Nueva Ecija

Nueva Ecija
Nicknames: 
Rice Granary of the Philippines
Milk Capital of the Philippines
Heart of Inland Luzon
Anthem: Awit ng Nueva Ecija (Song of Nueva Ecija)
Location in the Philippines
Interactive map of Nueva Ecija
Coordinates: 15°35′N 121°00′E / 15.58°N 121°E / 15.58; 121
Country Philippines
RegionCentral Luzon
Founded25 April 1801
Named afterÉcija, Spain
CapitalPalayan City
Largest cityCabanatuan
Government
 • TypeSangguniang Panlalawigan
 • GovernorAurelio Umali (Unang Sigaw)
 • Vice GovernorGil Raymond Umali (Unang Sigaw)
 • LegislatureNueva Ecija Provincial Board
Area
 • Total
5,751.33 km2 (2,220.60 sq mi)
 • Rank12th out of 82
Highest elevation
(Mount Kiligantian)
1,673 m (5,489 ft)
Population
 (2024 census)
 • Total
2,395,816
 • Estimate 
(2020)
2,355,416
 • Rank10th out of 82
 • Density416.567/km2 (1,078.90/sq mi)
  • Rank16th out of 82
Demonyms
  • Novo Ecijano (m/n)
  • Novo Ecijana (f)
Divisions
 • Independent cities0
 • Component cities
 • Municipalities
 • Barangays849
 • DistrictsLegislative districts of Nueva Ecija
Demographics
 • Ethnic groups
 • Languages
Time zoneUTC+8 (PHT)
IDD:area code+63 (0)44
ISO 3166 codePH-NUE
Websitewww.nuevaecija.ph

Nueva Ecija, officially the Province of Nueva Ecija, is a landlocked province in the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the city of Palayan, while Cabanatuan, its former capital, is the largest city and the economic, commercial, and institutional center of Nueva Ecija. The province borders, from the south clockwise, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya and Aurora. The province is nationally known as the Rice Granary of the Philippines, producing the largest rice yield in the country.