The Philippine province of Pampanga in located in Central Luzon. It has a small land area of about 2,203 square kilometers, which forms part of the central plain extending from Manila Bay north to the Gulf of Lingayen.
Geographically, Pampanga consists of three subsections.
The first is the mountainous section which includes the entire stretch of the Zambales range (of which Mount Pinatubo is the highest peak) on the western border and Mount Arayat at the northeastern part. This area is inhabited mostly by the Aeta who depend primarily on hunting, gathering, and raising corn on the slopes for subsistence.
The second section, located in the southwestern and southern parts of the province, is bounded by the Pampanga River (Rio Grande de la Pampanga) and its estuaries. This river, the largest body of water in the province, flows south through the eastern portions of the province into Manila Bay. Between its eastern bank and the Bulacan boundary is the Candaba swamp which becomes a large lake during the rainy season. This section provides livelihood to many Pampango who have established a fishing industry in the area.
The third section covers the flatlands of the Central Luzon plains that have been utilized for rice and sugar growing. It represents the bulk of the province’s landmass and is considered the biggest source of livelihood for its people.
Pampanga is largely agricultural and the major changes occurring in Pampango society can be linked to the changes in the agricultural pattern. The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, whose ashfall covered most of the agricultural land of Pampanga, has changed the topography and the economic profile of the province.
KAHULUGAN SA TAGALOG
Pampanga: lalawigan sa Gitnang Luzon ng Filipinas, Rehiyon III
Sinasabing ang Pampanga ang “Culinary Capital of the Philippines” kaya’t paborito itong destinasyon ng marami. Unti-unti ring nakikilala ang mga dakilang chef na may dugong Kapampangan gaya nina Chef Claude Tayag at Chef Sau Del Rosario.
