Leyte, Administrative province in Eastern Visayas, Philippines
Leyte is an administrative province in the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines and occupies roughly three quarters of the island with the same name. The province borders Southern Leyte to the south, Biliran island lies to the west, and the San Juanico Strait separates it from Samar to the north.
Most of the province came under Spanish colonial administration in the late 16th century and remained under that rule until the end of the 19th century. In October 1944 Allied forces landed on the beaches near Tacloban, marking the beginning of the recapture of the Philippines during the Second World War.
Residents speak mainly Waray in the northern part and Cebuano in the southern area, which shapes local festivals and daily routines. In coastal villages you still see traditional wooden boats and stilted fishing houses along the shorelines.
The capital Tacloban offers the main airport in the region and several ferry ports connect the island to other parts of the Philippines. Most towns can be reached by bus or jeepney, and the San Juanico Bridge provides a direct road link to Samar.
Several geothermal power plants around Ormoc produce a large share of the country's energy from volcanic heat beneath the ground. The steam sources are sometimes visible from the road and the facilities rank among the largest of their kind in Southeast Asia.
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