Profile of Iloilo Province (Geography)
Location –> Panay Island, Western Visayas Region, Philippines (See map below)
Neighboring Provinces –> Aklan, Capiz, Antique
Capital –> Iloilo City
Area –> 5,000.83 km2 (1,930.83 sq mi)
Population –> 2,509,525 (2020 Census) – – 10th largest among 82 provinces when Iloilo City is included
Terrain –> Broad lowland with high mountains in the northwest
Industries –> Agriculture, Tourism, Sugar Refining
Major Products –> Rice, Sugarcane, Corn
People/Language –> Ilonggo (Hiligaynon), Tagalog, English
Cities –> Iloilo, Passi
Municipalities (Towns) –> (42) Ajuy, Alimodian, Anilao, Badiangan, Balasan, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Calinog, Carles, Concepcion, Dingle, Duenas, Dumangas, Estancia, Guimbal, Igbaras, Janiuay, Lambunao, Leganes, Lemery, Leon, Maasin, Miagao, Mina, New Lucena, Oton, Pavia, Pototan, San Dionisio, San Enrique, San Joaquin, San Miguel, San Rafael, Santa Barbara, Sara, Tigbauan, Tubungan, Zarraga
Government Officials
Go here to see the elected provincial officials in Iloilo.
Iloilo Province History
Prior to the coming of the Spaniards, Iloilo was already a thriving settlement rivalling the sultanates of Cebu, Manila, and Sulu. In 1566, the Spaniards, led by Miguel López de Legazpi, established a new headquarters in the island of Ogtong (now part of Oton Municipality). Due to frequent raids by Moro pirates, the headquarters was moved to an area near the mouth of the Iloilo River and was called Villa de Arevalo. In 1855, Iloilo was opened to world trade and became the biggest port in the Philippines.
During the Philippine Revolution, Gen. Martin Delgado led the liberation of many towns of Iloilo from Spanish rule and became the first governor of the province. On December 28, 1898, the Americans arrived in Iloilo and easily conquered it.
In the First Philippine Legislature (1907-1909), the province was represented by Amando Avanceña (First District), Nicolas Jalandoni (2nd), Salvador Laguda (3rd), Adriano Hernandez (4th), and Regino Dorillo (5th).
During World War II, the Japanese occupied the province from April 16, 1942 until July 4, 1946.
Go here to see all the famous people from Iloilo Province.
Go here to see all the candidates and results of the 2019 election in Iloilo Province.
Read the history of Iloilo Province in Tagalog.
Economy of Iloilo Province
The people of Iloilo are mostly engaged in farming and fishing. Although the province is considered the rice bowl of the Visayas, sugarcane is the chief agricultural product especially in Passi City and its surrounding municipalities. Due its many beaches, historical places and centuries-old churches, tourism is fast becoming an important industry. In Iloilo City, technology-based industries such as call centers are on the rise.
RELATED: Profile of Palawan Province
See also: List of Philippine Provinces and Capital by Region