Ilocos Norte was created as a separate province by the King Ferdinand VII of Spain through a Royal Decree on February 2, 1818 and Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917. It occupies the coastal plain bordering the China Sea and guarded by the Cordilleras in the northwestern corner of Luzon. Before this, the coastal region encompassing both Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur was one province.
When Juan de Salcedo started his exploration in 1572, he occupied Laoag (now a city) which served as the province's capital and center of commerce and industry as well. Laoag City is about 487 kilometers Northwest of Manila. The province is bounded in the East by Cagayan and Kalinga-Apayao, in the Southeast by Abra, in the South by Ilocos Sur and in the West by the South China Sea.
As of June 30, 2001, the province is composed of:
- one (1) city
- 22 municipalities and
- 557 barangays
Like the other provinces of the Ilocos, Ilocos Norte's economy is mostly agriculture- based. Aside from rice, the province is a major producer of fruits, vegetables and legumes, specifically, garlic and tomato.
Manufacturing has become a thriving industry in the province where most of the establishments are focused on general contracting, furniture-making, handicrafts and metalcraft. Ilocos Norte is popular for its old churches and ancestral houses. The province's booming tourism industry is due to its various scenic spots and the presence of an international airport in the City of Laoag.
The province has two distinct seasons: dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year. Monthly average rainfall reaches 172.3 millimeters. Temperature averages 26.8 degrees centigrade.
Sources: Ilocos Norte Home of Historic Traditions, DOT, Region I/Ilocos Norte Socio Economic Profile, 1995, Provincial Planning and Development Office, Ilocos Norte
Provincial Profile
PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE
How to get there: Ilocos Norte is accessible by air and land. The Laoag International Airport in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte serves as the main gateway to the Ilocos Region. It caters to international flights to and from Taiwan, Hongkong and Guangzhou, and to local flights as well via Cebu Pacific and Asian Spirit. By land, several bus lines such as Partas, Fariñas, Maria De Leon, RCJ, and Autobus serve the Laoag City - Manila route. Laoag City is 488 kilometers north of Manila.
Capital: Laoag City
Climate: The province experiences dry season from November to April and wet season
from May to October. Annual rainfall is 2,067.2 mm. while average temperature is
27.8oC. The province is occasionally visited by tropical cyclones and storms
during the southwest monsoon season.
Land Area: 3,399.34 square kilometers
Location and Boundaries: Situated at the northernmost part of Luzon mainland, Ilocos Norte is bounded by Bangui Bay on the north, Apayao on the east, Abra on the southeast, Ilocos Sur in the south and South China Sea on the west.
Political Subdivision: Ilocos Norte has 22 municipalities and 1 City namely: Adams, Badoc, Bacarra, Bangui, Batac, Burgos, Carasi, Currimao, Dingras, Dumalneg, Espiritu, Marcos, Nueva Era, Pagudpud, Paoay, Pasuquin, Piddig, Pinili, San Nicolas, Sarrat, Solsona and Vintar. Laoag converted into a city on June 19, 1965 under R.A. 4584, remains as capital. The municipalities and Laoag City are further subdivided into 550 barangays and 2 districts.
Languages/ Dialects Spoken: Ilocano (Iloko) is the major dialect. English and Tagalog are the media of instruction in schools.
Population: 514,241 as of Year 2000 Census
Major Industries: Agriculture is the main livelihood of the people. Garlic is the principal cash crop. Fishing and manufacturing are other industries. Cottage industries include
weaving, pottery, blacksmithing and furniture-making.
Brief History:
Juan de Salcedo, after occupying the town settlement of Vigan, pressed further north to Laoag which at that time was also a center of population. Located at Ermita Hill at the northern bank of the Padsan River, Laoag was already a flourishing center of trade with the Japanese and Chinese. The Augustinian missionaries established the Laoag parich in 1580 with St. William, the Hermit as its Patron Saint. Laoag eventually became the capital of Ilocos Norte.
Ilocos Norte was created by virtue of the Spanish Royal Decree on Februray 2, 1818. At that time, the province occupied the coastal plain bordering the China Sea and guarded by the Cordilleras in the northwestern corner of Luzon.
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