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• In the 13th century, Capul Island was reputed settled by the followers of King Abak who had traveled from their land in the East Indies, seeking an escape from the spread of Islam. 
• The Spanish Jesuits established a presence in Capul since the late 16th century and it became an important supply base for the galleon trade. 
• The Jesuits also established the Spiritus Sancti Residence in Palapag among the Ibabao populace on October 15, 1596.  They stayed until 1768 when they were expelled from the country and replaced by the Franciscans. 
• Palapag was the site of the first organized Philippine rebellion, the Sumuroy rebellion of 1649-1650, led by Juan Ponce Sumuroy and Pedro Caamaug who protested the imposition by Spanish Gov.-Gen. Diego Fajardo Chacon of forced labor for building the Cavite Arsenal.   On June 1, 1649, they killed the parish priest and sacked the town.  Lasting over a year, the revolt spread across Samar to Bicol while reaching as far south as Mindanao.  On July 1650, his fort was assaulted and Sumuroy was captured and executed.
• Palapag was also established as a royal port where richly laden Manila galleons where protected from troubled seas and unfavorable winds. 
• Capul was the capital of Samar from 1848 to 1852. 
• In 1898, during the Philippine-American War, the American army landed in Catarman where the army under Gen. Vicente Lukban harassed the invaders through guerilla warfare. 
• Gen. Lukban was captured in Catubig on February 18, 1902.
• During World War II, an intrepid guerilla organization, the 93rd  Division, USAFFE, organized by Lt. Sevellano and Capt. V. Meritt operated in Catarman.  It had the widest area of command. 
• On October 25, 1944, a naval battle was fought by the American and Japanese fleet off Samar.  On February 19, 1945, the U.S. Americal Infantry Division landed in Allen. 
• After Republic Act 4221 of June 19, 1965, the election for the first Northern Samar officials was held on November 9, 1965.  They assumed office on January 1, 1968.

This province is bounded on the north by San Bernardino Strait, on the west by the Samar Sea, on the east by Philippine Sea and on the south by Western and Eastern Samar.  It is divided into three major geographical areas: the Balicuatro area, Central area and the Pacific area (including Catubig Valley).  The valley is Samar Island's largest lowland and is the province's ricebowl.   About 52% (189,200 hectares) of the total land is covered with forests.  All, except Catubig, Las Navas, Lope de Vega and Silvino Lobos, are coastal towns.  Biri (on Biri Island), Capul (on Capul Island), San Antonio (on Dalupiri Island) and San Vicente (on Destacado Island) are island towns.The province has a number of offshore islands.  The Balicuatro Islands consists of Bani, Biri, San Juan, Talisay, Tingyao, Maravilla, Cagnipa, Magasang, Abu-Abuhan, Pangdan and some smaller islands. The Naranjo Islands consists of Destacado, Escarpada, Medio, San Andres, Aguada, Dorsena, Raso and some smaller islands.

• Area (sq. kms.): 3,498 (1.2% of total land area) 
• Population (2000): 500,639
• No. of Barangays: 569
• Income Class: Third
• No. of Towns: 24
• No. of Districts: 2
• First District: Catubig, Gamay, Laoang, Lapinig, Las Navas, Mapanas, Palapag, Pambujan, San Roque and Silvino Lobos 
• Second District: Allen, Biri, Bobon, Capul, Catarman, Lavezares, Lope de Vega, Mondragon, Rosario, San Antonio, San Isidro, San Jose, San Vicente and Victoria.
• Area Code: 055

• Provincial Tourism Council - Provincial Capitol, Brgy. Dalakit, Catarman (tel:  354-1239)
• Provincial Tourism Office - Provincial Capitol, Brgy. Dalakit, Catarman (tel:  354-1233)
• Office of the Governor - Provincial Capitol, Brgy. Dalakit, Catarman (tel:  554-0278)