Pampanga is a province located in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. It is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast. To the south of Pampanga is the Manila Bay.

Pampanga is known for its rich culinary heritage and is often referred to as the "Culinary Capital of the Philippines." The province is famous for its local dishes such as sisig, a spicy and tangy dish made from parts of pig head and liver, usually seasoned with calamansi and chili peppers; and morcon, a Filipino-style meat roll stuffed with sausage or hotdogs, carrots, pickles, cheese, and egg.

The capital city of Pampanga is San Fernando, which is also known for the annual Giant Lantern Festival (Ligligan Parul) held in December. This festival features large, elaborate lanterns (parols), which are a traditional Filipino Christmas decoration.

Pampanga also has historical significance. It was one of the eight provinces that first revolted against Spanish rule in the late 19th century, which is commemorated by a sun with eight rays on the Philippine flag. The province played a role during the Philippine-American War and was also significant during World War II, particularly Clark Air Base, which was operated by the United States until 1991 and is now an international airport and a freeport zone.

Geographically, the province is situated on the northern shore of Manila Bay and is part of the Central Luzon plain, meaning it is predominantly flat with some areas subject to flooding. Mt. Arayat, an extinct volcano, is one of the few notable elevations in the otherwise flat terrain.

Pampanga was greatly affected by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, one of the largest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century. The eruption caused significant economic and infrastructural damage, but the province has since recovered and continued to prosper.

Today, Pampanga continues to develop both as a cultural and economic center, with industries ranging from agriculture to manufacturing and services, as well as a growing tourism sector that capitalizes on its culinary offerings, festivals, and historical sites.