This article is about the province of Cavite. For information about Cavite City, see Cavite City.
Cavite is a province of the Philippines located on the southern shores of Manila Bay in the Calabarzon region in Luzon, just 30 kilometers south of Manila. Its capital is the city of Trece Martires. Cavite is surrounded by the provinces of Laguna to the east and Batangas to the south. To the west lies the South China Sea.

People and culture
Cavite has a total population of 2,063,161 within an area of 1,297.6 square kilometers. It has the largest population in the CALABARZON area. The tremendous increase can be observed in the year 1990 when industrialization was introduced in the province. Investors established their businesses in different industrial estates that magnetized people to migrate to Cavite due to job opportunities the province offers. Another factor attributed to the increase of population is the mushrooming of housing subdivisions. Since Cavite is proximate to Metro Manila, people working in the metropolitan area choose to live in the province together with their families. Natural increase also contributes to the increase in population.
Among the cities and municipalities in Cavite, the municipality of Dasmariñas has the biggest population with 379,520 persons while the municipality of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo has registered the smallest population with 14,343 persons.
Cavite is a highly urbanized growth center of the country. It is classified as predominantly urban having 90.69 percent or 1,871,245 of the population are concentrated in the urban areas, while 9.21 percent or 191,916 of the population reside in rural areas.
In year 2000, urban population increased which can be attributed to in-migration due to expansion of residential areas as well as influx of commercial establishments, services and facilities.

Population
The main languages spoken are Tagalog, Chabacano and English. Chabacano, sometimes spelled as Chavacano, is the dialect mostly spoken by majority of the Caviteños that lived in Cavite City and Ternate, whose origin has begun during the arrival of the first Spaniards three centuries ago. Today very few Caviteños speak the Chabacano dialect and perhaps it will come to cease of its existence or completely dissapppear in the near future.
Due to Cavite's proximity to Manila a large number of people have moved from farther provinces, resulting in a not insignificant usage of Bikol, Cebuano, and Ilokano.

Languages
In line with national statistics, the majority (80%) of the population are Roman Catholic while adherents of the Aglipayan Church account for 11% and the Iglesia ni Cristo account for 4% of the population. Other Christian sects and Muslims comprise the remainder.

Religion
Cavite is one of the fastest growing provinces in the country due to its close proximity to Metro Manila. Many companies, such as Intel, have established manufacturing plants in numerous industrial parks in the province.
It has indeed transformed into an industrial and commercial hub not only in CALABARZON but in the whole country as well. As of 2003, there are thirty-one (31) industrial estates in the province. A total of 973 investors have poured their investments in the 718 existing industrial establishments. Most of the investors have established partnership with their Filipino counterparts in varying levels of equity participation.
Since the 1990s when the provincial government launched the Second Revolution with industrialization as one of its priority thrusts, Cavite has become a preferred destination of both local and foreign investors. The provinces proximity to Metro Manila has also contributed to the advent of commercial establishments, taking advantage of the rapid urbanization happening provincewide. Agglomeration of such establishments has indeed transformed Cavite into an industrial and commercial hub not only in CALABARZON but in the whole country as well.
Four SM Supermalls and three Robinsons malls are located in Cavite. These are the SM City Bacoor, SM City Dasmariñas, SM Supercenter Molino, soon to rise SM Tagaytay(2009), Robinsons Place Imus, Robinsons Place Dasmariñas & soon to rise Robinsons Place Tagaytay(2007).

