
Lying east of Bicol mainland, Catanduanes is an island paradise in the pacific, covering a total land area of 1,511.5 sq km. Your visit to this island is more than just wxploring its unspoiled beaches or enjoying surfing at Puraran Beach located on the northside. Catanduanes offers much more. It is rich in history, belnding quality with the peaceful jutting mountains all over the island. Adventurers hike the twisting trails of Gigmoto and San Andres and enjoy the cool refreshing waterfalls.
The religious visit to the ancient church of Bato and hike to the stone chapel a kilometer away where the first mass was believed to have been celebrated byt the Spanish conquerors. Island life is not quite as it seems. The capital town of Virac is irresistible for an oceanfront entertainment and arousing videoke bars. A hotel offers a breathtaking view of the entire island as its penthouse restaurant. Resorts abound to accomodate leisure-sseking travelers, with a chain of picnic sheds and cottages over a well-manicured, surrounded with lush greeneries.
The province comprises Catanduanes Island (also called Virac Island), the Panay Island, Lete Island, Palumbanes group of islands (Porongpong, Tignob and Calabagio) and a few other minor surrounding islets and rocks.
Catanduanes was a former sub-province of Ambos Camarines in the early 1900s and later of Albay. It gained provincial autonomy when Congressman Francisco Perfecto filled House Bill No. 301 which separated the province from Albay. It was approved on September 26, 1945 and subsequently signed into law by President Sergio Osmeña on October 24, 1945. Remigio Socito, the last Lieutenant Governor, was appointed as the first Provincial Governor. When elections were held in 1947, Alfonso V. Usero became the first elected Governor.