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Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Tacloban City and occupies the northern three-quarters of the island of Leyte. Leyte is located west of Samar, north of Southern Leyte and south of Biliran. To the west of Leyte across the Camotes 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 from 23 October to 26 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 on 20 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.

Political

Leyte is subdivided into 41 municipalities. Ormoc City is an independent component city, while the capital Tacloban was declared a highly-urbanized city in 2008. Both cities govern themselves independently of the province and their residents do not vote for elective provincial officials. Baybay attained cityhood in 2007 but reverted to its municipal status when the Supreme Court declared its city charter unconstitutional in 2008.

Highly-urbanized city:

Tacloban City

Independent city:

Ormoc City

Municipalities:
Abuyog
Alangalang
Albuera
Babatngon
Barugo
Bato
Baybay
Burauen
Calubian
Capoocan
Carigara
Dagami
Dulag
Hilongos
Hindang
Inopacan
Isabel
Jaro
Javier (Bugho)
Julita
Kananga
La Paz
Leyte
MacArthur
Mahaplag
Matag-ob
Matalom
Mayorga
Merida
Palo
Palompon
Pastrana
San Isidro
San Miguel
Santa Fe
Tabango
Tabontabon
Tanauan
Tolosa
Tunga
Villaba