Pampanga (PSGC: 035400000; ISO: PH-PAM) is a province of the Philippines located in the Central

       Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces

     of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast.

     Pampanga also lies on the northern shore of Manila Bay.

               The name "La Pampanga" was given by the Spaniards who found the early natives living near the

     river banks. It also served as the capital of the archipelago for two years from 1762-1764 during the British

     invasion of Manila. However, history shows evidence of the province of Pampanga itself being a descendant of what was known back then as the Kingdom of Tondo, or the Luzon Empire. The word pampang, from which

the province's name originates, means river bank. Its creation in 1571 makes it the first Spanish province in the

Philippines. The Province of Pampanga is the culinary capital of the Philippines.

               Pampanga is served by the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, which is located at Clark

Freeport Zone in Angeles City, some 16 kilometers north of the provincial capital.