The Land of History






Comprising a total land area of 5,712.8 sq. km., Leyte is bounded on the north by Carigara Bay, on the east by the San Juanico Strait and Leyte Gulf, on the west by the Visayan Sea and Ormoc Sea, and on the south by Southern Leyte.

The terrain of the province is relatively flat to gently rolling and becoming mountainous and rough towards the center where a mountain range begins.

Areas of Interest

Leyte CapitolThe Leyte Provincial Capitol is the seat of the provincial government where historic viewing of a mural depicting the First Mass of Limasawa in the Orient and the landing of Gen. Douglas MacArthur can be done.

The Leyte Landing Memorial in Red Beach, Palo, marks the spot where American liberation forces landed it also has a lagoon where the life-size statues of Gen. McArthur and his fleet stands.

Lake Danao is a violin-shaped lake hemmed by cloud-capped mountain ranges. It is a hunter’s paradise where wild animals roam the surrounding forests. It is also said to be the home of a giant eel.

The Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum boasts the painting of the 14 Station of the Cross done by Filipino artists and a bas-relief of the legend of the first Filipino man and woman (Malakas and Maganda).


The economy of Leyte depends on agriculture. Rice is farmed in the lower flatter areas specifically those around Tacloban, while coconut farming, for coconut oil, and is the main cash crop of the more mountainous areas. Fishing is also a major source of livelihood among residents.


Heavy rains occur between November and February while March to April and August to September are the driest months.

People and Culture

The people of Leyte are divided into two main groups, primarily by language. In the west and south are the Cebuanos, while in the north and east are the Waray-waray.
The Cebuanos have ties with Cebu, the most populous province in the Visayas; the Warays are more tied to Leyte and Samar.

Source: Wow Philippines and Wikipedia