sea) |
| Total islands | 7 |
| Major islands | Balintang Island |
| Area | 0.35 sq mi (0.91 km2) |
| Highest elevation | 360 ft (110 m)[1] |
| Administration | |
| Region | Cagayan Valley |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
| Additional information | |
 | |
Islands
editThe westernmost island, Balintang Island, is the largest with about 3⁄4 mile (1.2 km) in length in a north and south direction. It is much larger than the others with three peaks, the tallest of which is about 360 feet (110 m);[1] a hole is seen through it from southwestward. Three of the other islets lies east, about 1 mile (1.6 km) off its northern point. The other three, about 75 feet (23 m) high, lies about 1⁄2 mile (0.80 km) off its southeast side. In bad weather, the sea breaks heavily against them. For mariners, they are steep-to and may be passed on either side at a distance of 2 to 3 miles (3.2 to 4.8 km).[2]
See also
editNotes and references
edit- Notes
- ^ Websites for both Cagayan and Batanes provinces do not indicate who has jurisdiction of these islands. Distances were measured using Google Earth.
- References
- ^ a b "Balintang Island (terrain map)". Google Map. Retrieved on 2013-04-10.
- ^ a b U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (1919). "United States Coast Pilot, Philippine Islands, Vol. 1". Government Printing Office, Washington.
- ^ US Army Corps of Engineers (1952). "Calayan Island (topographic map)". University of Texas in Austin Library. Retrieved on 2013-04-10.
- ^ "Balintang Island". Google Map. Retrieved on 2013-04-10.
