1979 Press Photo Rice terraces in 400 square miles of Banaue, Philippines

Residents of Banaue, a town in The Philippines located 200 miles north of Manila, maintain a 3,000 year old tradition. started by the Ifuagos, the hilly countryside holds more than 400 square miles of terraced land used to grow rice. The rice terraces may b the longest lived agricultural project in history. Over the centuries the building has continued with today's generation of farmers carrying on the endless work. If the terraces were now placed end to end, they would stretch more than halfway around the Earth. Banaue, population 23,000 sits at 4,000 feet above sea level and has an average temperature of 60 to 70 degrees. The Ifuagos start their rice planting in February. Only the women are allowed to plant and harvest, while the men work on the stone walls, paddles and irrigation. The season ends with the ancient tradition festival. Philippine Islands, agriculture

Photo measures 8 x 10 inches. Photo is dated 04-08-1979.

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