Pinatubo Volcano - is an active volcano on the island of Luzon, 87 km from Manila. The last time the volcano erupted in 1991, although this was considered extinct, as "asleep" more than 600 years. Before the eruption of its height is 1745 meters, and now - 1486 meters.

In the 16th century, when Spanish conquistadors Luzon were covered with a thick forest of Mount Pinatubo was a haven for hiding the Aeta tribe of natives.

In April 1991, scientists noticed the first signs of an approaching eruption of Mount Pinatubo - after aftershocks over the summit of the volcano appeared a column of steam. Immediately it was evacuated residents of all towns and villages located within a radius of 20 km. The first explosion occurred on June 12 rose to a height of 19 km black ash cloud. The next explosion, more powerful, occurred 14 hours later. The biggest eruption happened on June 15 - the wave height of 34 km, and the ashes thrown out of the sky covered land area of ​​125 thousand sq.km! The territory of this area for a few hours plunged into darkness. Later weaker eruptions occurred until the 17th of June. As a result, killing about 900 people, they destroyed the US Clark Air Force Base and Naval Base the United States. The eruption was recognized as one of the most powerful in the 20th century - it got 6 on the Richter scale.

Interesting fact: The former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay, a native of the province of Zambales, called his private jet "Pinatubo". In 1957, the plane crashed, which killed 25 people, including the president Magsaysay.

Over the past 20 years in the area of ​​Mount Pinatubo tremors regularly occur, because of which construction is impossible. Scientists believe that the volcano still shows its donors, and the eruption could be much stronger than in 1991. Today, however, Pinatubo volcano is one of the most popular sites in the Philippines mountain tourism. It organizes many tours in which you can go on a raft of Crater Lake and rafting.

In the vicinity of the volcano located Aeta village representing ethnographic interest. And in the town of Capas towards Pinatubo you can visit the National Monument, dedicated to the infamous death march. There was a camp in which the Japanese during the Second World War, contained thousands of American and Filipino prisoners soldiers captured after the Battle of Bataan. In this camp, died in 2200 of US and Filipino soldiers 27 thousand. Memorial consists of a park of 54 hectares, part of which is planted with trees in the number of victims. In 2003, the park was erected an obelisk in height of 70 meters, surrounded by a black marble wall with the names of the buried soldiers.