Balete is basically an agricultural municipality. Of the 2,053 hectares land area, 1,980 hectares is devoted to agriculture. Other major crops are citrus, cassava, mango, banana, black pepper, camote, vegetables and other kinds of fruit bearing trees that are intercropped with coconuts.
The town lies northwest of Lipa City . It was bounded on the south by the Municipality of Mataas na Kahoy, on the west by the Taal Lake , on the North by the Municipality of Tanauan and on the East by the Municipality of Malvar . The town is approximately 93 kilometers from Manila and 44 kilometers from Batangas City .
The highest portion of the town is about 100-200 feet above sea level. It has slope about 40%-60%. A big portion of taal lake is situates within its jurisdiction. It has three tributary namely: Palsara river, Magapi river and Sampalocan River.
Balete was a former barrio of the City of Lipa . Based on the stories handed by old folks, Balete trees were very abundant in this place during the early days when there were still settlers therein. As time goes by, the place came to be known as Balete.
The first residents of Balete were Jose Magapi & his family. After the eruption of Taal Volcano in 1911, the well-known real state property owner of Looc, Balete were brothers Venancio & Ricardo Macasaet. Also famous honored and obeyed during that time was Pablo Maralit who resided in Barrio Makina.
On June 21, 1969 the congress enacted Republic Act No. 5659 creating Balete into a municipality with 13 barangays comprising namely: alangilan, Calawit, Looc, San Sebastian , Solis, Makina, Sala, Sampalocan, Magapi, Malabanan, Paligawan, Palsara & Poblacion.
The 2003 population of Balete is 17,168 or 3,256 household. With an annual growth rate of 4.25%. The average household size is 5.05. the most populated barangays are Brgys. Malabanan, Poblacion and Magapi. While the least populated are Brgy. Alangilan, Solis and San Sebastian .
Balete is a natural tourism site. It is endowed with a vast area of natural beauty and recreational value. Boat cruises along taal lake present to tourist a scenic and breath-taking view of mountain hills and azure water, whose calmness is totally inviting. An hour boat ride can bring tourists to the volcano island where they start their trek to the famous taal volcano and savor nature in all its undaunted grandeur.
Another attraction is the Balete beach with its fresh water is certainly recommendable for tourism development. Boating, swimming and fishing will surely provide tourists enjoyable times in most areas of the beach.
Developed beach resorts which offer the solemnity for retreats and prayer and this can be found in Brgy. Malabanan. While Marian Orchard offers the solemnity for retreats and prayer also found in brgy. Malabanan.
