Catanduanes

Catanduanes, island, east-central Philippines, in the Philippine Sea. It is separated from southeastern Luzon (Rungus Point) by the shallow Maqueda Channel. Farming is diversified (rice, corn [maize], copra, abaca) on the hilly, rolling land. Virac, the chief port, is on the southern coast in a lowland area. The island is known for its stone churches. Area 550 square miles (1,425 square km). Pop. (2000) Catanduanes and small adjacent islands, 215,356; (2010) 246,300.