[6] Geographically and statistically classified, as well as legislatively represented within Camarines Sur, but administratively independent of the provincial government, Naga is considered to be the Bicol Region's trade,[7][8] business,[8] religious, cultural, industrial, commercial,[9] medical,[10][11] educational,[9][12][13] and financial center.

It was abundant in the region and was part of a pre-colonial industry of wooden cups and bowls made from narra that produced distinctive blue and yellow opalescent colors when water is poured into them (later known to Europeans as lignum nephriticum).

During the Spanish colonial era, they were exported to Mexico as luxury goods for their purported diuretic properties via the Manila-Acapulco Galleons, and from there, to Europe.

[19][20] The Jesuit missionary and historian Juan José Delgado (1697-1755) describes the industry in the following: The city called Nueva Cáceres by the Spaniards bears among the natives the name Naga, on account of the abundance of this tree throughout those provinces of Camarines and Albay, where they carve very curious cups out of it for drinking water.

Out of one of these cups they made me drink when I was a child, in Cadiz (Spain), as a remedy for hydropsy and oppilation, and I think that it might have helped me had I not drunk too much.The Bicolandia was closely allied with the Kedatuan of Madja-as Confederation, which was located southeast on Panay Island.

In time, the Spanish city and the native village merged into one community and became popularly known as "Nueva Cáceres", to distinguish it from its namesake in Spain.

For hundreds of years during the Spanish colonial era, Naga grew to become the center of trade, education, and culture, and the seat of ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Bicol.

This revolt marked a turning point in Naga City's history, bringing an end to over 323 years of Spanish rule since the founding of Nueva Cáceres.

In response, Governor-General Masaharu Homma, on May 5, dispatched 8,000 Japanese soldiers from Manila to relieve the garrison in Naga, prompting the contingents to flee and concede.

On April 5, 1945, Allied Intelligience Bureau (AIB) officer Major Russel Barros, in a meeting at Pamukid Central School, San Fernando, organized a local taskforce to liberate Naga.

On April 10, the joint task force met heavy resistance at the Manley residence, requisitioned HQ of the Kempeitai in Camarines Sur, by the Colgante Bridge, with the siege lasting all night until the depleted Japanese fortification fled for the Dayangdang Street.

On the next day of the 12th, with the overwhelming firepower of a 50. caliber machine gun however, the contingents forced the Japanese to retreat the hardware onwards toward Palestina and Cadlan and eventually out of the city premises.

This dominant faith is supported by the presence of old and influential Catholic institutions, from universities to churches run by different religious institutes, notably the Ateneo de Naga University by the Jesuits; the Universidad de Santa Isabel by the Daughters of Charity; the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral, which is the oldest cathedral that is still standing in Luzon outside Metro Manila; Peñafrancia Basilica Minore, which is the largest Catholic structure in southern Luzon in terms of size and land area; Our Lady of Peñafrancia Shrine; the historic San Francisco Church; and Peñafrancia Museum.

Although the main language is Bikol, and the medium of instruction in school is English, people in Naga usually tell time and count in Spanish.

[46] The city's economy was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic during mid-2020 and was estimated that its assets contracted by around 4% and an unidentified number of small to medium businesses closed.

[7] South Riverfront is composed of the whole of Barangay Sabang except those areas that are socialized housing sites or are otherwise excluded by the Naga City land-use plan for commercial or industrial development.

Coinciding with nine days of novena prayer at the cathedral, the city celebrates with parades, pageants, street parties, singing contests, exhibits, concerts, and other activities.

Finally, on the third Saturday of September, the image is returned, shoulder-borne by so-called voyadores, to the basilica via the historic Naga River.

[55][56] The Metro Naga Sports Complex, in Barangay Pacol, has Olympic-sized swimming pools, tennis courts, and a track oval.

The city is served by Naga Airport (WNP) located in Barangay San Jose in the neighboring town of Pili.

Naga, along with adjacent towns and cities from Tagkawayan, Quezon Province to Ligao in Albay, is served daily by the Bicol Express.

[60] The most common vehicles used for intra-city travel are public utility jeepneys (PUJ), multicabs, tricycles (trikes) and e-trikes, and padyak.

It is also a base hospital of the Helen Keller Foundation, where eye specialists from all over the country are trained and later assigned to different parts of the Philippines.

Solid wastes are disposed of and collected via the city's garbage trucks, which traverse ten routes on a daily basis.

The new wastewater treatment facility of SM City Naga, operational since April 20, 2009, has a capacity of 500 cubic meters per day; but at present, it is treating only around 200.

[69][70] It was established by six sisters of the order who arrived in the Bicol Region on April 4, 1868, with the Bishop of Caceres, Francisco Gainza, O.P., the founder of Colegio de Santa Isabel.

The country's oldest live-in Christian higher educational institute for the clergy was established in the city in the early part of the 18th century.

The Holy Rosary Seminary (El Seminario del Santissimo Rosario), a Roman Catholic seminary run by the Archdiocese of Caceres, has produced 22 bishops, including the first Filipino bishop, Jorge Barlin, and the first Filipino cardinal to work in the Roman Curia, Jose Tomas Sanchez.

The seminary has contributed, as well, to the national heritage, through José María Panganiban, Tomás Arejola, and seven of the Fifteen Martyrs of Bicol.

Well-known personalities—such as the late Raul Roco, Jesse Robredo, Francis Garchitorena, Luis Villafuerte, Jaime Fabregas, Jonathan Dela Paz Zaens, Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, and Bishop Jose Rojas—are graduates of NPS.