CALABARZON

Region IV-A
CALABARZON
—  Region  —

Seal
Map of the Philippines showing the location of Region IV-A
Country Philippines
Island group Luzon
Regional center Calamba City, Laguna
Area
 • Total 16,558 km2 (6,393.1 sq mi)
Population (2007)
 • Total 11,743,110
 • Density 709.2/km2 (1,836.8/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
Provinces 5
Cities 14
Municipalities 129
Barangays 4,011
Cong. districts 19
Languages Tagalog, English

CALABARZON is one of the regions of the Philippines. It is also designated as Region IV-A and its regional center is Calamba City in Laguna. The region is composed of five provinces, namely: CAvite, LAguna, BAtangas, Rizal, and QueZON; the region's name is formed from the names of these provinces.

The region is in southwestern Luzon, just south and east of Metro Manila and is the second most densely populated region.

CALABARZON and MIMAROPA were previously combined together as Southern Tagalog, until they were separated in 2002.

Executive Order No. 246, dated October 28, 2003, designated Calamba City as the regional center of CALABARZON. The largest city of CALABARZON Region and the second highly-urbanized city is Antipolo City. Lucena City is the first highly-urbanized city in this region. While the largest metropolis in the region is Laguna West Metropolitan.

Contents

History

Region IV-A had a very important role in the history of the Philippines. Philippine independence was held by the first Philippine President, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, on June 12, 1898.

People from Batangas, Cavite and Laguna were a part of those who first revolted against the Spaniards for freedom. While the Philippines' national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, his brother, Paciano Rizal and Vicente Lim are also born in Calamba City. Apolinario Mabini, born in Tanauan City, Batangas

The eight primary rays of the sun found in the Philippine Flag represent the first eight provinces (Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Tarlac) that sought independence from Spain and were placed under martial law by the Spaniards at the start of the Philippine Revolution in 1896.

Political divisions

Province/City Capital Population Area
(km²)
Pop. density
(per km²)
Cavite Trece Martires City 2,856,765 1,287.6 1,602.3
Laguna Santa Cruz 2,473,530 1,759.7 1,117.2
Batangas Batangas City 2,245,869 3,165.8 601.8
Rizal Antipolo City 1,650,075 1,308.9 1,304.3
Quezon Lucena City 1,646,510 8,842.86 186.20
Antipolo City¹ 633,971 306.10 2,071.12
Lucena City¹ 387,978 83.15 2,842

¹ Lucena City and Antipolo City are highly urbanized cities; figures are excluded from Quezon Province and Rizal Province.

Component cities

On August 7, 2000, the municipality of Los Baños, Laguna was declared as a "Special Science and Nature City of the Philippines" through Presidential Proclamation No. 349 in recognition of its importance as a center for science and technology, being home to many prestigious educational, environmental and research institutions. This proclamation does not convert the municipality to a city or give it corporate powers that are accorded to other cities.

Highly-Urbanized Cities

Governors

References