Luzon 69375 226075132 2008-07-16T18:43:01Z 167.1.146.100 /* Administrative divisions */ {{Infobox Islands |name = Luzon |image name = Ph luzviminda.png |image caption = Map of the [[Philippines]] showing the island groups of [[Luzon]], [[Visayas]], and Mindanao. |native name = |native name link = |location = [[South East Asia]] |coordinates= |archipelago = [[Philippine islands]] |total islands = 7,107 |major islands = [[Luzon]], [[Mindanao]], [[Mindoro Island|Mindoro]], [[Palawan Island|Palawan]] |area = 109,965 km² |rank = 15th |highest mount = [[Mount Pulag|Pulag]] |elevation = 2,922 m |country = Philippines |country admin divisions title = Regions |country admin divisions = [[National Capital Region]], [[Bicol Region|Bicol]], [[Cagayan Valley]], [[CALABARZON]], [[Central Luzon]], [[Cordillera Administrative Region|Cordillera]], [[Ilocos Region|Ilocos]] |country largest city = [[Quezon City]] |country largest city population = 2,679,450 |population = 39,500,000 |population as of = 2000 |density = 359.2 |ethnic groups = [[Aeta]], [[Bicolano people|Bicolano]], [[Ibanag people|Ibanag]], [[Igorot]], [[Ilokano people|Ilokano]], [[Kapampangan people|Kapampangan]], [[Pangasinan people|Pangasinan]], [[Tagalog people|Tagalog]] }} '''Luzon''' is the largest and most economically and politically important [[island]] in the [[Philippines]] and one of the three island groups in the country, with [[Visayas]] and [[Mindanao]] being the other two. Luzon as an island group includes the island of Luzon itself, plus the [[Batanes]] and [[Babuyan Islands|Babuyan]] groups of islands to the north, and the main and outlying islands of [[Catanduanes]], [[Marinduque]], [[Masbate]], [[Romblon]], and [[Mindoro]] in the south.<ref name="unique">{{cite book | last =Zaide | first =Sonia M. | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | title =The Philippines, a Unique Nation | publisher = | location = | id = page 50 Luzon was once split among Muslim Principalities and Pagan Tribes,who had trading connections with [[Malaysia]],[[India]],[[Japan]] and China after the Spanish established thier rule.The first European explorers recorded it in their charts as Luçonia or Luçon and inhabitants were called Luçoes <ref>Pires, Tomé, A suma oriental de Tomé Pires e o livro de Francisco Rodriguez: Leitura e notas de Armando Cortesão [1512 - 1515], translated and edited by Armando Cortesao, Cambridge: Hakluyt Society, 1944.</ref>. Under Spain, Luzon also came to be known as the '''''Nueva Castilla''''' or the '''''New Castile'''''. ==Administrative divisions== [[Image:Luzon regions.PNG|right|thumb|A [[map]] of [[Luzon]] color-coded by [[Regions of the Philippines|region]]s. {{legend|purple|Bicol}} {{legend|navy|Cagayan Valley}} {{legend|yellow|CALABARZON}} {{legend|blue|Central Luzon}} {{legend|green|Cordillera}} {{legend|red|Ilocos}} {{legend|magenta|Metro Manila}} {{legend|orange|MIMARO}}]] The eight regions are listed below, discussed individually. Its administrative centers are for formality's sake only, meaning, there is no 'valid' regional administrative center (except in the case of Administrative regions), the power being vested by the provincial governments. The regional centers are only the head tourist offices for the region. * [[Ilocos Region]] (Region I) * [[Cagayan Valley]] (Region II) * [[Central Luzon]] (Region III) * [[CALABARZON]] (Region IV-A) * [[MIMARO]] (Region IV-B) * [[Bicol Region]] (Region V) * [[Cordillera Administrative Region]] (CAR) * [[Metro Manila|National Capital Region]] (NCR) Ilocos Region (Region I) is located in the northwest portion of the main island. Its provinces are: [[Ilocos Norte]], [[Ilocos Sur]], [[La Union province|La Union]], and [[Pangasinan]]. Its inhabitants are mostly of [[Ilokano language|Ilocano]] descent and the main languages are [[Ilokano language|Ilokano]] and [[Pangasinan language|Pangasinan]]. The region's administrative center is [[San Fernando City, La Union]]. The city of [[Vigan]] in Ilocos province is the oldest surviving Spanish colonial city in the Philippines. Cagayan Valley (Region II) is located in the northeast portion of the main island and also covers the Batanes and Babuyan islands to the north. The valley is surrounded by the [[Cordillera Central, Luzon|Cordillera Central]] and [[Sierra Madre (Philippines)|Sierra Madre]] mountain ranges. Running through its center is the country's longest river, Cagayan River. Its provinces are Batanes, [[Cagayan]], [[Isabela]], [[Nueva Vizcaya]], and [[Quirino]]. The region's administrative center is [[Tuguegarao City]]. Central Luzon (Region III) contains the largest [[plain]] of the country and produces most of the country's [[rice]] supply. Its provinces are [[Aurora province|Aurora]], [[Bataan]], [[Bulacan]], [[Nueva Ecija]], [[Pampanga]], [[Tarlac]], and [[Zambales]]. The region's administrative center is the [[San Fernando City, Pampanga|City of San Fernando, Pampanga]]. The former [[United States Navy]] base of [[U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay|Subic Bay]] is located in [[Zambales]] while the former [[United States Air Force]] is in [[Clark Field]], Pampanga. Both are now two of the country's booming special economic zones. The main languages are [[Kapampangan]] and [[Tagalog]]. CALABARZON (Region IV-A), one of the newest regions of the country, was previously a part of [[Southern Tagalog]] (Region IV). It is one of the most populated areas of the country. The name of the region is actually an acronym that stands for its provinces, which are [[Cavite]], [[Laguna province|Laguna]], [[Batangas]], [[Rizal]], and [[Quezon]]. The Tagalogs are the dominant ethnic group in this region, with [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]] as the main language. Its recognized administrative center is [[Manila]], which is in [[Metro Manila]], however, some government officials still consider [[Quezon City]], which is also in [[Metro Manila]] as the administrative center, and also, [[Lucena City]]. MIMARO (Region IV-B), along with CALABARZON is the newest region of the country, and was previously a part of Southern Tagalog (Region IV). It contains most of the islands in the Luzon group. The name of the region is actually an acronym that stands for its provinces, which are [[Marinduque]], [[Occidental Mindoro]], [[Oriental Mindoro]], [[Romblon]], and [[Palawan]]. The region's administrative center is [[Calapan City]]. Bicol Region (Region V) occupies the [[Bicol Peninsula]] at the southeastern end of Luzon island, plus the outlying islands which include the island provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate. The remaining mainland provinces are [[Albay]], [[Camarines Norte]], [[Camarines Sur]], and [[Sorsogon]]. The region's administrative center is [[Legazpi City]]. The inhabitants are of Bicolano descent with [[Bikol language|Bikol]] as the main language. Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) almost completely covers the [[Cordillera Central, Luzon|Cordillera Central]] mountain range of Northern Luzon. CAR, created in [[1989]] is a special administrative region for the indigenous tribes of these mountains. Its provinces are [[Abra province|Abra]], [[Apayao Province|Apayao]], [[Benguet]], [[Ifugao]], [[Kalinga Province|Kalinga]], and [[Mountain Province]]. The regional center is [[Baguio City]]. National Capital Region (NCR) is a special administrative region that contains the capital of the country, Manila; the country's most populous city, Quezon City; and an additional 15 more cities and municipalities. The region is more popularly known as [[Metro Manila]]. It is the