Jintotolo Channel

Jintotolo Channel
Jintotolo Strait
Silhouette of Jintotolo Island as seen from the Jintotolo Channel.
Country	Philippines
Regions	Bicol Region, Western Visayas
Coordinates	PH 11°45′N 123°07′E / 11.750°N 123.117°ECoordinates: PH 11°45′N 123°07′E / 11.750°N 123.117°E
Width	40 km (25 mi), N-S

The Jintotolo Channel (or Jintotolo Strait) is the body of water that connects the Sibuyan Sea with the Visayan Sea. It is located between the Philippine islands of Panay and Masbate, and is an important shipping route to and from the Central Visayas.

Jintotolo Island (2010 population of 1,454) and the 3 small islets of the Zapatos Islands (2010 population of 585) lie in the middle of the channel.^[1] These islands fall under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Balud, Masbate.

The channel is marked by a lighthouse on Jintotolo Island. The 15.5-metre-high (51 ft) lighthouse was built in 1890s and has a focal plane of 57 meters (187 ft) with 3 white flashes every 10 seconds.^[2]

The wrecks of the Japanese cruiser Kinu and destroyer Uranami lie on the bottom of the channel.

References

1. "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
2. Rowlett, Russ (2005-07-24). "Lighthouses of the Central Philippines". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 2009-06-30.