Albay
is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Legazpi City and the province borders the Camarines Sur to the north and Sorsogon to the south. Also to the northeast is Lagonoy Gulf leading to the Philippine Sea, and to the southwest is Burias Pass.
Mayon Volcano is the symbol most associated with the province. This nearly perfectly-shaped active volcano forms a scenic backdrop to the capital city of Legazpi 15 kilometers to the south.
Languages. Bikol is the primary language spoken in Albay, being a part of the Bicol Region. There are other dialects spoken in the province, however, such as Daragueño, Legazpeño or Albayanon, Oasnon and others. The dialects spoken in the coastal areas of the province are similar to that spoken in Camarines Sur while those further inland are similar to each other but differs significantly from the coastal dialect. Majority of the inhabitants also understand Tagalog and English.
Heavy manufacturing industries. Of the total 6,369 manufacturing establishments of varied sizes in the Bicol Region, 48.6% are located in Albay. Bicol's largest industrial sites are in Albay: Tiwi and Manito boast geothermal energy plants, Camalig has the Goodfound Cement Factory, Daraga has its Isarog Pulp and Paper Company, Legazpi City has Bicol Hair, and Legaspi Oil Company and two other large coconut oil milling plants, making Albay top foreign currency earner this part of Luzon. [1]
Transportation. Albay is also the region's principal transshipment point with its ports: Tabaco International, Legazpi National, Pio Duran Provincial, and the Pantao Regional Port (under construction in 2003). Legazpi City also has its own domestic airport which hopes to serve international flights in the near future. Legazpi Airport serves as Bicol's gateway to Manila and the Visayas.
Lagonoy Gulf borders the province to the northeast, separating it from the province of Catanduanes. Burias Island in the province Masbate can be found to the southwest across Burias Pass.
The province is generally mountainous with scattered fertile plains and valleys. Mayon Volcano, standing at around 2460 meters, is the most famous landform in Albay, and in the whole of Bicol, in fact. This active volcano is nearly perfectly-shaped and is considered by many to be more beautiful than Mt. Fuji in Japan. Other mountains and volcanoes in the province are Catburawan, Masaraga, Malinao, and Pantao.
In 1846, the islands of Masbate, Ticao, and Burias were separated from Albay to form the comandancia of Masbate. Albay was then divided into four districts: Iraya, Cordillera or Tobaco, Sorsogon, and Catanduanes. In 1894, Sorsogon became a separate province and Catanduanes in 1945. The province of Albay itself was created on March 10, 1917.
In 1649, the natives rebelled against their recruitment to Cavite to build galleons. In 1814, Mayon Volcano erupted, killing 1,200 people and burying the town of Cagsawa. During the early 19th century, abaca hemp for shipping rope became a source of wealth.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Province of Albay
)
Region: Bicol Region (Region V)
Capital: Legazpi City
Population:
2000 census1,090,907 (22nd largest)
Density427 per km² (10th highest)
2000 census1,090,907 (22nd largest)
Density427 per km² (10th highest)
Area: 2,552.6 km² (26th smallest)
Divisions:
Highly urbanized cities0
Component cities3
Municipalities15
Barangays720
Congressional districts3
Highly urbanized cities0
Component cities3
Municipalities15
Barangays720
Congressional districts3
Governor: Fernando Gonzales [2004-2007] (2004-2007)
)
Mayon Volcano is the symbol most associated with the province. This nearly perfectly-shaped active volcano forms a scenic backdrop to the capital city of Legazpi 15 kilometers to the south.
People and culture
Population. Based on the May 2000 census, Albay has a total population of 1,090,907, which makes it the 22nd most populous province in the country. There are 208,640 households in the province with an average size of 5.22 persons, significantly higher than the national average of 4.99.Languages. Bikol is the primary language spoken in Albay, being a part of the Bicol Region. There are other dialects spoken in the province, however, such as Daragueño, Legazpeño or Albayanon, Oasnon and others. The dialects spoken in the coastal areas of the province are similar to that spoken in Camarines Sur while those further inland are similar to each other but differs significantly from the coastal dialect. Majority of the inhabitants also understand Tagalog and English.
Economy
Traditional industries. Agriculture is the main industry in Albay, which produces such crops as coconut, rice, sugar, and abaca. Handicrafts is the major source of rural income. It continuous to provide fairly large share in the small-scale industries of the province. Forestry and papermaking are another source of livelihood. The manufacture of abaca products such as Manila hemp, hats, bags, mats, and slippers is one of the main sources of income in the rural areas. Fishing is also done along both shores of the province. Tourism, primarily because of Mayon Volcano, also draws income for Albay.Heavy manufacturing industries. Of the total 6,369 manufacturing establishments of varied sizes in the Bicol Region, 48.6% are located in Albay. Bicol's largest industrial sites are in Albay: Tiwi and Manito boast geothermal energy plants, Camalig has the Goodfound Cement Factory, Daraga has its Isarog Pulp and Paper Company, Legazpi City has Bicol Hair, and Legaspi Oil Company and two other large coconut oil milling plants, making Albay top foreign currency earner this part of Luzon. [1]
Transportation. Albay is also the region's principal transshipment point with its ports: Tabaco International, Legazpi National, Pio Duran Provincial, and the Pantao Regional Port (under construction in 2003). Legazpi City also has its own domestic airport which hopes to serve international flights in the near future. Legazpi Airport serves as Bicol's gateway to Manila and the Visayas.
