Cities:   Cavite City, Trece Martires City,  Tagaytay City, Lucena City, Batangas City, Lipa City, Tanauan City, Calamba City, San Pablo City,     Puerto Princesa

TOPOGRAPHY

The region has one of the most varied land forms in the country.  The topographical forms consist of flat coastal areas, upland interior areas of slightly moderate rolling or undulating plains and hills and mountains.

CLIMATE

The basis of the analysis of the region’s climate was based on the data gathered from the thirteen (13) PAGASA climatological stations.  Because of its geographical location, the region experiences four (4) types of climate.

These types of climate are:

TYPE I:characterized by a distinct dry season from November to April and wet season during the rest of the year.  This type of climate covers the whole provinces of Cavite and Batangas, western parts of Laguna, Rizal and Mindoro Island, and the west coast of Palawan including the Calamianes Group of Islands and Cuyo.

TYPE II:characterized by a very pronounced maximum rainy period from November to January, with no distinct dry season.  The area covered by this type of climate are the easternmost part of Aurora and Quezon provinces including the Polillo group of  islands.  The mean annual rainfall received by these areas exceeds 3500 millimeters.

TYPE III:characterized by a relatively dry season from January to April and wet during the rest of the year.  The areas covered by this type of climate are eastern coast of Palawan, the provinces of Marinduque and Romblon, eastern parts of Mindoro Islands, Bondoc Peninsula and the easternmost part of Batangas, Laguna and Rizal.

TYPE IV:characterized by an even distribution of rainfall throughout the year, covering the areas of Aurora, central part of Quezon, including the island of Alabat.

POPULATION

The region’s population grew fast at an annual average growth rate of 3.52 percent from 1987 to 1991 which is far above the targetted 2.64 percent annual growth rate.  In absolute terms, the region’s population of 7.5 million in 1987 increased to about 8.3 million in 1990.In 1995, the region’s population rose to 9.9 million.

Population Density:1990- 176.1 persons per square kms.

One of its cities, Puerto Princesa in Palawan, is the densest city in the entire country with 61.5 persons per square kms.

Population - 5,918(1995)

Labor Force - 65.3(1995)

Employment Rate - 91.0(1995)

Unemployment Rate - 9.0(1995)

SETTLEMENT PATTERNS

While the region has been classified as predominantly rural up to 1985, the level or urbanization has been rising.  The 1990 census gave a different account of the region’s population where the urban population accounted for 59.2% of the total regional population of 8.263 million.  Rizal has the highest urban population distribution at 98 percent.  Following behind are the provinces of Cavite and Laguna at 76 percent, respectively.  Among the island provinces, Oriental Mindoro has the highest percentage at 33.5 percent followed by Occidental Mindoro at 33 percent and Palawan at 31 percent.

The biggest increase in urban population is posted in the province of Rizal which increased by 45 percent during the period 1970-1990.  Laguna increased its urban population by 24 percent from 1970 to 1990 while Cavite increased by 26 percent for the same period.  For the island provinces, increase in urban population is led by Marinduque with 17 percent change, Oriental Mindoro with 15.7 percent and Palawan with 12 percent change over the period 1970-1990. 

The proximity of the Region IV to the country’s primate metropolitan center which is Metro Manila proved to have greatly influenced the region’s urban growth and settlements development.  Specifically, Region IV particularly the CALABARZON subregion has become the catch basin for the overspill urbanization of Metro Manila resulting to the physical expansion of areas utilized for residential, industrial and commercial activities

Sectoral shares

Among the sectors, the industry Sector registered the highest net increase of 8.5 percent during the period 1987-1990.  In 1990, it continued to be the biggest contributor to the GRDP with 39.5 percent, followed by the Services Sector with 31.4 percent and the Agriculture Sector with 29.1 percent.

Apparently, the region gradually ceased to be specialized in agriculture compared to other regions of the country, although many of its provinces are still basically agriculture until today.

Per capita GRDP for 1991 based at 1985 constant prices was estimated at P12,043 showing an annual growth rate of 0.51 percent from 1987 level of P11,801.  This is way below the estimated target of 3.62 percent set during the last plan period.

Labor Force

Labor Force and Employment estimated at 2.9 million and 2.75 million, respectively in 1987 increased to 3.2 and 2.9 million in 1990.  In 1991, the Employment Rate in the region was high at 93.9 percent surpassing the national figure of 89.4 percent.

Major Agricultural Products: Palay, Corn, Banana, Pineapple, Coffee

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