only region in the country that has no provinces, and is the most densely populated with over 10 million people living in a 636 km² area. ==Geography== Luzon's area is [[1 E11 m²|104,688 square kilometers]], making it the [[List of islands by area|world's 15th largest island]]. It is the fifth [[List of islands by population|most populous island in the world]]. Located on Luzon are the country's capital, [[Manila]], and its most populous city, [[Quezon City]]. The island is very [[mountain]]ous and is home to [[Mount Pulag]], the second highest mountain in the country and [[Mayon Volcano|Mayon]], the most famous [[volcano]]. To the west of Luzon island is the [[South China Sea]] (Luzon Sea in Philippine territorial waters), to the east is the [[Philippine Sea]], and to the north is [[Luzon Strait]] containing [[Babuyan Channel]] and [[Balintang Channel]]. The main part of the island is roughly rectangular in shape and has the long [[Bicol Peninsula]] protruding to the southeast. The northern part of the island contains the largest [[mountain range]] in the country, the [[Cordillera Central, Luzon|Cordillera Central]]. [[Mount Pulag]], the second highest mountain in the country, is located there, rising 2,922 meters. To the east of the Cordillera Central is the large [[Cagayan Valley]], which serves as the basin for the [[Cagayan River]], the longest river in the Philippines. To the east of the valley rises the [[Sierra Madre (Philippines)|Sierra Madre]] mountain range, easily the longest range in the country. The Sierra Madre snakes southwards into the central and southern part of the island. Between it and the [[Zambales Mountains]] to the west is the largest plain, the Central Luzon plain. This plain, approximately 11,000&nbsp;km² in size, is the country's largest producer of rice. Among the rivers irrigating this plain, the longest are [[Agno]] to the north, and [[Pampanga River|Pampanga]] to the south. In the middle of the plain rises the solitary [[Mount Arayat]]. To the west, in the Zambales Mountains, rises [[Mount Pinatubo]], made famous because of its enormous [[1991]] eruption. The Zambales mountains extends to the sea in the north, forming [[Lingayen Gulf]], home to the [[Hundred Islands National Park]]. To the south, the mountains also extend into the sea, forming the [[Bataan Peninsula]], which encloses the [[Manila Bay]]. This natural [[harbor]] is considered to be one of the best natural ports in East Asia, due to its size and strategic geographical location. To the southeast of Manila Bay is the largest lake in the country, and also the largest inland lake in Southeast Asia, the [[Laguna de Bay]] (Old Spanish, Lake of Bay town). This 949&nbsp;km² lake is drained by the [[Pasig River]] into Manila Bay. Pasig River is one of the most important rivers in the country due to its historical significance and because it runs through the center of [[Metro Manila]]. Located just 20&nbsp;km southwest of Laguna de Bay is [[Taal Lake]], within the southwestern portion of the island. This caldera of a lake contains the smallest [[volcano]] of the country, [[Taal Volcano]], which rises on the island in the center of the lake. The volcano in turn has a lake in its crater. All the surrounding areas of Taal Lake were once part of a massive prehistoric volcano that covered the southern portion of the province of Cavite, Tagaytay City, and the whole of Batangas province. Off the southwestern portion of Luzon is the island of Mindoro, separated by the [[Verde Island Passages]]. The passages connect the South China Sea to the east with the [[Tayabas Bay]]. To the south of the bay is the island of Marinduque. The southeastern portion of Luzon is dominated by the [[Bicol Peninsula]]. This is a mountainous and narrow region that extends approximately 150&nbsp;km