Abra , Philippines

Originally the area was called El Abra de Vigan ("The

Opening of Vigan")

Profile:LAND AREA: 4,165 km²

(1,608.21 sq mi)

LOCATION: Ilocos Norte and

Apayao on the North , Ilocos

Sur and Mt. Province on the South,

Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur on the

West, and Kalinga, and Apayao on

the East (17.5833° N, 120.7500° E -Abra, Coordinates)

POPULATION: 234,733 as of 2010

CLIMATE: Tropical Climate

COUNTRY REGION: CAR

REGIONAL CENTER: Bangued

o The seat of the provincial government is at Bangued, its capital town which is four hours from Baguio City and 10 hours from Manila.

Abrao Home of the Ilocanos and Tingguians

o Has 27 Municipalities and 0 Cities, and 303barangays.

o The barangays of Abra are listed within each municipality and city. Each barangay, municipality, and city has an interactive webpage of its own.

o Abra Registered Voters as of (2010) = 133,124

o Land Area (as of 2007, in hectares) = 416,525

o Abra is a 1st class province.

People:

Conrado Balweg

Gabriela Silang

o More than half of its land are forestlands which are repository of a myriad of forest products and minerals such as gold, clay guano, rock phosphate and cement raw materials.

o This province is rich in bamboo and rattan, which local businessmen have translated into successful cottage industries

Economy

o In 1992, the natural dye industry, together with loom weaving and embroidery, was revived by former Governor Ma. Zita Claustro-Valera, the first female governor of Abra.

o Its major crops are rice, corn, and root crops; commercial products include coffee, tobacco, and coconut. Extensive grassland and pasture areas are used for livestock production.

Dialect

o The predominant languages are Ilocano and Itneg. Based on the 2000 census survey, the majority of the province population is Ilocano 71.9%. Other ethnic groups living in the province are the Tinguian 18.7%, Ibanag 4.5%, Isneg 3.2% and Tagalog 0.4%.

Historical and Architectural

Landmarks

Catholic Church in Tayum, Abra

Provincial Capitol Building of Abra

Historical and Architectural

Landmarks

Provincial Capitol Building of Abra

Abra River

FESTIVALS IN ABRA

• Kawayan Festival

• Dapil Festival

• Arya Abra Festival

Reference

• http://www.zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Abra_Province,_Philippines