VIGA

Viga is a term with several distinct uses in language and geography. In Iberian languages, viga is a common noun for a structural element, while as a proper noun it appears in place names and surnames.

In architecture and construction, a viga is a beam or girder that spans between supports and carries loads. Vigás may be made of wood, steel, or reinforced concrete and are used in floors, ceilings, roofs, and bridges. The term is widely found in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking contexts and often appears in technical and historical descriptions of buildings and infrastructure.

Geographically, Viga refers to a municipality in the Philippines. Viga, Catanduanes is located on Catanduanes Island in the Bicol Region. The municipality comprises multiple barangays and is governed by a local mayor and municipal council. Its economy has traditionally centered on agriculture and fishing, complemented by small-scale commerce and services.

As a surname, Viga is used in Spanish-speaking populations and may be found among individuals in various countries. The name can appear in historical records, genealogies, and contemporary contexts.

Etymologically, viga derives from the Latin vīcus or viga, conveying the sense of a rod or beam, and was adopted into Iberian languages to describe structural elements in construction. The term also appears in related architectural vocabularies and standard technical usage.