Economy
A number of events related to the Philippine Revolution took place in Cavite. Considered as the birthplace of the Philippines, Imus in Cavite was the site of the first successful revolution. Honoring this event is the Imus Historical Marker. The province is also the birthplace of Philippine heroes such as General Emilio Aguinaldo.
The main attractions in Cavite are the Island Cove and Leisure Park and several first class resorts.
The Aguinaldo Shrine and Museum in Kawit is where the independence of the Philippines was proclaimed on June 12 1898 by General Aguinaldo, the Philippines' first president.
The Andres Bonifacio House in [[General Trias is the former home of the country's revolutionary leader The site of his court martial in Maragondon is also preserved. Other historical sites include the Battle of Alapan and Battle of Julian Bridge Markers, the House of Tirona, and Fort San Felipe.
The main churches of the province are the Imus Cathedral, Silang, General Trias and Maragondon Catholic Churches. The Shrines of Our Lady of La Salette in Silang, and St. Anne, Tagaytay, also attract pilgrims.
Natural attractions include Balite and Malibedibic Falls as well as the Cabag Caves.
Corregidor is an island fortress where Filipino-American forces fought against the Japanese invaders in 1942. It has become a tourist attraction with tunnels, cannons and other war structures still well-preserved. The famous line of General Douglas McArthur said is associated with Corregidor: "I shall return!"
There are first class hotels, inns and lodging houses to accommodate both foreign and local tourists. Conference facilities can be found in several convention centers, hotels and resorts in the province. Restaurants and specialty dining places offer mushroom dishes, native delicacies and exotic cuisines. Seafoods, fruits, coffee, organic vegetables, tinapa, handicrafts, ornamental plants also abound in the province.
There are twenty-two (22) accredited tourism establishments and three (3) accredited tour guides. There are also tour packages being arranged with the Department of Tourism. Centuries old traditions and the very rich culture of Cavite have been the source of great pride to Caviteños.
Cavite is a historic, picturesque and scenic province providing a place conducive to both business and leisure. Tagaytay City serves as the main tourist center. Historical attraction and sites are Fort San Felipe and Sangley Point, both in Cavite City; Corregidor Island; General Trias; Calero Bridge, Noveleta; Battle of Alapan Marker and Flag in Imus; Zapote Bridge in Bacoor; Battle of Binakayan Monument in Kawit; Tejeros Convention Site in Rosario; and Aguinaldo Shrine, the site of the declaration of Philippine Independence in Kawit. Several old churches stand as glorious reminders of how the Catholic faith has blossomed in the Province of Cavite . Existing museums include Geronimo de los Reyes Museum , General Trias; Museo De La Salle, Dasmariñas; Philippine Navy Museum, Cavite City ; Baldomero Aguinaldo Museum , Kawit; and Cavite City Library Museum , Cavite City . There are eight (8) world-class golf courses in the province. Natural wonders are mostly found in the upland areas such as Tagaytay Ridge, Macabag Cave in Maragondon, Balite Falls in Amadeo, Malibiclibic Falls in General Aguinaldo-Magallanes Boarder, Mts. Palay-Palay and Mataas na Gulod National Park in Ternate and Maragondon, Sitio Buhay Unclassified Forest in Magallanes and flowers, vegetables and coffee farms.

Tourism
Cavite is strategically located at the intermediate zone of the metropolitan Manila area. The urban influence of the metropolis together with easy accessibility, adequate infrastructure and fresh natural setting makes the picturesque province an ideal refuge.

Geography
Cavite is subdivided into 20 municipalities and 3 cities.

Political Divisions
Land. Cavite is the smallest province in the CALABARZON region, having an area of 1,297.6 km². It lies on the southern shores of Manila Bay and includes most of the islands in the bay such as Corregidor. Other islands include Caballo Island, Carabao Island, and El Praile Island.
Most of the province is flat and gradually rises in altitude going southwards towards the Tagaytay Ridge, which overlooks the Taal Lake in Batangas. Tagaytay City is located on this ridge and provides one of the best views of Taal Volcano. The ridge is also the province's highest point at 640 meters above sea level. To the southwest of the province rises the Maragondon Mountains.
The shores of Cavite are relatively straight. Cavite City lies on a peninsula jutting into Manila Bay. Towards the southwest, the shoreline features numerous bays and cliffs especially in the municipalities of Ternate and Maragondon.
The province is cut by five major rivers: Maragondon, Labac, Cañas, Ilang-Ilang and Imus, all emptying into Manila Bay.
Climate. Cavite has two pronounced seasons—the dry season, which begins in November and ends in April, and the rainy season, which starts in May and ends in October. The coolest months are January and February while the hottest months are April and May.

Physical
Cavite is named as the "Historical Capital of the Philippines." It is the cradle of Philippine Revolution, and the birthplace of Philippine Independence.
Cavite got its name comes from a Filipino world "Kawit" (which means "Hook.") owing to the hook-shaped land on the Old Spanish map. The land was formerly known as "Tangway" where Spanish authorities contructed a fort from which the city of Cavite rose. Archeological evidence in coastal areas shows prehistorical settlements. According to local folklore, the earliest settlers of Cavite came from Borneo. In the 1600s, encomiendas or Spanish Royal land grants were given in Cavite and Marsgondon. Jesuit priests brought in settlers from Mollucas. These settlers, known as "Mardicas," settled in Ternate and Maragondon.
Other settlements grew and by the turn of the century, Cavite towns were already trading with one another. Traditional industries began to thrive as Manila's commerce grew. In 1872, Filipinos launched its revolt againts Spain. Three Filipino priests--Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez,and Jacinto Zamora--were implicated in the Cavite mutiny when 200 Filipinos staged a rebellion within Spanish garrisons. In 28 August 1896, when the revolution against Spain broke out, Cavite became a became a bloody theater of war. Led by Emilio Aguinaldo, Caviteños made lightning raids on Spanish headquarters, and soon liberated the entire province. Aguinaldo commanded the Revolution to its successful end:the proclamation of the first Republic in Asia, the Republic of the Philippines, on 12 June 1898 in Kawit.
Cavite proudly stands as a place with a glorious past. Its warm and friendly people, whose ancestors came down with a noble cause, manifest industry and patience in various skills and professions, openly receptive to the entry and exchange of culture and technology that are of value to the province.

