Pampanga

Pampanga (PSGC: 035400000; ISO: PH-PAM; Kapampangan: Lalawigan ning Pampanga; Filipino: Lalawigan ng Pampanga) 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. Angeles City, although within the geography of Pampanga, is classified as a first-class, highly urbanized city and has a government independent of Pampanga.

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. 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.

The province is home to two Philippine Air Force air bases, Basa Air Base in Floridabalanca, and the former U.S. Clark Air Base in Angeles City.