Naga, Independent component city in Camarines Sur, Philippines.
Naga is an independent component city in Camarines Sur that stretches along the Naga River and serves as a major commercial center for the Bicol Region. The city connects several districts through bridges and wide streets lined with shops, universities, and religious buildings.
The settlement was founded in 1575 as Ciudad de Nueva Cáceres and grew into a major Spanish administrative center in the Philippines. After independence, the city developed into a regional hub for education and commerce on the Bicol peninsula.
The Peñafrancia Festival in September draws thousands of pilgrims to the Minor Basilica, making it the largest Marian pilgrimage in Asia. The river procession combines religious tradition with local customs and music.
Regular flights, buses, and trains to Manila make the city an accessible starting point for exploring the Bicol Region. Most points of interest and shops lie within walking distance in the city center along the main streets.
The city takes its name from the narra tree, known locally as naga, which was used in early times to craft wooden cups with shimmering properties. These cups were valued by early inhabitants as prized drinking vessels.
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