Samar
Samar (/ˈsɑːmɑːr/ SAH-mar) is the third-largest and seventh-most populous island in the Philippines, with a total population of 1,909,537 as of the 2020 census. It is located in the eastern Visayas, which are in the central Philippines. The island is divided into three provinces: Samar (formerly Western Samar), Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar. These three provinces, along with the provinces on the nearby islands of Leyte and Biliran, are part of the Eastern Visayas region.
Samar island satellite image captured by Sentinel-2 in 2016 | |
Location within the Philippines | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 12°00′N 125°00′E |
| Archipelago | Visayas |
| Adjacent to | |
| Area | 13,428.8 km2 (5,184.9 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 63rd |
| Coastline | 800.6 km (497.47 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 890 m (2920 ft) |
| Highest point | Mount Huraw |
| Administration | |
| Region | Eastern Visayas |
| Provinces | |
| Largest settlement | Calbayog (pop. 186,960) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 1,909,537 (2020) |
| Pop. density | 140/km2 (360/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Visayans (Waray-Waray) |
About a third of the island of Samar is protected as a natural park, known as the Samar Island Natural Park.
On June 19, 1965, through Republic Act No. 4221, Samar was divided into three provinces: Northern Samar, (Western) Samar and Eastern Samar. The capitals of these provinces are, respectively, Catarman, Catbalogan, and Borongan. In commemoration of the establishment of these provinces, June 19 is celebrated as an annual holiday and many have the day off from work.