Luzon

Main article: Luzon

Geography

Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is found in the northern part of the Philippine archipelago. Many important cities are here, such as Manila, the capital, and Quezon City, the biggest city in the country.

Luzon has many different landscapes and rich resources. It is the 4th most populous island in the world and the 15th largest island by land area.

Island Groups

Luzon can also mean one of the three main island groups in the country. This group includes the Luzon Mainland and nearby islands such as the Batanes, Babuyan, and Polillo Islands. Other islands like Catanduanes, Marinduque, and Mindoro are also part of this group. Sometimes, Masbate, Palawan, and Romblon are included, but they are also sometimes grouped with the Visayas.

Etymology

The name Luzon likely comes from the word lusong. This was a Tagalog term for a large wooden mortar. People used it to process rice in old farming days.

Long ago, maps in languages like Latin, Italian, and Portuguese called the island Luçonia or Luconia. Sailors from Portugal in the 1500s used the word Luções for people near Manila Bay. This helped give the island its name today.

History

Before European colonization

Homo luzonensis fossils found in Callao Cave show that ancient humans lived on Luzon tens of thousands of years ago.

Before the year 1000, groups like the Tagalog, Kapampangan, and Pangasinan lived along the coasts of southern and central Luzon. They formed kingdoms such as Maynila and Tondo. An old document from 900 mentions places near Manila Bay. These kingdoms traded with nearby countries and followed different beliefs including Hinduism, Animism, or Islam.

There was also a Buddhist area called Ma-i, known to Chinese and Bruneian records. Trade with Japan was important in the 1200s, with special clay jars made in Luzon.

Interactions with the Portuguese

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to record Luzon, calling it Luçonia. They met people from Luzon as far away as India, working as sailors and soldiers.

Spanish Colonial Era

Main article: History of the Philippines (1565–1898)

In 1569, Spanish explorers arrived in Luzon and began to establish control. They renamed Maynila to Nueva Castilla and made it the capital. The Spanish built towns and forts, and brought new people to the islands.

Luzon became a center for trade between Asia and the Americas. Ships called Manila Galleons carried silver from places like Peru to buy goods from China and India.

After Spanish colonization

After Spain left, the Philippines faced new rulers. During World War II, Japan took control of Luzon. After the war, the Philippines became independent. Many people from Luzon moved to other countries for work. Today, Luzon remains the most developed part of the Philippines.

Geography

Further information: Geography of Luzon

Luzon is the biggest island in the Philippines. It has an area of 109,964.9 square kilometres. The South China Sea lies to its west, the Philippine Sea to its east, and the Luzon Strait to its north. The island is roughly shaped like a rectangle, with the long Bicol Peninsula pointing southeast.

Luzon has four main regions: Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Southeastern Luzon. Northern Luzon has flat coastal lands and mountain ranges, including the Cordillera Central, where Mount Pulag, the highest peak on the island, is found. Central Luzon has a big flat plain that grows lots of rice. Southern Luzon is home to Laguna de Bay, the country's largest lake, and the busy city area of Metro Manila. Southeastern Luzon includes the Bicol Peninsula, known for volcanoes such as Mayon Volcano.

Demographics

Luzon Island has many people. As of the 2024 census, about 59,865,193 people live there. This makes Luzon the 4th most populated island in the world. Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines and has more people than any other island in the country. It holds over half of all the people in the Philippines.

Metro Manila is the biggest city area in the Philippines. It is one of the largest city areas in the world. Metro Manila includes cities such as Quezon City and Manila. When you count the people living around these cities, the total is about 21 million. Luzon has many important cities and towns, each with its own special story.

Economy

The economy of Luzon is centered in Metro Manila. Big companies like Ayala, Jollibee Foods Corporation, SM Group, and Metrobank are based there in places such as Makati Central Business District, Ortigas Center, and Bonifacio Global City. Many farms grow crops such as rice, bananas, mangoes, coconuts, pineapple, and coffee. Other important work includes raising animals, tourism, mining, and fishing.

Luzon has several important airports. Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila is the busiest airport in the Philippines. Clark International Airport also serves international flights. Other airports on the island provide flights within the country, including Bicol International Airport in Legazpi, Cauayan Airport, Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte, Naga Airport, Puerto Princesa International Airport, and Tuguegarao Airport.