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| The Municipality of Basco |
| Basco is the province's most productive municipality, generating more than half of Batanes' output in goods and services. The advantages include its rich volcanic soil, well-educated labour force and it being the seat of the provincial government. Government service or public administration has always played an important role in the Basco economy. It is the town's major industry, providing employment to hundreds of people. |
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| Mount Iraya. It was known as Vasay prior to Spanish colonization, but the town was renamed after Spanish Governor-General Jose Basco y Vargas upon the permanent establishment of the church and civil government in 1783. There are two other major settlements in the municipality, namely: Chanarian and San Joaquin. Chanarian is three kilometres south of the town, while San Joaquin is the same distance away, but west-northwest in Valugan Bay (Contracosta). |
| Basco lies in the northern part of Batan Island. It covers an approximate land area of 3,500 hectares or 35 square kilometres. Over 6,000 people live in the municipality, which is bounded by the Itbayat Channel on the north, Mahatao on the south, Valugan Bay/Philippine Sea/Pacific Ocean on the east and Baluarte Bay/China Sea on the west. Basco is the provincial capital of Batanes. The town is located on the plains of Vasay between Naidi Hill and |
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| The Municipalities |
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