Angeles, chartered city in the northern Philippines, on the island of Luzon, in Pampanga Province. Angeles is located on a major railroad line in a rice- and sugarcane-growing region. Its chief industries are sugar refining and food processing. Until 1991 the economy of Angeles was heavily dependent on the United States Air Force base known as Clark Air Base, which was located just north of the city. The area of the base was leased by the United States. The major eruption of Mount Pinatubo, a long-dormant volcano about 24 km (about 15 mi) east of Angeles, in June of 1991 forced the evacuation and closure of the base. In September of that year the Philippine government rejected a treaty that would have permitted the United States military to remain in the Philippines. As a result, Clark Air Base did not reopen. The government then converted the area into a special economic zone, offering low taxes to investors. This encouraged businesses to establish operations in the zone, helping to offset the loss of income and jobs previously generated by the presence of the U.S. military. Population (1999 estimate) 249,677.
