Some historians believe that the oldest ancient kingdom in the Philippines is found in this region, the Lakanate of Lawan, which plays a significant role in the Polynesian and Austronesian intermigration.

Type II climate is characterized by having no dry season but a pronounced maximum rainfall from November to January.

Type IV, on the other hand, has an even distribution of rainfall year-round and a short period of dry season that can be observed starting in February up to May.

The region's sea and inland waters are rich sources of salt, freshwater fish, and other marine products.

Its mineral deposits include chromite, uranium (in Samar), gold, silver, manganese, magnesium, bronze, nickel, clay, coal, limestone, pyrite and sand and gravel.

Other industries include coconut oil extraction, alcohol distilling, beverage manufacture and forest products.

The Leyte Kalipayan Dance Company, a local cultural group, held highly successful performances around the world.

Since 2018, Eastern Visayas has held the 'Oktubafest' every October to showcase the best local wine made from coconut palm called tuba.

[17][18] The region's Leyte and Samar islands serve as main link between Luzon and Mindanao by land transport.

There are seaports in Tacloban, Baybay, Laoang, Catbalogan, Calbayog, Borongan, Allen, Ormoc, Bato, Hilongos, Maasin, Sogod, and Naval.

The Pan-Philippine Highway passes through the entire province, starting from Allen in Northern Samar until Liloan in Southern Leyte, where it continues in Mindanao through a ferry service.

The Palo-Carigara-Ormoc road is a spur of the aforementioned highway, connecting Cebu City to the network through a ferry ride from Ormoc.

Also, the region is home to Palompon Institute of Technology, a maritime school in the Philippines providing deck and engine cadet.