San Carlos, Pangasinan
', officially the ' (; ; ), is a in the province of , . According to the , it has a population of people. It is the most populated city in Pangasinan and the entire Ilocos Region. History. Pre-colonial. San Carlos was already a prosperous community since pre-colonial times. It was formerly part of a town called "Binalatongan". Binalatongan was the capital of Luyag na Caboloan, an ancient kingdom, which includes the present-day provinces of Tarlac, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, La Union, Pangasinan, and Benguet) ruled by King Ari Kasikis. The name of Binalatongan was derived from the abundance of mongo (mung  bean) plants along the San Juan riverbanks. During that time, Pangasinan traded with Japan, China and other Southeast Asian empires and national entities and enjoyed full independence and prosperity. Caboloan is the name of the primitive Pangasinan dialect, of which its purest form was spoken by the natives of Binalatongan. In 1718, Binalatongan was renamed (the Municipality [town] of) San Carlos. 1960s. During the 1960s, the Municipality of San Carlos divided into two precincts. In 1965, the smaller precinct became legally incorporated as the Municipality of Basista by virtue of RA 4866. Cityhood. In 1966, the larger precinct became legally  incorporated as San Carlos City by virtue of Republic Act No. 4487. Contemporary. On April 28, 2007, San Carlos City's former mayor, Julian V. Resuello, was assassinated during an event at the city's plaza. He later died after two days. Geography. Barangays. San Carlos is politically subdivided into 86 barangays. These barangays are headed by elected officials: Barangay Captain, Barangay Council, whose members are called Barangay Councilors. All are elected every three years. Economy. The city is also called the "Mango-Bamboo Capital of the Philippines", San Carlos has the largest number of mango trees - their fruits are  among the most flavorsome in the country - and a thriving bamboocraft industry. An agro-industrial city, San Carlos also engages in livestock raising, crop production, inland fishing, pottery, food processing, tourism, commerce and trade, small-scale manufacturing, and flour-making. San Carlos is said to have an ideal investment potential because of its large land area, big population and strategic location, being in the center of Pangasinan. Government. San Carlos, belonging to the third congressional district of the province of Pangasinan, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative  body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years. Tourism. Interesting spots of the town include: Giant mango pie. On April 26, 2011, 86 barangays in San Carlos baked a 100-square-meter mango pie — filling a gymnasium and setting the largest mango pie world record (400 sqm na mango pie, iniluto sa San Carlos City). Natives used 400 trays of mango pies (10 kilos each, P 400,000, in a 100-square-meter table and shared by more  than 1,200). It highlighted San Carlos City's Mango-Bamboo Festival 2011. Transportation. Bus companies with service to and from Manila include Five Star Bus Company, Dagupan Bus Company, Fermina Express, Pangasinan Solid North Transit, Inc., First North Luzon Transit, . Jeepneys are available for commuters to its neighboring towns, like Calasiao and Malasiqui. Tricycles are available for commuters to barrios and barangays.