Geography
Political
Albay is subdivided into 15 municipalities and 3 cities. Three of them, Tiwi, Daraga, and Legazpi City are classified as 1st class cities/municipalities. Before being converted into a city in March 2001, Tabaco City used to be a first class municipality.Cities
Municipalities
Physical
Albay has a total land area of 2,552.6 square kilometers, which makes it the 26th smallest province. Most of Albay is located on mainland Bicol Peninsula and it has four major islands to the east: Rapu-Rapu, Batan (part of Rapu-Rapu), Cagraray (part of Bacacay), and San Miguel (part of Tabaco City).Lagonoy Gulf borders the province to the northeast, separating it from the province of Catanduanes. Burias Island in the province Masbate can be found to the southwest across Burias Pass.
The province is generally mountainous with scattered fertile plains and valleys. Mayon Volcano, standing at around 2460 meters, is the most famous landform in Albay, and in the whole of Bicol, in fact. This active volcano is nearly perfectly-shaped and is considered by many to be more beautiful than Mt. Fuji in Japan. Other mountains and volcanoes in the province are Catburawan, Masaraga, Malinao, and Pantao.
History
Albay and its surrounding areas were known as Ibalon when Juan de Salcedo and 120 soldiers explored it in 1573. Sawangan, a small settlement by a mangrove swamp, became a town called Albaybay (which means by the bay) in 1616. The town was first renamed Albay, then Legazpi, as Albay went on to refer to the province.In 1846, the islands of Masbate, Ticao, and Burias were separated from Albay to form the comandancia of Masbate. Albay was then divided into four districts: Iraya, Cordillera or Tobaco, Sorsogon, and Catanduanes. In 1894, Sorsogon became a separate province and Catanduanes in 1945. The province of Albay itself was created on March 10, 1917.
In 1649, the natives rebelled against their recruitment to Cavite to build galleons. In 1814, Mayon Volcano erupted, killing 1,200 people and burying the town of Cagsawa. During the early 19th century, abaca hemp for shipping rope became a source of wealth.
External links
Legazpi city
Legazpi City is a first class city in the province of Albay, Philippines. It is the capital city of Albay, and the regional center of Bicol Region. It is nicknamed the "Queen City of Southern Luzon".
Positioned in the geographical center of the peninsula and the between the two island provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate, Legazpi has the strategic advantages of being a commercial, institutional, and transportation hub. Legazpi City is the southernmost terminus of the Philippine National Railways Main Line South. It also has a national port handling export.
According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 157,010 people in 30,612 households.
The seat of city and provincial offices and lately blooming into a new downtown, Albay District (also Old Albay or simply Albay as the district was the capital town of the Province before merging with Legazpi) has bistros that remain open till late at night; some shops and restos are open 24/7. Legazpi has three Jollibee stores: two in Port District (LCC and Pacific Mall), and one drive-thru in Albay, beside Mercury Drug/GTS and in front of Quick and Hearty.
Legazpi City is connected nationwide and the rest of the world through up-to-date communication system. The City is host to two cable TV operators, DCTV and ESTV. The City also hosts cellular and landline phone operators, Digitel/Sun Cellular, Globe, PLDT/Smart; and local MATELCO, offering mobilephone, fax, data, and DSL Internet services. A number of AM, FM, and TV stations including GMA (TV 12 and Campus Radio), ABC through its affiliate station TV 6 (ABC/PBN), and ABS-CBN TV 4 and MOR FM broadcast local, national, and international news and shows. GMA TV 12 (10 kW), ABS-CBN TV 4 (10 kW), and MOR FM (5 kW) set up their transmission towers on top of Mt. Bariw, virtually expanding their broadcast reach not only province wide; these stations could be seen and heard deep into Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, and Masbate, and even outside the Region: they have tuners as far as Northern Samar.
Legazpi City has two air-conditioned arenas: The Albay Astrodome in Albay District and Ibalong Centrum for Recreation (ICR) near Landco Business Park. For a number of times, these arenas served as venues of PBA games. In the past few years, only Legazpi could host PBA games because other cities in the region do not have air conditioned arenas.
The Miss Asia-Pacific pageant was held in the ICR in 2001. AUL has a brand-new gym with PBA/NBA sized courts and ring/boards. It only needs air conditioning and it could host regional and national games, amateur and professional; ditto Divine Word College gym. The city's hotels and convention halls regularly host regional and national conventions and seminars; In 2002, Albay Astrodome even hosted an international convention of the Free Masons; on November 27, 2003, about 4,000 members of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) attended its 57th annual national convention.
