Leyte
Leyte (/ˈleɪti, ˈleɪteɪ/ LAY-tee, LAY-tay) is an island in the Visayas group of islands in the Philippines. It is eighth-largest and sixth-most populous island in the Philippines, with a total population of 2,626,970 as of 2020 census.
1933 map of Leyte | |
Location within the Philippines | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Southeast Asia |
| Coordinates | 10°50′N 124°50′E |
| Archipelago | Visayas |
| Adjacent to | |
| Area | 7,367.6 km2 (2,844.6 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 1,332 m (4370 ft) |
| Highest point | Alto Peak |
| Administration | |
| Region | Eastern Visayas |
| Provinces | |
| Largest settlement | Tacloban City (pop. 251,881) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 2,626,970 (2020) |
| Pop. density | 324.2/km2 (839.7/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | |
Since the accessibility of land has been depleted, Leyte has provided countless number of migrants to Mindanao. Most inhabitants are farmers. Fishing is a supplementary activity. Rice and corn (maize) are the main food crops; cash crops include coconuts, abaca, tobacco, bananas, and sugarcane. There are some manganese deposits, and sandstone and limestone are quarried in the northwest.
Politically, the island is divided into two provinces: (Northern) Leyte and Southern Leyte. Territorially, Southern Leyte includes the island of Panaon to its south. To the north of Leyte is the island province of Biliran, a former sub-province of Leyte.
The major cities of Leyte are Tacloban, on the eastern shore at the northwest corner of Leyte Gulf, and Ormoc, on the west coast.
Leyte today is notable for the geothermal electric power plants near Ormoc.