Albay Province is where Mayon at 8075 ft is located, one of the highest peaks in the Philippines. It is extolled as "the most nearly perfect conical volcano". This may be rather an exaggeration, but it is certainly a beautiful mountain. However the behaviour of this elegant gaint can sometimes be quite horrible.
Towering right on the edge of the Philippines valley, at a point where, deep below ground, the Eurasian and Philippines tectonic plates grind against each other, the volcano is under constant pressure from the magma pushing up beneath it. Mayon is one of the most active volcanoes in the country and also one of the most destructive, because of the density of the surrounding population. It has erupted several times with devastating consequences. When it is at peace, the mountain is a fascinating place for climbing, although the ascent takes at least two days and is by no means easy. Legapsi City, named after the governor general of the Philippines, Miquel Lopez de Legapsi is the provincial capital and is at the foot of Mayon is worth visiting, especially for the delightful country surrounding it