Three main islands make up Eastern Visayas or Region 8 namely: Samar, Leyte, and Biliran. Located at the eastern-central part of the Philippine Archipelago, it is bounded on the north by Sorsogon Province in the island of Luzon, on the east by the Philippine Sea, on the south by Surigao Del Norte Province in the island of Mindanao, and on the west by the island provinces of Masbate, Cebu, and Bohol. Terrain is hilly and mountainous in the central part of the islands and flat in the coastal areas. The western part of the region receives rainfall more or less evenly throughout the year while the eastern part receives maximum rainfall from November to January. Like Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas lies in the typhoon belt and the region often experiences calamities brought about by strong and powerful typhoons.

The people of Eastern Visayas are mostly Warays and Cebuanos. Famous people from Western Visayas include First Lady Imelda Marcos, Speaker Nicanor Yniguez, and Justice Antonio Nachura.

Region 8 is one of the least developed regions of the Philippines. Average poverty incidence of the region's 6 provinces is very high at 47.6 in 2006. Its contribution to the national economy is very small at 2.12%. Agriculture is the main economic activity. Main products are rice, coconut, sugar, corn, abaca, banana, poultry, hog, cattle, and fish.

Large manufacturing plants include a fertilizer and copper refinery plant, a sugar mill, and coconut oil mills. The region is rich in geothermal energy and its geothermal plants generate electricity not only for the region but for Central Visayas Region as well.

Major tourist spots in Eastern Visayas Region

• San Juanico Bridge and Palo Cathedral in Leyte
• Limasawa Island and Guinsohotan Falls in Southern Leyte
• Maripipi Island and Caibiran Waterfalls in Biliran
• Calicoan and Homonhon Islands in Eastern Samar
• Biri Island and Onay Beach in Northern Samar
• Sohotan national Park and Calbiga Cave in Western Samar