CULTURAL GROUPS
The inhabitants are ethno-linguistic Bicolanos and some Visayans such as the Warays and Hiligaynons who have settled in the southwestern provinces.

CLIMATE
The region experiences several typhoons in a year and therefore has no pronounced wet and dry season.

LAND USE
More than 50% of the region’s land are devoted to agriculture; 30% are forestland and the rest are used for residential, commercial and industrial purposes. 1,222,060 hectares of the total land area have been classified as alienable and disposable.

NATURAL RESOURCES
There are significant deposits of gold, silver, lead, zinc, iron, nickel, chromite, copper and manganese. The region has large tracts of arable and grazing lands and extensive fishing grounds.

INDUSTRIES
Bicol’s basic products are coconut, palay, cassava, corn, abaca and coconut. Farming, forestry products, mining, rice and corn milling and fishing are its major sources of income. Small-scale manufacturing industries include food preservation, furniture making, woodcraft, loom weaving, fiber craft, shell craft, pottery, rattan craft and pili confectionery.

URBAN CENTERS
The major urban centers in the Bicol region are the cities of Legaspi, Naga and Iriga.

FACILITIES
Bicolandia is accessible by land transport, rail, air and water transportation. It has national ports, several municipal ports and national airports. Electricity and water supply are fairly adequate except in the island provinces where these facilities are concentrated in the capital and the more progressive towns. Educational opportunities are sufficient, since the region has several institutions of learning such as the oldest girl’s school in Naga City, Colegio de Sta. Isabel.