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Caloocan

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Caloocan is a large and busy city in Metro Manila, Philippines.

Philippine Island - Luzon Island - NARA - 68156741
Philippine Island - Luzon Island - NARA - 68156741

It is the fourth-most populous city in the whole country. In 2024, about 1,712,945 people lived there. The city is part of a group of cities called the CAMANAVA area. This group includes Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela. Caloocan is split into two different geographical areas. This split happened because of a change in 1949. This change gave land to Quezon City.

Territorial changes of Caloocan
Territorial changes of Caloocan

The city works as a major center for business and living. South Caloocan is very urbanized and full of activity. It sits near Manila, Quezon City, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela. This southern part has many commercial and industrial areas. North Caloocan is different from the south. It has many residential subdivisions and resettlement areas. You can find industrial estates near road transit points.

4th Avenue (Caloocan) 8May2025
4th Avenue (Caloocan) 8May2025

It also borders cities in the province of Bulacan. These include Marilao, Meycauayan, and San Jose del Monte.

Caloocan has a very old story. The name might come from Tagalog words for "bay" and "corner."

Topo Map Caloocan South
Topo Map Caloocan South

Long ago, it was a place where the towns of Tondo and Tambobong met. People lived along the shores of a lagoon called Dagat-dagatan. They called the settlement Aromahan. By 1802, people moved to a stony hill called Kaloogan. This area became the new center for the community. Caloocan became its own municipality in 1815. It was once part of the Province of Rizal.

History shows that Caloocan was a very important place during revolutions. It was the center for the Katipunan. This was a secret group that fought against the Spanish Empire. Leaders like Andrés Bonifacio held secret meetings in houses there. The first armed fight happened near the city edges.

20th Kansas Volunteers marching through Caloocan at night
20th Kansas Volunteers marching through Caloocan at night

Later, the city saw fighting during the Philippine-American War. In 1899, local troops fought against American invaders. The city has changed many times since those days. It officially became a city on February 16, 1962.

Today, Caloocan is a place of movement and shopping. You can see many people using the LRT Line 1 train.

LRT-1 4th gen approaching Monumento station 02
LRT-1 4th gen approaching Monumento station 02

Large shopping malls are also part of daily life.

SM Caloocan Day Picture
SM Caloocan Day Picture

These malls and markets make the city feel very lively.

Malansing (Sangandaan) Market, Caloocan, Jun 2024
Malansing (Sangandaan) Market, Caloocan, Jun 2024

The city connects many different parts of the region. It is a place where history and modern life meet. It remains a vital part of the Metro Manila area.

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🖼️ Images & Media (16)
Himno ng Kalookan.mp3
File:20th Kansas Volunteers marching through Caloocan at night.jpg
20th Kansas Volunteers marching through...
File:Philippine Island - Luzon Island - NARA - 68156741.jpg
Philippine Island - Luzon Island - NARA -...
File:Aacaloocanjf.JPG
Aacaloocanjf.JPG
File:Territorial changes of Caloocan.png
Territorial changes of Caloocan.png
File:Topo Map Caloocan South.png
Topo Map Caloocan South.png
File:4th Avenue (Caloocan) 8May2025.jpg
4th Avenue (Caloocan) 8May2025.jpg
File:Malansing (Sangandaan) Market, Caloocan, Jun 2024.jpg
Malansing (Sangandaan) Market, Caloocan,...
File:999 Shopping Mall Caloocan, May 2023.jpg
999 Shopping Mall Caloocan, May 2023.jpg
File:SM Caloocan Day Picture.jpg
SM Caloocan Day Picture.jpg
File:NLEx Balintawak Barrier.JPG
NLEx Balintawak Barrier.JPG
File:EDSA Monumento.jpg
EDSA Monumento.jpg

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