Ilocos Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the northwestern part of Luzon Island. It belongs to Region 1 or Ilocos Region.
Profile of Ilocos Norte (Geography)
Location –> Ilocos Region, Northeastern Luzon Island, Philippines (See map below)
Neighboring Provinces –> Cagayan, Apayao, Abra, Ilocos Sur
Capital –> Laoag City
Area –> 3,467.89 km2 (1,338.96 sq mi)
Population –> 593,081
Terrain –> Mountainous with narrow river valleys and coastal plains
Industries –> Agriculture, Light Manufacturing
Major Products –> Rice, Corn, Garlic
People/Language –> Ilocanos, Tagalog
Cities –> Batac, Laoag
Municipalities (Towns) –> (21) Adams, Bacarra, Badoc, Bangui, Banna, Burgos, Carasi, Currimao, Dingras, Dumalneg, Marcos, Nueva Era, Pagudpud, Paoay, Pasuquin, Piddig, Pinili, San Nicolas, Sarrat, Solsona, Vintar
Government Officials
Go here to see the elected provincial officials of Ilocos Norte.
Ilocos Norte History
The province of Ilocos Norte was already settled by people who had trading relations with other nations long before the coming of the Spaniards in the late 16th century. It was split from Ilocos Sur on February 2, 1818.
The Augustinian friars carried out the mission of evangelization of the natives but they committed many abuses that generated anger from the people resulting in several revolts. The first known uprising occured in Dingras in 1589. In 1660, Pedro Almasan led the people in San Nicolas to fight the Spaniards. In 1807, Pedro Mateo of Piddig urged the sugar cane (“basi”) brewers to rise up in arms to protest the government’s monopoly of the wine industry. Then in 1815, the people of Sarrat revolted against the Spaniards.
The provincial capitol of Ilocos Norte was first erected in 1917 under the administration of Governor Florencio Castro. It was enlarged in 1957 under Governor Antonio Arquiza and inaugurated the following year by Governor Toribio Peralta.
Ireneo Javier and Baldomero Pobre were the two representatives of Ilocos Norte when the first Philippine Legislature was opened in 1907.
Go here to see all the famous people from Ilocos Norte.
Go here to see the candidates and results of the 2022 election in Ilocos Norte.
Go here to see the candidates and results of the 2019 election in Ilocos Norte.
Read the history of Ilocos Norte in Tagalog here.
Economy of Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Norte is an agricultural province. Rice, garlic, corn, and coffee are the main products. Manufacturing is limited to home production of handicraft items such as brooms and bamboo crafts. Tourism is currently the priority of the government for development. In 2018, almost 3 million local and foreign tourists visited the province.
Ilocos Norte is home to one of the largest wind power plant in the country.
RELATED: Profile of La Union
See also: List of Philippine Provinces and Capital by Region
Ilocos Norte Map