southeast. Along it are numerous gulfs and bays. In the north is [[Lamon Bay]], which contains [[Alabat Island]] and is south of the [[Polillo Islands]] of [[Quezon|Quezon province]]. Other bays and gulfs include [[San Miguel Bay]], [[Lagonoy Gulf]], [[Ragay Gulf]], and [[Sorsogon Bay]]. To the east of the peninsula lies the island of Catanduanes. Leading to it is the [[Caramoan Peninsula]]. Off the southeast tip of Bicol is [[Samar (island)|Samar island]], separated by [[San Bernardino Strait]]. Bicol Peninsula is connected to the main part of Luzon through the [[Tayabas Isthmus]]. Extending south from the isthmus is the [[Bondoc Peninsula]]. The Bicol Peninsula is also home to numerous volcanoes. The most famous is [[Mayon Volcano]] in [[Albay]]. This 2,460 m high volcano is symmetrically shaped, rivaling that of [[Mount Fuji]] in [[Japan]], and is a symbol of the [[Bicol Region]]. Other notable mountains are [[Mount Isarog]] and [[Mount Iriga]] in [[Camarines Sur]], and [[Mount Bulusan]] in [[Sorsogon]]. Located off the southwestern coast of the Bicol Peninsula are the islands of [[Ticao Island|Ticao]], [[Burias Island|Burias]], and Masbate. {{see also|Geography of the Philippines}} ===Tectonics=== Luzon is a mobile belt, or a fast deforming plate boundary zone -- hemmed in between two opposing subduction zones, the west-dipping [[Philippine Trench]] -- East-Luzon Trough subduction zone, and the east-dipping north-south trending [[Manila Trench]](Hamburger et al., 1982). The Philippine Sea Plate subducts under Luzon on the east (along the Philippine Trench) while the Sunda block (part of the Eurasian plate subducts under Luzon along the Manila Trench at the western part (Rangin, et al., 1999). The N-sW trending left-lateral strike-slip Philippine Fault System traverses Luzon, from [[Quezon province]]/[[Bicol]] to the northwestern part of the island. This fault system takes up part of the motion due to the subducting plates and produces large earthquakes. Southwest of Luzon is a collision zone where the [[Palawan]]-[[Borneo]] block collides with SW Luzon, producing a highly seismic zone near [[Mindoro]] island. SW Luzon is characterized by a highly volcanic zone, called the [[Macolod Corridor]], a region of crustal thinning and spreading. Using seismic and geodetic data, Luzon has been modeled as a series of six micro blocks or micro plates, all moving and rotating in different directions, with maximum velocities ~100 mm/yr NW with respect to Sundaland/Eurasia (Galgana et al., 2007). This highly deforming, multi-block nature of Luzon is also noted in its Geologic make up, as cited by Pubellier et al.(2004) among others. ==Economy== The economy of the island is centered in [[Makati City|Makati]]. [[Agriculture]] predominates in [[Central Luzon]]. ==Demographics== <!--Please suggest changes through the talk page. Thanks.--> ===Ethnic groups=== <!--Please suggest changes through the talk page. Thanks.--> {{main|Ethnic groups of the Philippines}} The people of Luzon belong to the [[Filipino people]], and are divided into several [[Ethnolinguistics|ethnolinguistic]] groups. These groups inhabit different areas of the island. [[Ilocano people|Ilocanos]] predominate in the regions of [[Ilocos Region|Ilocos]] and the Cagayan Valley, [[Pangasinan people|Pangasinense]] primarily inhabit [[Pangasinan]], while the [[Kapampangan people|Kapampangans]] primarily live in [[Pampanga]], [[Tarlac]] and the rest of Central Luzon. Meanwhile, [[Tagalog people|Tagalog]]s are the majority in [[Bulacan]], [[CALABARZON]], and [[Metro Manila]], while [[Bicolano people|Bicolanos]] predominate in [[Bicol Region|Bicol]]. Other ethnic groups are also present such as the [[Aeta]] of [[Zambales]], the [[Ibanag people|Ibanag]] of [[Cagayan province|Cagayan]], and the [[Igorot]] of the [[Cordillera