History
Many sources state that Imus is the capital of Cavite, (e.g.: the Cavite Provincial Government website) and that Trece Martires City is only the Seat of Government.
This distinction has been in effect since Erineo Maliksi became the governor of the province. Maliksi used to be the mayor of Imus for three terms and even became a representative of the province's second district prior to being elected as governor.
However, most accounts and sources outside the province -- especially those connected to the Philippine government -- consider Trece Martires City as the official capital of Cavite. The Cavite Province Capital building is located in Trece Martires.

Trece Martires City or Imus: Capital of Cavite?
1st District: Cesario Del Rosario Jr., Luis Pagtakhan & Restituto Enriquez 2nd District: Alex Advincula, Arleen Arayata, Recto Cantimbuhan & Raymundo Del Rosario 3rd District: Eileen Beratio, Virgilio Ambion & Lope Tepora
Elected Representatives as of July 1st, 2007 1st District: Joseph Emilio Abaya 2nd District: Elpidio Barzaga Jr. 3rd district: Juanito Crispin Remulla
Governor: Erineo Maliksi
Vice Governor: Dencito Campaña
Board Members: Current Officials (2007-2010)

Kaye Abad - An actress. She is a member of ABS-CBN's elite circle of homegrown talents properly named Star Magic.
Emilio Aguinaldo - was the 1st President of the Republic of the Philippines and a native of Cavite El Viejo (Kawit), Cavite. Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy (March 22, 1869 – February 6, 1964) was a Filipino general, politician, and independence leader. He played an instrumental role in Philippine independence during the Philippine Revolution against Spain and the Philippine-American War that resisted American occupation.In the Philippines, Aguinaldo is considered to be the country's first and the youngest Philippine President,though his government failed to obtain any foreign recognition.
Christian Bautista - is a multi-awarded recording artist and singing sensation in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. He was a finalist of the Philippine reality show Star in a Million shown on ABS-CBN.
Dr. Paulo C. Campos - Dr. Campos, who took his Doctor of Medicine at the University of the Philippines in 1946, is a national scientist. Through his efforts, the first and the best known Radioisotope Laboratory in the Philippines, and the thyroid Clinic of UP-PGH Medical Center were established. He also established the Comprehensive Community Health Program and facilities of the University of the Philippines which became a local and international model. An Academian, Dr. Campos topped the first Medical Board Examination after World War II and later took Post Graduate courses in John Hopkins School of Medicine from 1952-1953 and Harvard School of Medicine, 1952 and 1958. He also attended Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies in 1958 and had been to several International Seminars and conferences. He is also the President of the university Physicians' Services Inc., and the founder of the Emilio Aguinaldo College. Dr. Campos was born on July 27, 1921 in Dasmariñas, Cavite.
Felipe Calderón y Roca - a national hero. He was a Filipino politician and intellectual known as the Father of the Philippine Constitution.
Panfilo Lacson - is a retired Director-General of the Philippine National Police, and is currently a member of the Philippine Senate.
Justiniano S. Montano - was a Filipino politician who was elected for one term to the Philippine Senate and for multiple terms as a member of the House of Representatives.
Mars Ravelo - was one of the most successful Filipino graphic novelists. He created Filipino classics like Darna, Dyesebel, Captain Barbell, Lastikman, Bondying, Varga, Wanted: Perfect Mother, Hiwaga, Maruja, Mariposa, Roberta, Rita, Buhay Pilipino, Jack and Jill, Flash Bomba, Tiny Tony, and Dragonna among others.
Ramon Revilla, Jr. - popularly known as Bong Revilla is a Filipino actor, politician and Senator of the Republic of the Philippines. Revilla is known for his lead roles in numerous action movies during the 1980s and the 1990s. He also starred in a few movies alongside his father, Ramon Revilla. Recently, he has been involved in a number of comedy related movies and TV shows in GMA-7.
Soxy Topacio - a film director.
Jasmine Trias - a Filipino-American singer and entertainer who was the third-place finalist on the third season of American Idol.
Epimaco Velasco - Born in Tanza, Cavite. He was a DILG Secretary,Governor and National Bureau of Investigation(Philippines) from 1992,1995.
Cesar Virata - Former Prime Minister of the Philippines from 1981-1986 under the Interim Batasang Pambansa and the Regular Batasang Pambansa.