Capiz

Capiz
Nickname: 
Seafood Capital of the Philippines
Anthem: O, Capiz
Location in the Philippines
OpenStreetMap
Coordinates: 11°23′N 122°38′E / 11.38°N 122.63°E / 11.38; 122.63
CountryPhilippines
RegionWestern Visayas
Spanish Settlement1566
Encomienda1569
Politico-Military Province1716
FoundedApril 15, 1901
Capital
and largest city
Roxas
Government
  GovernorFredenil H. Castro (Lakas-CMD)
  Vice GovernorJames "Mitang" O. Magbanua (Lakas-CMD)
  LegislatureCapiz Provincial Board
Area
  Total
2,594.64 km2 (1,001.80 sq mi)
  Rank52nd out of 81
Highest elevation2,074 m (6,804 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)
  Total
804,952
  Rank38th out of 81
  Density310/km2 (800/sq mi)
   Rank25th out of 81
DemonymCapiznon/Capizeño
Divisions
  Independent cities0
  Component cities
1
  Municipalities
  Barangays473
  DistrictsLegislative districts of Capiz
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
IDD:area code+63(0)36
ISO 3166 codePH-CAP
HDI 0.650 (Medium)
HDI rank32nd in Philippines (2019)
Spoken languages
GDP (2022)74.38 billion
$1.268 billion
Growth rate 8.8%
Websitecapiz.gov.ph

Capiz ([kɑˈpiz]), officially the Province of Capiz (Capiznon/Hiligaynon: Kapuoran sang Capiz; Tagalog: Lalawigan ng Capiz), is a province in the central part of the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Capiz is located at the northeastern portion of Panay Island, bordering three other provinces, Aklan to the north, Antique to the west, and Iloilo to the south. Capiz faces the Sibuyan Sea to the north. The capital city is Roxas, which is also the most populous city.

Capiz is known for the Placuna placenta oyster shell that has the same name locally and is used for decoration and making lampshades, trays, doors and capiz-shell windows. Likewise, the province is known as the "Seafood Capital of the Philippines" and was among the top 15 most frequently visited places in the Philippines. Capiz is the site of the famous coral-stone Santa Mónica Church in the town of Panay, home to the largest Catholic Church bell in Asia. The bell was made from 70 sacks of gold and silver coins donated by the townsfolk. Measuring seven feet in diameter, five feet in height and weighing 10,400 kilograms or just over 10 metric tons, the Panay bell is popular among tourists visiting Capiz.