Administrative Region|Cordilleras]]. Due to recent migrations populations of [[Hindus]], [[Moro people|Moros]], and [[Filipino Chinese|Chinese]] have also been present in urban areas. Populations of [[Filipinos of Spanish descent|Spanish]], [[Filipinos of American descent|Americans]], [[Filipinos of Japanese descent|Japanese]], [[Koreans in the Philippines|Koreans]], [[Desi]]s, [[Blacks in the Philippines|Blacks]], and [[Filipino mestizo]]s are also visible. Most Americans have settled in [[Angeles City]] and [[Olongapo City]] due to the presence of the U.S. air and naval bases in Central Luzon. ===Languages=== <!--Please suggest changes through the talk page. Thanks.--> {{main|Languages of the Philippines}} [[Image:Phillanguages.jpg|100px|thumb|right|Map of the dominant Ethnolinguistic groups of the Philippines]] Almost all of the languages of Luzon belong to the [[Borneo-Philippines languages|Borneo-Philippines]] group of the [[Malayo-Polynesian languages|Malayo-Polynesian language]] branch of the [[Austronesian languages|Austronesian language family]]. Major regional languages include: [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]], [[Ilokano language|Ilocano]], [[Kapampangan language|Kapampangan]], [[Bikol language|Bikol]], and [[Pangasinan language|Pangasinan]]. [[English language|English]] and [[Lan-nang|Lan-nang-oe]], a variant of Hokkien ([[Min Nan]]), is also used by many inhabitants. [[Spanish language in the Philippines|Spanish]] has a history on the island, primarily due to educated illustrados (including [[José Rizal]]) as well as authorities of the [[Spanish Empire]]. Spanish was the language of [[Philippine Revolution]], and the 1899 Malolos Constitution proclaimed it as the official language. However, its use declined following the American occupation of the Philippines. ===Religion=== <!--Please suggest changes through the talk page. Thanks.--> {{main|Religion in the Philippines}} Major religions present in the island include [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholicism]], [[Protestantism]], the [[Philippine Independent Church]], and [[Iglesia ni Cristo]].<ref>[http://www.census.gov.ph/data%5Cpressrelease%5C2003%5Cpr0323tx.html PHILIPPINES: ADDITIONAL THREE PERSONS PER MINUTE] [http://www.census.gov.ph National Statistics Office] Accessed November 27, 2006</ref> Indigenous traditions and rituals are also present. Sizable communities of [[Buddhism in the Philippines|Buddhist]]s and [[Islam in the Philippines|Muslim]]s have also began to be present in [[Metro Manila]] due to migrations of [[Moro people|Moros]] and [[Filipino Chinese|Chinese]]. ==See also== {{wiktionary}} * [[Regions of the Philippines]] * [[Provinces of the Philippines]] * [[Visayas]] * [[Mindanao]] ==Links== * {{wikitravel|Luzon}} ==External links== * Central Luzon [http://www.centralluzon.com/ Local Business Directory] ==References== <!-- ---------------------------------------------------------- See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for a discussion of different citation methods and how to generate footnotes using the <ref>, </ref> and <reference /> tags ----------------------------------------------------------- --> {{reflist}} {{Luzon lateral}} {{coor title dm|16|00|N|121|00|E|region:PH_type:isle}} [[Category:Islands of the Philippines]] [[ar:لوزون]] [[bcl:Luzon]] [[bg:Лусон]] [[ca:Luzon]] [[cs:Luzon]] [[da:Luzon]] [[de:Luzon]] [[et:Luzon]] [[es:Luzón]] [[eu:Luzon]] [[fr:Luçon (Philippines)]] [[gl:Luzón]] [[ko:루손 섬]] [[ilo:Luzon]] [[id:Luzon]] [[it:Luzon]] [[la:Luconia]] [[lt:Lusonas]] [[mk:Лузон]] [[nl:Luzon (eilandengroep)]] [[ja:ルソン島]] [[no:Luzon]] [[nn:Luzon]] [[pl:Luzon]] [[pt:Luzon]] [[ru:Лусон]] [[sr:Лузон]] [[fi:Luzon]] [[sv:Luzon]] [[tl:Luzon]] [[th:เกาะลูซอน]] [[vi:Luzon]] [[war:Luzon]] [[cbk-zam:Luzon]] [[zh:呂宋]]