| Luzon | |
 | |
Location  | |
| State | Philippines |
|---|---|
| Surface | 109.965 |
| Inhabitants | 53.336.134 (2015 census) |
Luzon is the largest island of the Philippines.
To know
Luzon is the northernmost island of the Philippine archipelago. By extension, the name Luzon designates the entire group of northern islands and constitutes one of the three regions into which the island country is divided. (the other two are Visayas, the central archipelago, and Mindanao, the southernmost island).
According to an unsubstantiated theory, the name Luzon comes from the word tagalog luzong which indicates a large wooden mortar used to crush rice.
Territories and tourist destinations
Luzon and the adjacent islands form an administrative division consisting of the following eight regions:
Bicol - Volcanic region with majestic landscapes, dotted with lakes and caves.
Cagayan Valley - The northeast region is characterized by dense jungles, grandiose valleys, waterfalls and many caves.
Calabarzon - Due to its proximity to Manila, the Calabarzon region is a popular weekend destination.
Central Luzon - A region of plains. Angeles City is considered one of the favorite sex tourism destinations, being located near the first military base of the United States Armed Forces.
Cordillera Administrative Region - A highland region, famous for its terraces used for rice cultivation and its pleasantly cool climate.
Ilocos - The northwest coastal region characterized by a great variety of peoples and cultures, as well as natural attractions. This is where the colonial center of Vigan is located, a unique city where Spanish atmospheres blend with Chinese ones.
Mimaropa - Region renowned for its national parks declared a World Heritage Site, as well as for its beaches bordered by palm trees.
Metro Manila - Metro Manila or even "National Capital Region"(NCR) is the smallest region of the Philippines but at the same time the most populous. It is the only one not divided into provinces. It is in fact made up of the municipality of Pateros and 16 cities. Among these the former capital Quezon City and today's one, Manila.
Urban centers
- Antipolo - A city of churches and a pilgrimage site with beautiful views over the capital Manila.
- Baguio - A northern university city renowned for its temperate climate and also nicknamed the "city of pines".
- Calamba - Capital of the Calabarzon region and birthplace of the national hero Jose Rizal.
- City of Angeles - One of the main destinations of sex tourism.
- Legazpi - "City of fun and adventure", at the foot of the Mayon volcano.
- Makati - The financial center of the Philippines, with tall skyscrapers and a wide choice of 5-star restaurants and hotels.
- Manila - The capital of Philippines.
- Puerto Princesa - Highly touristy city surrounded by beaches and hotel complexes, Puerto Princesa is nicknamed the "greenest city of the Philippines".
- San Fernando - Renowned for the Christmas lantern festival which attracts large numbers of tourists.
Other destinations
- Alaminos - Virgin beaches and a myriad of islands.
- Banaue is Batad - Location where there are series of terraces excavated 2000 years ago for the cultivation of rice and declared a World Heritage Site.
- Batangas - renowned scuba diving center near which is the smallest volcano in the world, the Taal.
- Corregidor - Small island in Manila Bay, the scene of an epic WWII battle and today an important tourist destination.
- Magalawa - Island in the Zambales province became a tourist destination after the completion of a marina with facilities for the mooring of private yachts. Its exceptional depths also attract scuba diving enthusiasts.
- Pagudpud - Town in the Ilocos Norte province, equipped with hotel complexes that overlook the beautiful beaches of the surroundings.
- Sagada - Inner city, Sagada it is a destination of ecological tourism, renowned for the variety of excursions it offers in its very clear surroundings between articulated caves and high waterfalls, but also for its folklore.
- Subic - Seaside resort located in the homonymous, magnificent bay.
- Tagaytay - One of the most relevant tourist destinations in the Philippines, thanks to its extraordinary landscapes and its temperate climate due to the high altitude.
- Vigan - Colonial city where typically Spanish atmospheres and Chinese traditions coexist.
