Catarman, Provincial capital in Northern Samar, Philippines
Catarman is a municipality stretched across 55 barangays along the northern coast of Samar Island, with the Catarman River dividing it into eastern and western sections. The town center sits at the intersection of coastal and river landscapes that shape the area's geography.
The settlement was originally named Calatman and became one of 13 principal villages established by Spanish colonizers as they organized their administration on Samar Island. This colonial founding shaped the area's early development and structure.
The University of Eastern Philippines shapes the local academic life and draws students from across the province to study here. Its presence has made this place a center for higher learning in the region.
The local airport provides regular flight connections to major cities, while buses and ferries offer alternative ways to reach the area. Visitors can arrive by air or water transportation depending on their location and preferences.
The airport has an unusual feature where the main road crosses directly over the runway without an underpass separating them. This shared use of space between road and runway is a rare arrangement rarely seen elsewhere.
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