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Province of Abra

<<Geographical Location

Abra is a landlocked province located on the western side of the Cordillera. It is bounded by Ilocos Norte and Apayao on the north, Mountain Province and Ilocos Sur on the south, Kalinga on the east and Ilocos Sur on the west.

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<<Basic Information

Data Sources:

* 2007 NSO Census of Population
**DOF DO No. 20-05 effective 7/29/05

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<<Physical Profile

The Province of Abra has a land area of 3,975.55 sq. km. or 1.3% of the total land area of the Philippines. It is the largest in terms of land area among the provinces in the Cordillera.

Abra’s climate is characterized by two distinct seasons. The dry season occurs from November to April and the wet season occurs from July to November with high rainfall intensities, storms and typhoons.

It has an extremely rugged terrain with mountains and hills rising along the periphery and in the interior. Geographically, the province may be divided into two parts, the highlands and the lowlands. The highlands are the east and northwestern portions bordering the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Kalinga where most of the hills and mountains are located. The lowlands are the south and western portions where most of the plains and valleys are situated completely surrounded by mountain ranges.

Grasses and shrubs are the dominant cover occupying 45.7% of the total land area of the province. These areas are formerly cultivated and then abandoned, from the northern central portion extending to the southeastern side, closer to the southern part of the province. Areas planted with rice, corn and other diversified crops constitute only 9.4%, while 48% is covered with primary and secondary forest. Open/cogonal areas form 16.1% of the total land area.

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<<Seal and Symbolism

SYMBOLISM Twin Peaks on Both Sides of a River, from the Spanish word "abre" meaning on both sides of a gorge, pass, breach or opening, and the river was first used by the Spaniards to denote the region above the Banawang Gap where Abra River exits into the China Sea, thus the Rio Grande de Abra. Later, it was used to name the newly created province drained by its great basin. Rice Paddies, signify that the main occupation and means of livelihood of the people of Abra is farming. Prancing Stallion, means that Abra was once upon a time famous for the strength, speed and endurance of its horses, qualities that may well apply to the province and its people in their bid for growth and development.

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<<Political Subdivision

Abra is politically divided into 27 municipalities and 303 barangays with the municipality of Bangued as its capital. The 27 municipalities with some basic information are as follows:

Data Sources:

* 2007 NSO Census of Population
**DOF DO No. 20-05 effective 7/29/05

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<<Tourist Attractions and Events

Tourist Attractions

To date, Abra has many tourist attractions, both explored and unexplored. Among them are: the Lady of Victory Statue, the Bangued Cathedral and its Bell Tower, the Bani Hotspring and its living stones, the Century-old Tree in Boliney, the Ikmin River, the Casa Real, Burokibok Mini Park, Abra Mountain Development Educational Center, Cablaan Falls of Lamao, Susok-Narra Falls, Sisim Hotspring, Bucloc River, Bucloc Rice Terraces, Sabangan-Labo Falls, Panawidan Falls, Mapaso Hotspring, Libtec Underground River, Libtec Crystal Cave, Lacub Catholic Church, Abra State Institute of Science and Technology, Lusuac Dam and Lusuac Spring Resort, Nagpawayan Falls, Mt. Patong, Panaklisan Falls, Banaaw Lake, Sto. Tomas Cave, Manabo Irrigation Tunnel, San Jose Church, Sagsagacat Spring Resort, Calm Spring, Ganuay Cave, Brima Resort, Pidigan Old Church, An-anito Lake, Toloboy Resort, Sallapadan Centennial Tree, Nuestra Señora Del Pilar Church, Malanas Overflow Bridge, Angalo’s Footprint, Tangadan Tunnel, Abra River, Don Mariano Marcos Bridge, Tayum Roman Catholic Church, Don Teodoro Brillantes Ancestral House, Gabriela Cariño-Silang Gallery of Fine Arts, Holy Ghost Building, Cellophil Resources Corporation, Sibud-sibud Cave, Mainit Hotspring, Datalan Waterfalls, Tanubong Cave, Kasaniyan-Pingeo Cave, Damanil Waterfalls, Buasao Virgin Forest, Asin Hotspring, and Kimkimay Lake.

Tourism Event

Abrenian Festival

Originally known as the Arya Abra Festival which started in 1987 under then Governor Vicente P. Valera, the Abrenian Festival is a week-long celebration coinciding with the province's foundation anniversary held every March 5-10 in the capital town of Bangued. It showcases the province's history and culture, through parades and cultural shows as well as agro-industrial fairs. Other activities in the festival include karerakit, a raft-racing competition along the Abra River. The karerakit aims to highlight the importance and optimum utilization of bamboos and the Abra River -- two of key resources in the province. Other sports competitions related to bamboo and the river are likewise featured.

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<<Official Site

• Link to the Province of Abra Official Website
  
  

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