A visit in the Philippines is incomplete without seeing the scenic and beautiful Taal Volcano and the economically and geographically important Taal Lake. The volcano is one of the most active in the archipelago and the lake is the source of livelihood of many fishermen in the surrounding towns. The Volcano Island covers an area of about 23 km² and consists of 47 overlapping cones and craters.
Taal Volcano is a complex volcano located 50 kilometers or aprox ( 2hrs ) from the capital of the Philippines Manila. From Manila, you can travel by land to Tagaytay, passing through panoramic views of the countryside. Then to the Town of Talisay. To get to Taal Volcano and Taal Lake, you can take a half hour boat ride on the shores of Taal Lake. The most popular point is in Talisay. However, if you prefer less crowded areas and cheaper rates.
At one time Taal Volcano was a large volcano and is one of the largest volcanoes in the world, towering 18,000 feet up in the sky. Now, it is the world’s smallest active volcano, only about 700 meters high. Since 1572, the volcano has 33 recorded eruptions, the most devastating eruption occurred in the year 1911. The last volcanic activity happened in 1977, although the volcano has remained quiet since. It is still not safe, for signs of increased activity appeared in 1991, 1992, 1994, and most recently, in June of 2009.
When you visit Taal Volcano, make sure to bring water, hats and plenty of sun screen lotion. Wear light clothes for it can get very hot, it being located in a tropical country. It is most recommended you get a head start early in the morning. You can either take a hike or ride on horseback to go up the ridge and see the beautiful Crater Lake.
Vulcan Point
There is a crater lake on Volcano Island, which is in Lake Taal. This crater lake is the world’s largest lake on an island in a lake on an island, and it in turn contains its own small island, Vulcan Point that projects from the surface of the crater lake was the remnant of the old crater floor that is now surrounded by the 2-kilometre (1.2 mi) wide lake, now referred to as the Main Crater Lake.
Taal Lake is also home to one of the rarest sea snakes in the world – the Garman’s Sea Snake or Hydrophis semperi. This unique species is only one of two “true” sea snake species that are known to live entirely in freshwater. It is also home to the only freshwater sardine in the world – the “Tawilis”. This unique fish species is scientifically named Sardinella tawilis.
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