Ijangs, or terraced hillfort settlements of the Ivatan people, can be found on hill tops and ridges in the Batanes Islands of the Philippines. Built as a defence against attacking enemies, these structures are similar to the gusuku castles found in Okinawa, Japan. The Ivatans would defend themselves by throwing stones down from their mountain perches, which left them full of stones that remain today. After the islands were claimed by the Spanish in 1783, the Ivatan were ordered to relocate to the lowlands, which marked the end of many of the ijang settlements. Nevertheless, some of these historical structures can still be seen and make for an interesting and enlightening experience.