Profile of Southern Leyte Province (Geography)
Location –> Eastern Visayas Region, Philippines (See map below)
Neighboring Provinces –> Leyte in the north, Dinagat Island across the Surigao Strait, Surigao del Norte across the Surigao Strait, and Bohol Province across the Canigao Channel
Capital –> Maasin City
Area –> 1,798.61 km2 (694.45 sq mi)
Population –> 421,750 (2015 census)
Terrain –> Mountainous with narrow coastal plains
Industries –> Agriculture
Major Products –> Rice, Coconut, Corn, Banana, Root crops
People/Language –> Bisaya, Waray
City –> Maasin (part of first district)
Municipalities (Towns) –> (18)
First District: Bontoc, Limasawa, Macrohon, Malitbog, Padre Burgos and Tomas Oppus
Second District: Anahawan, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Libagon, Liloan, Pintuyan, Saint Bernard, San Francisco, San Juan, San Ricardo, Silago and Sogod
Government Officials
Go here to see the elected provincial officials of Southern Leyte.
Southern Leyte History
Traditionally, the island of Limasawa, located near the coast of Southern Leyte, is believed to be the site of the first mass ever held on Philippine soil on March 31, 1521, an Easter Sunday. However, some historians consider the area of Masao in Butuan City as the actual site.
Southern Leyte province used to be the third legislative district of Leyte prior to the enactment of Republic Act 2227 which created it as a separate province. The law was signed into law by President Carlos P. Garcia on May 22, 1959.
In 1961, the province elected its first congressman in the person of Nicanor E. Yñiguez, Jr.
Go here to see the famous people of Southern Leyte Province.
Go here to see the candidates and results of the 2019 elections in Southern Leyte.
Read the history of Southern Leyte Province in Tagalog here.
Economy of Southern Leyte
Southern Leyte is primarily an agricultural province where rice, coconut, corn, abaca, peanut, banana, and vegetables are produced. Cottage industries include the production of furniture, tricycle, and handicraft items. Tourism is still in its infancy stage.
RELATED: Profile of Biliran Province
See also: List of Philippine Provinces and Capital by Region
Map of Province