Northern Samar Province
occupies the entire northern portion of Samar Island on
the eastern edge of the Philippines archipelago. It is bounded
on the north by the San Bernardino Strait, on the east by the
Pacific Ocean, on the west by the Samar Sea, and on the south
by the province of Samar.
BRIEF PROFILE |
Capital: |
Catarman |
Land Area: |
3,692.93 km² |
Population: |
589,013 (2010) |
Cities: |
- |
Munacipalities: |
24 |
Barangays: |
569 |
Districts: |
1st and 2nd districts of Samar |
Languages: |
Waray-Waray,Inabaknon, English |
The Land_______________________________
The province has extensive lowland areas along the coast and up
to the valleys of the Catarman, Catubig, and Palapag rivers. The
remaining portion has rugged terrain that becomes rolling and
moutainous towards the interior.
The province has no distinct dry and wet seasons but rainfall
is pronounced from October to January.
A Brief History___________________________
The San Bernardino Strait was along the route of the Spanish galleons
that plied between Manila and Acapulco during Spanish times. A
royal port was established in Palapag, as a refuge for galleons
during storms.
In 1649, a general uprising against Spain took place. It took
a year for the Spaniards to quell the rebellion.
In 1898, Americans landed on the beach of Catarman.
On June 19, 1965, the provinces of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar
and Western Samar were created out of Samar Island.
The People_____________________________
Like the rest of Samar Island, the people here speak the Waray
dialect.
Commerce and Industry____________________
Coconut is the main crop produced by the province. Other crops
produced are rice, corn, abaca, etc.
The province, however, is considered a "food-deficent"
area as it has a shortage not only of rice but also fruits, vegetables
and legumes.
The three bodies of water that surround Northern Samar are major
fishing grounds.
Other industries in the province include furniture-making, ceramics,
metalcraft, garements, food processing, and related crafts.
Getting There and Away____________________
Domestic flights are available from Manila to Catarman daily.