Itbayat, officially the Municipality of Itbayat,, is a of the Philippines| in the province of, Philippines. According to the, it has a population of people. Itbayat is the country's northernmost municipality, located from the southernmost tip of Taiwan. In addition to the main island of Itbayat which is the largest in Batanes, the municipality includes the rest of the province's northern islands, all small and mostly uninhabited. These islands are, from south to north: Di'nem Island, Siayan, Misanga, Ah'li, and Mavulis Island, the northernmost island of the Philippine archipelago.
History
While the church and civil government were already established in Batan Island in 1783, it was only in 1855 that civil authority was officially established and the mission canonically founded in Itbayat. A mere settlement during the Spanish colonial period, it became a municipal district when the Americans organized the province in 1909. However, in 1935, it became a municipality. On September 14, 2016, Typhoon Meranti made landfall on Itbayat while at peak intensity, as a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon, with the center of the eye passing directly over the island. During landfall, the storm's powerful winds caused extensive damage and knocked out the island's communications systems.
Geography
Itbayat is located at. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the has a land area of constituting of the total area of Batanes.
Barangays
Itbayat is politically subdivided into 5 barangays.
Siayan Island: the nearest island to the north of Itbayat. It has beaches accessible by a one-hour ride by motorboat from Itbayat.
Di'nem Island: this volcanic island located east of Itbayat. It features boulder beaches with towering cliffs used for mountain climbing.
Rapang Cliff: A natural park with a ringing mushroom-like rock. It is believed to have been used by the ancient settlers to call a meeting.
Mount Riposed: One of the two major elevations that have been the foundation of Itbayat Island. Situated in the south-eastern part of Itbayat has an elevation of that offers views of the island.
Mount Karaboboan : The other extinct volcano of Itbayat Island is in the island's northern half. Near the mountain is a settlement of the early settlers of Itbayat near Barangay Santa Rosa.
Torongan Cave: The most ancient dwelling place has a burial groundon top. It is believed to be the first landing place of the Austronesians from Taiwan around 2000 BC.
Nahili Votox: With its own Ijang and boat-shaped burial grounds, it is also an ancient settlement where many broken clay pots have been found. Its Ijang has views of Dinem and Itbayat Island's eastern coast.
Itbayat Caves: These caves feature stalagmites and stalactites, and have been given the names Northern Sarokan, Eastern Sarokan, Do'tboran Cave, and Pevangan Cave.
Agosan Rock: rock formation north of Itbayat which is a breeding site for endangered birds.
Vernacular houses: A typical vernacular house is composed of three structures:
Port Mauyen: An alternative port south of Itbayat with a 14-turn zigzag road. It is south of the town.
Groto: 155 steps up
Transportation
Reaching Itbayat by a direct route from Manila is by plane via Jorge Abad Airport. There is a commercial carrier that provides flights to Itbayat from Basco, the capital of Batanes:
