Mayon stands as the primary landmark and the tallest peak in Albay province and the entire Bicol Region, soaring to 2,463 meters (8,081 ft) above the waters of Albay Gulf.

Often referred to as Mount Mayon or Mayon Volcano, it is famous for its flawless cone shape, attributed to its unique symmetrical design.

Mayon is classified as a classic stratovolcano featuring a small central summit crater. It is the most active volcano in the Philippines, having erupted more than 30 times since 1616. Its most destructive eruption was in 1814, when the town of Cagsawa was buried and approximately 1,200 people were killed.

The volcano is regarded as sacred in Philippine mythology, believed to have emerged from the resting place of the lovers Magayon and Panganoron. Subsequently, it was selected as the dwelling of Gugurang, the supreme deity of the Bicolano people, who also designated Mayon as the keeper of the sacred fire of Ibalon.

The volcano is geographically divided among eight cities and municipalities: Legazpi, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao, Tabaco, Malilipot, and Santo Domingo (in a clockwise direction starting from Legazpi), which segment the cone like slices of a pie when viewed on a political map.

Mayon is the centerpiece of the Albay Biosphere Reserve, a protected landscape spanning some 250,000 hectares, whose main function is the conservation of the area’s terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.