Tarlac

Tarlac is a landlocked province located in the Central Luzon region in the Philippines. It is bounded on the north by the province of Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija on the east, Zambales on the west and Pampanga in the south. The province is subdivided into 17 municipalities and one city, Tarlac City, which is the provincial capital. It also comprises three congressional districts.

The province is situated in the heartland of Luzon, in what is known as the Central Plain which comprises the provinces of Region III. Tarlac covers a total land area of 305,345 hectares (3,053.45 km²). It is approximately 125 kilometres (78 mi) northeast of Metro Manila.

Early in history, what came to be known as Tarlac today was once a thickly forested area, peopled by roving tribes of nomadic Aetas who are said to be the aboriginal settlers of the Philippines, and for a lengthy period, it was the remaining hinterland of the Central Plain of Luzon. Tarlac is the most multi-cultural of the provinces in the region for having a mixture of four distinct groups, the Pampangos, Ilocanos, Pangasinense and Tagalogs. It is also known for its fine food and vast sugar and rice plantations.

Tarlac City

Tarlac City, officially the City of Tarlac (Kapampangan: Ciudad ning Tarlac; Ilocano: Ciudad ti Tarlac, Filipino: Lungsod ng Tarlac), is a first class and capital city of the province of Tarlac in the Philippines. According to the 2010 census, Tarlac City has a population of 318,332 people.

The city was proclaimed as a Highly Urbanized City during the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, but the decision was opposed by the provincial government.

Geography

The city is situated at the center of the province. To its north is Gerona and Santa Ignacia, west is San Jose, south is Capas and Concepcion and eastern boundaries are Victoria and La Paz. This is also the location of Tarlac River.

Tarlac City is approximately 24 metres (79 ft) above sea level on some parts but reaching even 50 metres (160 ft) on large western portions. Tarlac City was historically a part of what is now Porac, Pampanga. Parts of Tarlac city are claimed to be among the few portions of land in the province which was not created by ancient eruptions from Mount Pinatubo.