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Western Visayas

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Western Visayas is a special region in the Philippines.

Ph western visayas
Ph western visayas

It is made up of the large island of Panay and the smaller island of Guimaras. You can also find many smaller islands nearby. To the north lies the Sibuyan Sea. To the west is the Sulu Sea. The Visayan Sea sits to the northeast. The Iloilo Strait and Panay Gulf are to the south.

This region has five main provinces. They are Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras. Iloilo City is the largest city in the area. It also serves as the main regional center.

R. Mapa Street, Iloilo City (01-2019)
R. Mapa Street, Iloilo City (01-2019)

The region is home to many different languages. People speak Hiligaynon to talk to each other most often. Other native languages include Kinaray-a, Aklanon, and Capiznon. Some groups also speak Inati, Malaynon, or Caluyanon.

Western Visayas Language Map
Western Visayas Language Map

History shows how the region has changed over time. It first began on September 24, 1972. A law called Presidential Decree No. 1 created it. At first, Negros Occidental was part of the region. Later, Negros Occidental was moved away to form a new region. It came back to Western Visayas for a few years. However, it left again in June 2024. This happened when the Negros Island Region was made again.

Official Seal of Antique
Official Seal of Antique

There are many amazing things to see here. Boracay Island is famous for its white sand beaches.

Boracay White Beach Station 1 3 (Malay, Aklan; 04-06-2024)
Boracay White Beach Station 1 3 (Malay, Aklan; 04-06-2024)

The Miag-ao Church is a very special historic site. You can also find the Gigantes Islands with limestone cliffs. Guimaras is known for having very sweet mangoes. In Capiz, the Panay Church has a huge bell. Mount Madja-as in Antique is the highest mountain around.

Seal of Capiz
Seal of Capiz

Moving around the region is easy with many choices. People use jeepneys, taxis, and tricycles to get around.

Iloilo Diversion Bridge Mandurriao top view (Iloilo City; 04-03-2024)
Iloilo Diversion Bridge Mandurriao top view (Iloilo City; 04-03-2024)

You can also take buses or vans between cities. For long trips, there are many ports for ships.

Iloilo City container port (cropped)
Iloilo City container port (cropped)

The region also has two international airports. One is Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan. The other is Kalibo International Airport in Aklan. These help people travel from far away.

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🖼️ Images & Media (18)
File:Western Visayas (DIWATA I Microsatellite) w Borders n.png
Western Visayas (DIWATA I Microsatellite)...
File:Climate of Western Visayas NOCC excluded.png
Climate of Western Visayas NOCC excluded.png
File:Ph western visayas.png
Ph western visayas.png
File:Seal of Aklan.png
Seal of Aklan.png
File:Gov Miraflores.png
Gov Miraflores.png
File:Official Seal of Antique.svg
Official Seal of Antique.svg
File:Seal of Capiz.png
Seal of Capiz.png
File:Gov Castro.png
Gov Castro.png
File:Ph seal guimaras.png
Ph seal guimaras.png
File:Rep. Ma. Lucille Nava (19th Congress).jpg
Rep. Ma. Lucille Nava (19th Congress).jpg
File:Iloilo Provincial Seal.png
Iloilo Provincial Seal.png
File:Arthur Defensor Jr. (cropped).jpg
Arthur Defensor Jr. (cropped).jpg

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