Eastern Visayas

Area: 21,433 sq. km
Provinces and their capitals:
Biliran: Naval
Leyte: Tacloban City
Southern Leyte: Maasin
Eastern Samar: Borongan
Northern Samar: Catarman
Samar:Catbalogan

Cities: Calbayog, Ormoc, Tacloban City

Region VIII or Eastern Visayas covers the two big islands of Samar and Leyte and the island of Biliran.

Eastern Visayas is directly facing the Pacific Ocean. It is separated from Luzon by the San Bernardino Straight. Surigao Strait separates Leyte from northeastern Mindanao.

Samar is the third largest island of the Philippines. It is hilly with some mountains. The major rivers are Gibatan, Gandara, Basey and Calbiga.

Republic Act No. 4221, dated June 19, 1965, divided Samar into Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Western Samar. The name Western Samar was changed to Samar on June 21, 1969 under R.A. No. 5650.

Central Cordillera divides the province of Leyte into a broad valley in the east and Ormoc valley in the west. By virtue of Republic Act. 2227, the old province of Leyte was divided into the provinces of Leyte and Southren Leyte on May 22, 1959.

Biliran has a narrow coastal area and mountainous interior. Steep volcanic peaks dominate the central part of the province. Biliran is formerly a sub-province of Leyte. It became independent province on May 11, 1992.

Climate

The region receives heavy rainfall throughout the year. The island of Samar is always hit by typhoons that originate from the Pacific. It lies in the typhoon belt.

Beautiful Spots

Biliran teams with white sand beaches ideal for water sports. Dalutan Beach is famous for its sculpture rock formation.

Sambawan and Cogon Beaches are ideal for hunting shells and other forms of marine life, and are known for their coral gardens.

Biliran Volcano is the highest in the province and the favorite of climbers.

Sohotan Caves Natural Park in Basey, Samar, is a natural attraction because of its exotically shaped stone-bridges.

Going north from Catbalogan, one witnesses the Bongahan ruins and the Blanca Aurora Falls.