Leyte

Island of the Visayan group in the Philippines; area 7,213 sq km/2,785 sq mi; population (2000) 1,592,300. Leyte is a detached peninsula of Samar Island, from which it is separated by the strait of San Juanico; they are connected by a road bridge built in 1973. The island has high cliffs and natural harbours. The central spine is mountainous, and the mineral wealth includes manganese, iron ore, sulphur, and oil. Abaca (hemp), sugar, timber, cotton, rice, and coconut oil are produced. The main town and port is Tacloban, through which products are exported, the most important being copra.

Leyte is the eighth-largest island of the Philippines, and was of great strategic importance in the Pacific campaign during World War II (see Leyte Gulf, Battle of the), as it possessed eight airfields. The island was occupied by the Japanese in 1941 and recaptured by US forces in 1944.

Leyte

Province of northern Leyte Island in the Philippines; area 6,268 sq km/2,420 sq mi; population (1995) 1,643,000. The capital is Tacloban. The main export is coconuts. Geothermal energy is being developed here.

In 1991 typhoon Uring struck the province causing mudslides. 5,000 people were killed and 50,000 made homeless near the town of Ormoc.