Luzon
Luzon is the largest and most populous island of the Philippines, encompassing Manila and much of the country’s political and economic activity.
Manila: The capital city of the Philippines, located on the western shore of Luzon. Manila anchors the island’s political and cultural life.
Mount Mayon: An active, nearly symmetrical stratovolcano in Albay, southeastern Luzon. Its iconic cone is one of Luzon’s most recognizable landmarks.
Callao Cave: A limestone cave system in Cagayan, northern Luzon, containing archaeological remains and a fossilized hominin foot bone. Its discoveries pushed evidence of human presence on Luzon far deeper into the past.
Government of the Philippines: The national government that exercises executive, legislative, and judicial authority in the Philippines. Its principal institutions are based in Metro Manila on Luzon.
Mindanao: The second-largest island of the Philippines, located in the country’s south. It is Luzon’s largest geographic counterpart and has distinct regional histories.
Metro Manila: The Philippines’ densely populated National Capital Region, centered on Manila and composed of 16 cities and one municipality. The country’s largest urban region spreads across southern Luzon.
Taal Volcano: An active volcano on an island in Taal Lake, south of Manila. Its lake-and-volcano landscape lies within the island’s densely settled south.
Homo luzonensis: An extinct hominin species identified from fossils found in Callao Cave, Luzon. The species is named for the island where its fossils were found.
Philippine economy: The national economy of the Philippines, comprising industry, services, agriculture, and international trade. Luzon contains a large share of the country’s economic activity and infrastructure.
Visayas: The central island group of the Philippines, between Luzon and Mindanao. Its many smaller islands contrast with Luzon’s scale and population concentration.