GAPAN

gapan, a town of the province of nueva ecija, luzon, philippine islands, 3 m. e. of san isidro, the capital. pop. (1903) 11,278. it is situated in a rich rice-growing region, and extensive forests in its vicinity contain fine hardwoods. its climate is comparatively cool and healthy. the principal native dialects spoken are tagalog and pampangan. gapan is the oldest town of the province. gararish (kararish), a semi-nomadic tribe of semitic origin, dwelling along the right bank of the nile from wadi halfa to merawi. many members of the tribe are agriculturists, others act as guides or transport drivers. they declare themselves kinsfolk of the ababda, but they are more arab than beja.