by Lionunion 
The Ilocos Region, also known as Region I, is an administrative region of the Philippines located in the northwestern section of Luzon. It is primarily occupied by the Ilocano people. The region is composed of four provinces: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan, and one independent city, Dagupan. Its regional center is San Fernando, La Union, while the largest settlement is San Carlos City, Pangasinan.
An Overview of Ilocos Region
The total land area of the region is approximately 13,013.60 square kilometers. As of the 2020 census, the region has a population of 5,301,139 people. The region is densely populated, with about 410 people per square kilometer.
In terms of economy, the Ilocos Region has a diverse economic base. The southern part of the region, particularly Pangasinan, is anchored on aquaculture, agro-industrial, and service industries. The northern part of the region, on the other hand, is primarily agricultural, with income mainly coming from the cultivation of rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, and fruits, as well as livestock raising. The region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2021 was approximately ₱643 billion or $13 billion, with a growth rate of 4.6%.
The real estate market in the Ilocos Region is also diverse, with properties ranging from agricultural lands, residential properties, and commercial spaces. The region’s cities, particularly Dagupan, San Fernando, and Laoag, are the main hubs for real estate development.
Exploring the Provinces of Ilocos Region
Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Norte, officially known as the Province of Ilocos Norte, is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region. Its capital is Laoag City. The province is situated in the northwest corner of Luzon Island, bordering Cagayan and Apayao to the east, and Abra to the southeast, and Ilocos Sur to the southwest. Ilocos Norte faces the West Philippine Sea to the west and the Luzon Strait to the north.
The province has a total land area of 3,467.89 square kilometers (1,338.96 square miles) and a population of 609,588 as of the 2020 census. It is the 38th largest province in terms of land area and ranks 53rd in terms of population among the 81 provinces of the Philippines.
Ilocos Norte’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, with rice, corn, garlic, legumes, root crops, tobacco, and other fruits and vegetables being the main products. The province also has a thriving fishery industry and is known for its livestock, particularly swine and cattle. Cottage industries such as loom weaving, furniture, ceramics, and iron works are also prevalent. The province is also known for its wind power generation, with several wind farms located in the area.
Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Sur, officially known as the Province of Ilocos Sur, is a province in the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. It is bordered by Ilocos Norte and Abra to the north, Mountain Province to the east, La Union and Benguet to the south, and the South China Sea to the west. The province was founded by the Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo in 1572.
The total land area of Ilocos Sur is approximately 2,596 square kilometers (1,002.32 square miles), making it the 51st largest province out of 81 in the Philippines. As of the 2020 census, the province has a population of 706,009, ranking 43rd out of 81 provinces in terms of population. The province’s capital is Vigan, and its largest city is Candon.
The economy of Ilocos Sur is primarily based on agriculture, with major products including tobacco, rice, corn, and vegetables. The province is also known for its crafts and cottage industries, such as pottery, furniture-making, and weaving. Ilocos Sur is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Heritage City of Vigan and the Baroque Church of Santa Maria.
La Union
La Union, officially known as the Province of La Union, is a province in the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region on the island of Luzon. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, which also serves as the regional center of the Ilocos Region. The province is bordered by Ilocos Sur to the north, Benguet to the east, Pangasinan to the south, and to the west by the shores of the South China Sea.
La Union covers a total land area of 1,497.70 square kilometers (578.27 square miles), making it the 69th largest province out of 81 in the country. As of the 2020 census, it has a population of 822,352, ranking it 37th out of 81 provinces in terms of population. The population density is approximately 550 people per square kilometer (1,400 people per square mile), making it the 9th most densely populated province in the country.
The economy of La Union is largely based on agriculture, with a significant portion of its land area devoted to crop production. The province is known for its local loom-weaving industry, which produces the famous “Abel Iloko” cloth, a traditional Ilocano fabric. The tradition of making “basi”, a fermented alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane, is still prevalent in the municipality of Naguilian, La Union.
Pangasinan
Pangasinan is a coastal province in the Philippines situated in the Ilocos Region of Luzon. Its capital is Lingayen and the largest city is San Carlos. The province is located in the western area of Luzon along Lingayen Gulf and the South China Sea. It has a total land area of 5,451.01 square kilometers (2,104.65 sq mile). As of the 2020 census, it has a population of 3,163,190.
The province is named after the term “Pangasinan”, which means “place of salt” or “place of salt-making”, reflecting its significant salt production. It is also a major producer of other products like bagoong (“shrimp-paste”) and alamang (“salted-krill”).
Pangasinan has a rich history, with the ancient kingdom of Luyag na Caboloan once flourishing in the area before the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. It was also part of the vast maritime trade network that connected ancient Austronesian settlements in Southeast Asia, India, China, Japan, and the rest of the Pacific.
The province is known for its tourist attractions, such as the Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos and the white-sand beaches of Bolinao and Dasol. It is also famous for its mangoes and ceramic oven-baked Calasiao puto (“native rice cake”).
In conclusion, the Ilocos Region is a place of diverse cultures, rich history, and natural beauty. Each province offers unique experiences and attractions that make the region a must-visit destination in the Philippines.
Source: wikipedia
