Legaspi or Legazpi [key], city (1990 pop. 121,116), capital of Albay prov., SE Luzon, the Philippines, on Albay Gulf. It is a large seaport and the southern terminus of the Manila railroad. Copra and hemp are shipped. Founded c.1639 as Albay, it was renamed in 1925 for Miguel López de Legazpi. In World War II it was the scene (Dec. 12, 1941) of a large Japanese landing, part of a pincers movement on Manila. Towering directly behind the city is the spectacular active volcano, Mt. Mayon. Its eruption in 1814 severely damaged the town and killed over 1,000 people.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Philippines Political Geography
