The Philippines is an archipelago.
Luzon ( [ luːˈzɒn ] [ luˈson ] , is the largest and most populous island in the Philippines . Located in the northern region of the archipelago , it is the economic and political center of the nation , being home to the country 's capital city , Manila , as well as Quezon City , the country 's most populous city . Philippines . It consists of about 7,641 islands that are categorized broadly under three main geographical divisions from north to south : Luzon , Visayas , and Mindanao .