Legazpi

Legazpi is the capital city of Albay province in the Bicol Region of the Philippines. It is located on the southern shore of the Albay Gulf, at the foot of Mayon Volcano, about 500 kilometers southeast of Manila. The city serves as the administrative, economic, and transport hub of the province, with a mix of commercial districts, residential areas, and coastal communities.

The area was settled during the Spanish colonial period and was named after the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi. It began as a municipality and was chartered as a city in 1959. Mayon Volcano has shaped the region’s history and landscape, with eruptions historically affecting nearby communities, including the destruction of the Cagsawa Church during the 1814 eruption.

Legazpi’s economy centers on services, commerce, fishing, and tourism. The city is connected by the Pan-Philippine Highway and is served by the nearby Bicol International Airport in Daraga, providing access to air travel for the region. Legazpi Port supports coastal shipping and trade. The area hosts educational institutions such as campuses of Bicol University, contributing to a regional student population.

Cultural and natural attractions mark the city, including the Cagsawa Ruins, Kapuntukan Hill, and the annual Magayon Festival celebrating the region’s culture and Mayon’s prominence. Legazpi’s mild climate, access to volcanic landscapes, and gateway status to the Bicol region make it a central urban center in southeastern Luzon.