REGION VIII (EASTERN VISAYAS) > Leyte

BRIEF DESCRIPTION Leyte is among the country’s most historic provinces, proud of its rich and significant past. It was the site not only of a major uprising against the Spaniards but also of the famous landing of US forces during World War II, marking its place in history as the point of entry for the American forces of liberation.

This historical consciousness is reflected on Leyte’s provincial seal. The stars symbolize the 49 towns of the province. The alphabet on the cross indicates its second phase of development, when Magellan passed through the province en route to Cebu. And the upper portion commemorates the landing of General Douglas MacArthur, through a perspective of the National Freedom Park.

Leyte is traversed by many low mountain ranges just like the Samar and Visayan islands. From the northwestern section to the southeastern extremities extends a very rugged, almost impassable ridge. There are also many extinct volcanoes, the most important of which is Mahagnao.

Its capital city, Tacloban, is the most important seaport on the eastern coast while Ormoc City is the primary outlet on the western coast.  GEOGRAPHY Comprising a total land area of 5,712.8 sq. km., Leyte is bounded on the north by Carigara Bay, on the east by the San Juanico Strait and Leyte Gulf, on the west by the Visayan Sea and Ormoc Sea, and on the south by Southern Leyte.

The terrain of the province is relatively flat to gently rolling and becoming mountainous and rough towards the center where a mountain range begins. spacer  spacerPolitical Subdivision The province is composed of 49 towns and two cities, namely, Tacloban, the capital city, and Ormoc.  CLIMATE Heavy rains occur between November and February while March to April and August to September are the driest months.  POPULATION As of 1995 census, the provincial population is 1,511,251.  LANGUAGE / DIALECT Waray-waray and Cebuano are the major dialects spoken.

REGION VIII (EASTERN VISAYAS) > Southern Leyte

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Filipinos stake a large claim on hospitality, just sort of making it a national treasure, and the Leyteños from the small province of Southern Leyte are no different. There is a warmth that begins with the lilt and caress of welcoming voices. Most of the locals, you see, speak Cebuano, a dialect that seems naturally nurturing.

Even the land is naturally welcoming, as evidenced by the lights that beckon from homes that hug the coast and the waving fronds of coconut palms.

Southern Leyte may be reached by land via the Pan Philippine Highway or, as most prefer, by sea. Either way, one finds oneself in Maasin, the provincial capital. Maasin is hardly your idea of a bustling town; it has maintained a pace that is welcome after the hurly-burly of city life. It is also blessedly situated between sea and forest. The former provides virtually untouched beaches waiting to be discovered, and the latter, virgin growth still unexplored.  GEOGRAPHY Southern Leyte is bounded on the north by the province of Leyte, on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the west by the Camotes Sea, and on the south by Sogod Bay. Its total land area is 1,734.8 sq. kilometers.

The province is characterized by relatively flat lands along the coastal areas where population centers lay, but rugged and mountainous towards the interior. It has numerous small rivers in addition to at least 11 major rivers. spacer  spacerPolitical Subdivision The province consists of 19 towns. Capital is Maasin.  CLIMATE Generally, the province has no dry season with rainfall more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. It has a pronounced maximum rainfall occurring from July to December.  POPULATION As of the 1995 census, the provincial population was 3,366,917.  LANGUAGE / DIALECT Cebuano is the major dialect spoken.

Tourist Spots in Leyte - Philippines

The San Juanico Bridge

One of the world-class, interesting, and beautiful destinations in the southern region of the Philippines, San Juanico Bridge takes a position in the top 5 tourist spots in Leyte Philippines. Because of the attractiveness of the bridge, the provincial government annually allot budget for the maintenance of San Juanico Bridge. Because of this, travelers and tourists who will pass through the bridge can have a closer view on various marine species present in San Juanico Strait. Additionally, people can always admire the sight of relaxing waters under the alluring San Juanico Bridge.

The General Douglas MacArthur Landing Memoria

Another famous and first-rate tourist destination in Leyte that many travelers like to see is General Douglas MacArthur Landing Memorial. Situated at Red Beach in Palo, the memorial features statues depicting the historical and victorious return of the American Liberation Forces led by U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, which happened in 1944. People can easily see the statues in the province for these figures have heights higher than 10 feet. Moreover, to commemorate this event, locale people re-enact the landing of the Allied Forces at the beach.