Legazpi was founded by the ancient settlers of the old barangay of Sawangan in the domain of Gat Ibal, a chief who ruled Albay. Spread in small groups of huts made of nipa and rattan, the small settlement occupied a conscription of low and swampy land known as Banuang-gurang or Binanuahan, which means old town or place in which a town was built. The indigenous name Sawangan was a corruption of Sabang, signifying natural wharf formed by the waters of the sea.
Positioned in the geographical center of the peninsula and the between the two island provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate, Legazpi has the strategic advantages of being a commercial, institutional, and transportation hub. Legazpi City is the southernmost terminus of the Philippine National Railways Main Line South. It also has a national port handling export.
According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 157,010 people in 30,612 households.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
City of Legazpi
)
Region: Bicol Region (Region V)
Population:
2000 census157,010
Density769 per km²
2000 census157,010
Density769 per km²
Area: 204.20 km²
Coordinates:
Barangays: 70
Congressional districts: 2nd district of Albay
Income Class: 1st class; partially urban
Mayor: Noel E. Rosal
)
Culture
The Ibalong Festival is the grandmother of all festivals in Bicol. It was begun in the early 1990s and is held every October to coincide with Legazpi Port District fiesta. Legazpi is also home to Albay's Magayon Festival held the whole month of May.Tourism
Legazpi City is the top tourist destination in Bicol as it lies 15 kilometers southeast of Mayon Volcano, the Philippines' most famous volcano. It is also the convenient jumpoff point to other tourist destinations in the region because it has the only trunkline airport in Bicol, Legazpi Airport. Legazpi Airport can accommodate medium haul jets as big as the Airbus A320, Boeing 737-400, and Boeing 727. In fact, tourists visiting Donsol, Bicol's emerging eco-tourism destination, have to make the obligatory stop by Legazpi Airport.Transportation
Legazpi Airport, with a runway of 2,280 meters, is the region's gateway and trunk line airport. Philippine Airlines flies daily to and from Manila. South East Asian Airlines flies to and from Cebu City on Mondays and Fridays. Alternate sites for relocation of the airport and upgrading into international are Bariis (farther from ash fall) and Alobo (15 kilometers from Mayon's crater).Commerce
The largest mall in Bicol is Pacific Mall/Gaisano Metro Legazpi Department Store and Supermarket, serving as the centerpiece of Landco Business Park. Prior to the opening of Landco Business Park, homegrown Liberty Commercial Center (LCC) Legazpi was the region's largest retailer. It has expanded to Naga City (LCC Central Mall). A. Bichara Silverscreen and Entertainment Center is a multi-story haven of shops, bistros, and cinemas.The seat of city and provincial offices and lately blooming into a new downtown, Albay District (also Old Albay or simply Albay as the district was the capital town of the Province before merging with Legazpi) has bistros that remain open till late at night; some shops and restos are open 24/7. Legazpi has three Jollibee stores: two in Port District (LCC and Pacific Mall), and one drive-thru in Albay, beside Mercury Drug/GTS and in front of Quick and Hearty.
Legazpi City is connected nationwide and the rest of the world through up-to-date communication system. The City is host to two cable TV operators, DCTV and ESTV. The City also hosts cellular and landline phone operators, Digitel/Sun Cellular, Globe, PLDT/Smart; and local MATELCO, offering mobilephone, fax, data, and DSL Internet services. A number of AM, FM, and TV stations including GMA (TV 12 and Campus Radio), ABC through its affiliate station TV 6 (ABC/PBN), and ABS-CBN TV 4 and MOR FM broadcast local, national, and international news and shows. GMA TV 12 (10 kW), ABS-CBN TV 4 (10 kW), and MOR FM (5 kW) set up their transmission towers on top of Mt. Bariw, virtually expanding their broadcast reach not only province wide; these stations could be seen and heard deep into Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, and Masbate, and even outside the Region: they have tuners as far as Northern Samar.
Legazpi City has two air-conditioned arenas: The Albay Astrodome in Albay District and Ibalong Centrum for Recreation (ICR) near Landco Business Park. For a number of times, these arenas served as venues of PBA games. In the past few years, only Legazpi could host PBA games because other cities in the region do not have air conditioned arenas.
The Miss Asia-Pacific pageant was held in the ICR in 2001. AUL has a brand-new gym with PBA/NBA sized courts and ring/boards. It only needs air conditioning and it could host regional and national games, amateur and professional; ditto Divine Word College gym. The city's hotels and convention halls regularly host regional and national conventions and seminars; In 2002, Albay Astrodome even hosted an international convention of the Free Masons; on November 27, 2003, about 4,000 members of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) attended its 57th annual national convention.
Barangays
Legazpi City is politically subdivided into 70 barangays.
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History
Legazpi was named after Miguel López de Legazpi, the Spanish conquistador who conquered the Philippine islands in 1565.Legazpi was founded by the ancient settlers of the old barangay of Sawangan in the domain of Gat Ibal, a chief who ruled Albay. Spread in small groups of huts made of nipa and rattan, the small settlement occupied a conscription of low and swampy land known as Banuang-gurang or Binanuahan, which means old town or place in which a town was built. The indigenous name Sawangan was a corruption of Sabang, signifying natural wharf formed by the waters of the sea.
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