Allen, Northern Samar
| Allen | |
|---|---|
| Municipality | |
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 Map of Northern Samar showing the location of Allen |
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.svg)
 Allen
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| Coordinates: 12°30′N 124°17′E / 12.500°N 124.283°ECoordinates: 12°30′N 124°17′E / 12.500°N 124.283°E | |
| Country |
 Philippines
|
| Region | Eastern Visayas (Region VIII) |
| Province | Northern Samar |
| Founded | December 8, 1863 |
| Barangays | 20 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Laureana Suan |
| • Vice-Mayor | Arturo Jr. Dubongco |
| Area | |
| • Total | 47.60 km2 (18.38 sq mi) |
| Population (2015) | |
| • Total | 25,469 |
| Demonym(s) | Allenian |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+8) |
| ZIP code | 6405 |
| Dialing code | 55 |
| Income class | 4th |
Allen is a fourth class municipality located in the north western tip of the province of Northern Samar, the northern province among the three provinces comprising Samar Island. The island of Samar is located in the central eastern portion of the Philippines, in the group of central islands known as the Visayas.
According to the 2015 census, Allen has a population of 25,469. The town borders the municipality of Victoria to the south, the municipality of Lavezares to the east, and the strategic San Bernardino Strait both to the north and west.
Allen is known for being an important port for inter-island transport, specifically between the island of Samar and big island of Luzon.
Before the Spanish colonisation of the Philippines, the original Malayan name of the town was Minapa-a. During the Spanish colonisation period, the name of the town was changed to La Granja. The name Allen was given by the Americans in honor of the American General Robert Allen, the military governor of the Visayas after the victory of the Americans over the Spaniards in the Spanish–American War.
Allen is politically subdivided into 23 barangays.
The area of present-day Allen was originally populated by natives of Malay stock from the western and central portions of the island of Samar, particularly Catbalogan and Calbayog. Successive migrations to Allen from other islands that are near Allen were characterised by several waves. Malays from the neighbouring Bicol Peninsula in what is now Sorsogon crossed what is now the San Bernardino Strait using small sailing barges, trading with the locals before settling in, and inter-marrying with the local Malays many years after. Simultaneously, Malays of southern stock from Bohol through the islands of Capul and San Antonio crossed the strait and settled in the area.
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Wikipedia