June-July 2020

the interior that it shares with Oriental Mindoro. Mountain
ranges converge on the two central peaks, Mount Halcon
in the north, and Mount Baco in the south. There is also a
mountain known as bundok ng susong dalaga, the “Maiden’s
breast mountain”, that looks like a reclined woman.
The northern part of the province has relatively fewer plains,
while the southern parts have wider flatlands. Most of the
plains are cultivated fields, with few remaining untouched
forests.
Significant hilly areas can be found rolling off in Santa Cruz
in the north and in San Jose and Magsaysay in the south.
These are grassed-over rather than forested.
There are several major drainage or river systems flowing
on a generally westerly course: Mamburao River, Pagbahan,
Mompong, Biga, Lumintao, Busuanga and Caguray. Swamp
areas are restricted to the south, specially, along the river mouths.
The town of Mamburao is the provincial capital and the
set of government. San Jose,
considered
Words by BARRY DAWSON
Photographs as Credited
DESTINATION
L MINDORO
51