 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2014) |
 Location within the Philippines | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 12°00′N 125°00′E / 12.000°N 125.000°E |
| Archipelago | Visayas |
| Adjacent to | |
| Area | 13,428.8 km2 (5,184.9 sq mi)[1] |
| Area rank | 63rd |
| Coastline | 800.6 km (497.47 mi)[2] |
| Highest elevation | 890 m (2920 ft) |
| Highest point | Mount Huraw |
| Administration | |
| Region | Eastern Visayas |
| Provinces | |
| Largest settlement | Calbayog (pop. 186,960) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 1,909,537 (2020)[3] |
| Pop. density | 140/km2 (360/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Visayans (Waray-Waray) |
Samar (/ˈsɑːmɑːr/ SAH-mar) is the third-largest and seventh-most populous island in the Philippines, with a total population of 1,909,537 as of the 2020 census. It is located in the eastern Visayas, which are in the central Philippines. The island is divided into three provinces: Samar (formerly Western Samar), Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar. These three provinces, along with the provinces on the nearby islands of Leyte and Biliran, are part of the Eastern Visayas region.
About a third of the island of Samar is protected as a natural park, known as the Samar Island Natural Park.
Many names, such as Samal, Ibabao, and Tandaya, were given to the island prior to the arrival of the Spaniards in 1596. During the early days of Spanish occupation, Samar was under the jurisdiction of Cebu. It later became part of Leyte in 1735 until its separation to become a distinct province named Samar in 1768. On June 19, 1965, through Republic Act No. 4221, Samar was divided into three provinces: Northern Samar, (Western) Samar and Eastern Samar. The capitals of these provinces are, respectively, Catarman, Catbalogan, and Borongan.[4] In commemoration of the establishment of these provinces, June 19 is celebrated as an annual holiday and many have the day off from work.
- ^ "2010 Philippine Yearbook" (PDF). Philippine Yearbook (23rd ed.). Manila, Philippines: National Statistics Office. ISSN 0116-1520. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
- ^ "Islands of Philippines". Island Directory. United Nations Environment Programme. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
- ^ Census of Population (2015). Highlights of the Philippine Population 2015 Census of Population. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ^ "PHILIPPINE LAWS, STATUTES AND CODES - CHAN ROBLES VIRTUAL LAW LIBRARY". Ronald Echalas Diaz, Chan Robles & Associates Law Firm.