The island of Masbate lies just west of the province of Sorsogon in the Bicol Peninsula. The population centers are in the municipalities of Masbate (55,996), Aroroy (45,306), San Jacinto (34,185, NSO 1980), and Uson (24,817), with the national population placed at 602,257 (NSO 1990). The island is marked by relatively low-lying and discontinuous highland ranges with narrow strips of coastal lowlands. This has led to the dispersal of populations all over the country especially in Palawan. The subsistence is based on agriculture and fishing with mining in the south of Aroroy in the Conical Peak area.