Zambales

Zambales is a province on the island of Luzon in the Philippines, it is one of the administrative region of Central Luzon. The provincial capital is Iba, which has a population of 755 621 ( census of 1 May 2010 ) people living in 13 municipalities. The city of Olongapo City is an autonomous county-level city.

Geography

The area of the province comprises 3529.4 km ² and is located on the west coast of the island of Luzon in the South China Sea. Your neighboring provinces of Pangasinan to the north, Tarlac and Pampanga to the east, and Bataan to the south. The mountain of the Zambales Mountains dominate the topography of the province, the coastal strip is relatively narrow. The highest peak is the 2,037 meter high Mount Tapulao, which is also known under the name of High Peak. The most famous mountain in the province is the volcano Pinatubo, which only reaches a height of 1,486 meters above sea level according to its violent eruption in 1991. Off the coast of the province are numerous islands, such as San Salvador Iceland.

History

Relatively little is known about the history of the province in the pre-colonial era, mainly the orally transmitted stories of the people, the Aeta and the Negritos give information. From the myths of the indigenous people of the Negritos is clear that is their origin is connected with the island of Sulawesi. It is likely existed already since the first millennium trade contacts with the countries in East and Southeast Asia. So the city Tondo in Manila Bay was founded in the 9th century Arabian traveler Ibn Battuta and reported in the 14th century on his way to China from the stay in the country Tawalisi and Princess Urduja, which many scientists locate in northern Pangasinan.

As the first Europeans, the Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo reached in 1572, the territory of the province and reports of pristine landscapes which is overgrown with dense vegetation. The first municipalities already formed at the beginning of the 17th century. 1607, 1611 and 1612 already Masinloc, Iba and Santa Cruz were founded proven. Masinloc was also the first capital of the province before the city strategically located Iba became the capital of the province. The name comes from the Malay language and Zambales Zambal was pronounced, the Spanish conquerors used since their arrival this designation for the region.

Attractions

The Magsaysay Ancestral House is located in Castillejos and is the home of the third president of the Philippines Ramon Magsaysay, it now houses a small museum which informs about the president and his family. The Looc Lake is also located in the municipality of Castillejos and is located in an unspoilt nature, the visitor presents the original nature of Zambales. The Aanawangin Bay is located in the municipality of San Antonio and has one of the longest sandy beaches in the province. The San Augustine Church in Iba is one of the most beautiful churches in the province and the San Andres Church in Masinloc is one of the oldest churches in the province of Zambales, the parish was founded in 1607. Kitsie 's Crocodiles Farm in the municipality Botolan presents rare species of the Philippines, such as the rare Philippine crocodile. The main tourist attraction of the province is the Pinatubo volcano with its crater lake. The highest mountain in the province, Mount Tapulao is accessible via hiking trails and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Zambales Mountains. In the south, the province of the Subic Watershed Forest Reserve is located.

Administrative divisions

Cities

Olongapo City autonomous county-level city

Municipalities

Subic Bay
Castillejos
San Marcelino
San Antonio
San Narciso
San Felipe
Cabangan
Botolan
Iba
Palauig
Masinloc
Candelaria
Santa Cruz

Province of the Philippines
Zambales

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