Area Background

A. Geographical Characteristics

Ilocos Norte is located 463 kilometers north-northwest of Metro Manila. It occupies the area on the northwestern part of Northern Luzon. It is bounded by the provinces of Apayao and Cagayan on the east, Abra on the southeast, Ilocos Sur on the south and by the China Sea on the north and west. The province is sequestered by the mountains which run northwest and join the Cordilleras on the east. It has a total land area of 3,622 square kilometers composed of two cities and 21 municipalities which are further subdivided into 557 barangays. The terrain consists of large areas of rice paddies and steep mountains The province has two seasons: the dry season which runs from November to April and the wet season from May to October. Its climate has registered an average temperature of 26.8 Celsius (end 1997).

B. Socio-Economic Characteristics

As of 2000, the province has an estimated population of 514,241 and a population density of 151.2785 people per square kilometer. The people live mainly on agriculture, related industries, non-agricultural industries and entrepreneurial activities. Statistics show labor force participation rate stood at 74.18 percent. Employment rate stood at 94.79 percent and underemployment rate stood at 43.5 percent owing to the largely seasonal agricultural economy of the province. Annual average per capita income (as of 2000) is registered at P34, 204.00.