an island in the central Philippines. It has an area of 11,500 sq km. In the western part of the island, mountains composed primarily of crystalline rock rise to an altitude of 2,117 m (Mount Nangtud). In the east are low hills up to 834 m in height, composed mainly of igneous rock. A meridional synclinal depression filled with alluvial deposits runs through the central part of the island. There are coral reefs along the eastern coast. Panay has deposits of pyrites, copper ore, and coal. The mountain slopes are covered with monsoon forests, while the plains resemble savannas in places. Panay is heavily populated (1.2 million in 1970). Much of the land in the east, along the Jalaud and Panay river valleys, and along the western coast is cultivated. The basic crop is rice, which accounts for about 90 percent of the cultivated land. Maize, sugarcane, coconut palms, and bananas are also cultivated. Fishing is another important activity. The main cities are Iloilo and Roxas.