The Santo Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum

One of the most famous and well-maintained museums in Leyte, Santo Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum plays home to important artifacts and relics that signify the culture, heritage, and history of the province. Within the premises of this tourist spot, people can find several structures and images that depict myths in Leyte, which include Malakas and Maganda. Besides this, many travelers from the other parts of the country also go to the museum to see some of the masterpieces of well-known Filipino painter Fernando Amorsolo.

Our Lady of Assumption Church

Our Lady of Assumption Church is visited by thousands of devotees from the province every year. Aside from the historical value of this institution, many people like to see the attractive architecture and structure of the church building. With the high-quality materials that were used in the construction of this early church and several images of saints and martyrs inside the building, many tourists were captivated to this place.

Sun ok Fish Sanctuary

For those who have interest in visiting manmade attractions in the beautiful and historical province of Leyte, they can always take a look at the different marine species in Sun ok Fish Sanctuary. Inside this amusing and well-maintained fish haven, people can find soft and hard coral reefs and various types of fishes. Another attraction in this sanctuary is its strategic location. Because Sun ok Fish Sanctuary is situated near a rocky hill, after touring the fish sanctuary, tourists can try exciting and enjoyable outdoor activities like rock climbing.

Country Capital Profile Maps

Argentina Buenos Aires Argentina City and City and Country

Maps

Bolivia La Paz - seat of government

Sucre - legal capital and seat of judiciary

Bolivia City and Country Maps

Brazil Brasilia Brazil City and Country Maps

Chile Santiago Chile City and Country Maps

Colombia Bogotá Colombia City and Country Maps

Ecuador Quito Ecuador City and Country Maps

Falkland Islands /

Islas Malvinas

Stanley Falkland Islands

City and Country Maps

French Guiana

Cayenne French Guiana

City and Country Maps

Guyana Georgetown Guyana City and Country Maps

Paraguay Asunción Paraguay City and Country Maps

Peru Lima Peru City and Country Maps

Suriname Paramaribo Suriname City and Country Maps

Uruguay Montevideo Uruguay City and Country Maps

Venezuela Caracas Venezuela City and Country Maps

Capital cities and states of Africa

Capital City Country

Abuja NigeriaAccra GhanaAddis Ababa (Addis Abeba) EthiopiaAlgiers (Alger, El Djazâir, Al Jaza'ir) AlgeriaAntananarivo MadagascarAsmara (Asmera) EritreaBamako MaliBangui Central AfricaBanjul GambiaBissau Guinea-BissauBrazzaville Congo (Brazzaville)Bujumbura BurundiCairo (El Qahirah) EgyptPretoria (Adm.)Cape Town (Kaapstad) (legislative)Bloemfontein (Judicial)

South Africa

Conakry GuineaDakar SenegalDar es Salaam TanzaniaDjibouti (City) (Djiboûtî) DjiboutiFreetown Sierra LeoneGaborone BotswanaHarare (formerly Salisbury) ZimbabweJuba South SudanKampala UgandaKhartoum (Al Khartum, Al Khurtum (sd)

Sudan

Kigali RwandaKinshasa Congo (Kinshasa)El Aaiún (Laayoune, Al 'Ayun) Western SaharaLibreville GabonLilongwe MalawiMbabane (adm.)Lobamba (legislative)

Swaziland

Lomé TogoLuanda AngolaLusaka ZambiaMalabo (formerly Santa Isabel city state)

Equatorial Guinea

Maputo MozambiqueMaseru LesothoMogadishu (Muqdishu (ar), Muqdisho (so))

Somalia

Monrovia LiberiaMoroni (Môrônî (Arab) ComorosNairobi KenyaN'Djamena (Ndjamena) ChadNiamey NigerNouakchott (Nuwaskshut, Noûâkchot (mr))

Mauritania

Ouagadougou Burkina FasoPort Louis MauritiusPorto-Novo (constit)Cotonou (seat of gvnt)

Benin

Praia Cape VerdeRabat (Ar Ribat, Er Ribât (ma)) MoroccoTripoli (Tarabulus) LibyaTunis (Toûnis, Tunus (tn)) TunisiaVictoria SeychellesWindhoek NamibiaYamoussoukro Côte d'IvoireYaoundé Cameroon