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B A S I C     F A C T S

CAPITAL
Tacloban City
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LOCATION
Easternmost coasts of the Philippine archipelago
N - tip of Bicol peninsula
E - Pacific Ocean
W - Maqueda Bay, Visayas
      and Camotes Sea
S - nickel belt of Surigao
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LAND AREA
21,562.8 sq. kms.
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POLITICAL COMPOSITION
Provinces
     Biliran
     Leyte
     Southern Leyte
     Eastern Samar
     Northern Samar
     Samar
Cities
     Calbayog
     Ormoc
     Tacloban
     Maasin
No. of Towns - 139
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POPULATION
3.4 million
     (as of 1995 census)
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CLIMATE
No distinct dry or wet season.  Driest months - April to May; rainiest months - November to January.
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TOPOGRAPHY
Leyte has vast plains.  Samar is marked by broad upland areas and low rugged hills.  Biliran has fertile plains and lush green hills.  These islands have long undulating coastlines.
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DIALECTS
Lineyte - Samarnon (Waray-waray), Cebuano, Inabaknon (Capul Is.), Filipino, English
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RELIGION
Predominantly Catholic
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For information, contact:

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM
Regional Office No. VIII
GF, Foundation Plaza Bldg.
LP Resort Compound
Magsaysay Blvd.
Tacloban City - 6500
Leyte, Philippines
Tel. #:  (63+53) 321-2048
                         321-4333
Fax. #:  (63+53) 325-5279
e-mail: dotreg8@skyinet.net
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