BABUYAN ISLANDS

island group of the Philippines that is a northerly extension of the Philippine archipelago. The Babuyan Islands lie in the Luzon Strait, south of the Batan Islands and Balintang Channel. They lie 20 miles (32 km) north of Luzon across the Babuyan Channel. With a total area of 230 square miles (600 square km), they comprise 24 volcanic-coralline islands, the chief of which are Babuyan, Camiguin, Calayan, Fuga, and Dalupiri. The inhabitants are fishermen and farmers with strong cultural ties to Luzon. The lack of arable lands and the prevalence of strong winds discourage the cultivation of rice or corn (maize). Instead, root crops, particularly sweet potatoes, are widely grown, and the surplus supports a small livestock industry. Calayan is the largest town and only port with regular interisland shipping service from Aparri and Manila, but this link is frequently broken from September to February during the typhoon season. Cattle, hogs, goats, and lumber are exported. Pop. (1980) 8,969.