Batangas is a province of the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region (Region IV-A) of Luzon. The province covers roughly 3,165.81 square kilometers and is composed of 29 municipalities, 5 cities, and 1,078 barangays. The capital of the province is Batangas City. The name 'Batangas' comes from the Tagalog word 'batang,' referring to logs or rafts, inspired by the abundance of floating logs observed in the Calumpang River during early Spanish times.

History

Batangas is one of the earliest settlements in the Philippines. Before Spanish colonization, the province was home to advanced Tagalog communities engaged in farming, fishing, and trade with Chinese, Japanese, and other Asian merchants. In 1572, Spanish forces established control, making Batangas one of the first organized provinces under Spain. Its people resisted colonization and played key roles in the Philippine Revolution of 1896. During the American period, Batangas was modernized but also saw conflict during World War II, where resistance fighters engaged in guerrilla warfare against the Japanese. Today, Batangas is noted for its cultural contributions such as the Barong Tagalog, balisong (Batangas knife), and strong Catholic devotion.