ALBAY, a municipality (with administrational center and 32 barrios or districts) and the capital of the province of Albay, Luzon, P.I., near an inlet on the west shore of the Gulf of Albay, about 200 m. by road S.E. of Manila. Pop. (1918) 52,756, of whom 25,992 were males and 115 whites of both sexes; literacy (based on ages from io years up, 1918) 62.9%. The district of Legaspi (merged with Albay in Oct. i9o7) is the port for the municipality. Albay is one of the most important municipalities in the Philippines. It lies on level ground near the south base of Mount Mayon, 7,5oo ft. high, and with the most perfect volcanic cone known, from which it is sheltered by the Linguin hills. Good motor roads connect it with all parts of the province and with Manila, and it has railway and steamboat connections with various places as well. It has no pronounced dry season but the climate is excellent. The surrounding country is one of the most impor tant abacd (Manila hemp) producing regions in the archipelago. Sinamay and pino/pog (sinamay with its fibres flattened by beat ing) are woven extensively and much abacd is shipped to Manila. Copra, sugar, rice, corn, sweet-potatoes and tobacco are among the other products of the region. In 1918 there were 21 manu facturing establishments of all kinds with a capital of 162,400 pesos and a total product valued at 24o,Soo pesos. The language is Bicol. Formally created in 1636, Albay had a population in 1649 of about 1,200, a church, a fortified house and part of a wall. In February 1815, an exceptionally violent eruption of the vol cano destroyed much of the site and of the 'nearby district, killing about 1,200 people; and the eruption of 18.97 also did some damage. In 'goo, Albay was partially destroyed by the insurgents, but in 19oi civil Government was established by the United States. Since then there has been considerable rebuilding under American direction and the municipality is steadily growing in importance. It has a high school and forty-three other schools of all kinds.