Botolan

Botolan is a municipality in the province of Zambales in the Philippines. The town was founded by Spanish Governor-General Juan de Salcedo in 1572. According to the census of May 1, 2010, it has a population of 54,434 people and a 1st class Income classification (2007).

Botolan has the largest land area of the municipalities in Zambales. Located just south of the provincial capital of Iba, Botolan is known for its larger Aeta population, wide gray sand beaches, and as the location of Mount Pinatubo.

Barangays

Botolan is politically subdivided into 31 barangays.

Demographics

Tourism

The barangay of Binoclutan is the "Beach Capital" of Botolan, featuring several first class resorts. The area is a habitat of sea turtles, as is all of the Zambales coastline. Olive Ridley, Green and Hawksbill turtles nest along the beaches of Botolan every year between September and January. A turtle hatchery located is located in Binoklutan. The area also has many other attractions, beach resorts, waterfalls, hiking paths, views of the lahar fields left by the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, and views of Mount Pinatubo itself.