- Leyte
Infobox Philippine province
name = Leyte
sealfile = Ph_seal_leyte.pngEastern Visayas (Region VIII)
capital =Tacloban City
founded = 1543 andMarch 10 ,1917
pop2000 = 1,592,336
pop2000rank = 14th largest
popden2000 = 279
popden2000rank = 24th highest
areakm2 = 5,712.8
arearank = 12th largest
hucities = 0
componentcities = 3
municipalities = 41
barangays = 1,641
districts = 5
languages = Cebuano, Waray-Waray
governor = Carlos Jericho Petilla (Lakas-CMD )
locatormapfile = Ph_locator_map_leyte.pngLeyte is a province of the
Philippines located in theEastern Visayas region. Its capital isTacloban City and occupies the northern three-quarters of the island of Leyte. Leyte is located west ofSamar province , north ofSouthern Leyte and south ofBiliran . To the west of Leyte across theCamotes Sea is the province of Cebu.History
The explorer
Ruy López de Villalobos , first came to the island in 1543 and named it Las Islas Felipinas.The
Battle of Leyte Gulf took place in the seas surrounding this island from23 October to26 October 1944 . It was the largest naval battle in modern history, when at least 212 Allied ships with the Filipino pilots clashed with the remnants of the Imperial Japanese Navy, some 60 ships, including the super battleships "Yamato" and Musashi.The
Battle of Leyte occurred on20 October ,1944 . A successful Allied invasion of the island was the crucial element to the eventual Filipino and American victory in the Philippines.People and culture
The people of Leyte are divided into two main groups, primarily by language. In the west and south are the Cebuanos, while in the north and east are the Waray-waray.
The Cebuanos have ties with Cebu, the most populous province in the Visayas; the Warays are more tied to Leyte and Samar.
Economy
The economy of Leyte depends on agriculture. Rice is farmed in the lower flatter areas specifically those around Tacloban, while coconut farming, for coconut oil is the main cash crop of the more mountainous areas. Fishing is also a major source of livelihood among residents.
Although economically backward, the province is the site of the largest geothermal plant in Asia, making it one of the resource-rich provinces of the Philippines.
Geography
Political
Leyte is subdivided into 40 municipalities and 3 cities.
Ormoc City is an independent component city of Leyte. The city governs itself independent of the province and the residents do not vote for elective provincial officials, as stated in the city's charter.
Cities
*
Ormoc City
*Tacloban City
*Baybay CityMunicipalities
Official Provincial Seal
"The Official Seal of the Province of Leyte."
The upper portion is a perspective of the national Freedom Park commemorating the landing of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and the American Liberation Forces in Leyte during World War II. The white cross represents the 2nd phase of Leyte's development when Magellan stopped here on his way to Cebu. The alphabet on the cross argent is the ancient visayan paleographic syllabary of the letter L which stands for Leyte. The stars around the inner circle symbolize the forty one (41) towns of Leyte and the everlasting flame symbolizes the soldiers who died during World War II.
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ee also
*
Manuel Artigas
*Juan Ponce Sumuroy External links
* [http://www.leyte.org.ph/index.html Official Website of Leyte Province]
* [http://www.leytenews.com News source on Leyte]
* [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20080121-113685/Poor-town-has-modern-library Inquirer.net, Poor town has modern library]
* [http://luap777.wordpress.com/category/photos/philippines/leyte/ Leyte Photo Gallery]
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