by Lionunion 
Central Luzon, also known as Region III, is an administrative region in the Philippines. It is primarily organized for administrative convenience and is composed of the seven provinces of the central plains of Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines. These provinces are Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales.
An Overview of Central Luzon
The total area of Central Luzon is approximately 22,014.63 square kilometers (8,499.90 square miles). According to the 2020 census, the region has a population of 12,422,172, with a density of about 560 people per square kilometer (1,500 people per square mile).
Economically, Central Luzon is a significant region in the Philippines. It has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of ₱2 trillion or $41 billion as of 2021, with a growth rate of 7.4%. The region is also known as the “Rice Granary of the Philippines” due to its vast plains that produce most of the country’s rice supply.
Exploring the Provinces of Central Luzon
Aurora
Aurora is a province in the Philippines located in the eastern part of the Central Luzon region, facing the Philippine Sea. Its capital is Baler. The province was named after Aurora Aragon, the wife of Pres. Manuel L. Quezon, the president of the Philippine Commonwealth.
The province covers an area of 3,147.32 square kilometers (1,215.19 square miles) and has a population of 235,750 as per the 2020 census. The population density is about 75 people per square kilometer (190 people per square mile).
Economically, Aurora’s main agricultural crops include corn and rice, with a total agricultural land area of 38,928 hectares or 13% of the provincial land area. It also has a rice plantation area of 8,945 hectares that produces an average of 24,000 tons annually.
Aurora is home to the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO), a special economic zone located in Casiguran. APECO was created to boost social, economic, and industrial developments in Aurora and nearby provinces by generating jobs, improving living conditions, advocating eco-friendly industrialization, and enhancing community productivity.
Bataan
Bataan is a province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. Its capital is the city of Balanga, and Mariveles is the largest town in the province. The province occupies the entire Bataan Peninsula on Luzon and is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north. The peninsula faces the South China Sea to the west and Subic Bay to the north-west, and encloses Manila Bay to the east.
The total land area of Bataan is 1,372.98 square kilometers (530.11 square miles), making it the 71st largest province out of 81 in the country. As of the 2020 census, the province has a population of 853,373, ranking 35th out of 81 provinces in terms of population. The population density is 620 people per square kilometer (1,600/sq mi), making it the 8th most densely populated province.
Bataan’s economy is one of the most progressive in Central Luzon and Manila Bay Region, and it is a key contributor to the region’s overall economic productivity. The province is strategically located in the middle of the country’s growth triad corridor of Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone, Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone, and Metro Manila. It is one of the Philippines’ industrial heartlands, with the presence of heavy industries, two freeport zones, and several special manufacturing zones.
The province hosts various industries, ranging from light to heavy, producing diverse products for domestic distribution and export such as refined petroleum products, petrochemicals, ammunitions, industrial grade explosives, marine cargo vessels, luxury yachts, pre-cast concrete, cement, steel building materials, animal feeds, fertilizers, fiberglass products, electronic components, automotive parts, medical personal protective equipment, paper, plastic products, optical lenses, textile and leather products, and sporting goods and apparels.
Agriculture and fishery productions are also major sources of income for the people of Bataan. Productions range from crops, fruits, fish, shellfish, and other marine species. About 44,000 hectares of land are utilized for farming. The top five agricultural crops produced by the province are palay (rice), corn, coconut, mango, and banana.
Bulacan
Bulacan, officially known as the Province of Bulacan, is a province in the Philippines situated in the Central Luzon region. The province’s capital is the city of Malolos. Bulacan was established on August 15, 1578, and is part of the Metro Luzon Urban Beltway Super Region. It is composed of 569 barangays in 20 municipalities and four component cities, namely Baliwag, Malolos, Meycauayan, and San Jose del Monte.
The province covers a total area of 2,796.10 square kilometers (1,079.58 square miles) and is the 46th largest province out of 81 in the country. As per the 2020 census, Bulacan had a population of 3,708,890, making it the second most populous province in the Philippines.
In terms of economy, Bulacan is classified as a first-class province. In 2018, it had assets worth PHP 11.166 billion, liabilities of PHP 2.623 billion, equity of PHP 8.543 billion, revenue of PHP 4.971 billion, and expenses of PHP 3.819 billion.
Nueva Ecija
Nueva Ecija, officially known as the Province of Nueva Ecija, is a landlocked province in the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. The capital of the province is the city of Palayan, while its largest city is Cabanatuan. The province was established on April 25, 1801, and is known as the Rice Granary of the Philippines due to its large rice yield.
The province spans a total area of 5,751.33 square kilometers (2,220.60 square miles), making it the 12th largest province out of 81 in the country. As of the 2020 census, Nueva Ecija had a population of 2,310,134, ranking it as the 10th most populous province in the Philippines.
Economically, Nueva Ecija is a significant agricultural province, with rice being its primary crop. The province’s fertile lands and favorable climate make it ideal for rice cultivation, earning it the nickname “Rice Granary of the Philippines.”
Pampanga
Pampanga, officially known as the Province of Pampanga, is a province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. It lies on the northern shore of Manila Bay and is bordered by Tarlac to the north, Nueva Ecija to the northeast, Bulacan to the east, Manila Bay to the central-south, Bataan to the southwest, and Zambales to the west. The capital of Pampanga is the City of San Fernando, while its largest city is Angeles City.
The province covers a total area of 2,002.20 square kilometers (773.05 square miles), making it the 61st largest province out of 81 in the country. As per the 2020 census, Pampanga had a population of 2,437,709, making it the 9th most populous province in the Philippines.
Economically, Pampanga is served by Clark International Airport, which is in Clark Freeport Zone, some 16 kilometers (9.9 mi) north of the provincial capital. The province is home to two Philippine Air Force airbases: Basa Air Base in Floridablanca and the former United States Clark Air Base in Angeles. Due to its growing population and developments, the Clark Global City is now developed and is located in Clark Freeport Zone.
Tarlac
Tarlac, officially known as the Province of Tarlac, is a landlocked province in the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the city of Tarlac. The province is bounded by the province of Pangasinan to the north, Nueva Ecija to the east, Zambales to the west, and Pampanga to the south. The province comprises three congressional districts and is subdivided into 17 municipalities and one city, Tarlac City, which is the provincial capital.
The province covers a total land area of 3,053.60 square kilometers (1,179.00 square miles), making it the 45th largest province out of 81 in the country. As per the 2020 census, Tarlac had a population of 1,503,456, making it the 18th most populous province in the Philippines.
Economically, Tarlac is known for its fine food and vast sugar and rice plantations in Central Luzon. The province is situated in the heartland of Luzon, in what is known as the Central Plain also spanning the neighboring provinces of Pampanga, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, and Bulacan.
Zambales
Zambales, officially known as the Province of Zambales, is a province in the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Iba, and it borders Pangasinan to the north and northeast, Tarlac to the east, Pampanga to the southeast, Bataan to the south, and the South China Sea to the west.
The province covers a total land area of 3,645.83 square kilometers (1,407.66 square miles), making it the 35th largest province out of 81 in the country. As per the 2020 census, Zambales had a population of 649,615, making it the 46th most populous province in the Philippines.
Economically, Zambales is known for its mangoes, which are abundant from January to April. The province does not have a functional airport – the closest functional airport is Clark International Airport in Angeles City in the neighboring province of Pampanga. Subic Bay International Airport, which is located in Cubi Point in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, is no longer functional for domestic and international flights. The Freeport Zone (SBFZ) is host to many tourist attractions which include casinos, parks, malls, beach-side huts, cottages and resorts, as well as historical sites.
Source: wikipedia
