La Union Province
is in the southwestern Ilocos Region in northern Luzon. It is bounded
by Ilocos Sur on the north and northeast, Benguet on the east, Pangasinan
on the south, and the China Sea on the west.
|
BRIEF PROFILE
|
| Capital: |
San Fernando |
| Land Area: |
1 493 sq km |
| Population: |
600 000 |
| Cities: |
none |
| Number of Towns: |
20 |
The land_______________________________
La Union has a predominantly hilly terrain which gradually rises
eastward from the shore.
The western border is a coastal plain of raised coral and alluvia
overlying older sediments.
The province has two pronounced seasons - dry from November to
April, and wet from May to October.
A Brief History___________________________
The province was created on March 2, 1850, out of towns then
belonging to Ilcos Sur and Pangasinan.
Luciano Almeda headed the provincial government for the time
during the Philippine Revolution, while General Manuel Tinio occupied
San Fernando in May 1898. After the battle on November 19, 1899,
the American troops took control of the province.
In 1901, a civil government was established in La Union. A year
later, La Union ceded a narrow strip of land to Amburayan, which
later became a sub-province of the old Mountain Province.
The People______________________________
Ilocanos dominate the population. Some Pangasinenses are found
in the southern part of the province. A substantial part of Chinese-Filipinos
can be found in the province's commercial center.
Ilocano is the predominant language of the people.
Commerce and Industry_____________________
The main sources of livelihood are farming and fishing.
The principal products are rice, corn, tobacco, garlic, sugarcane
and cassava. Grapes are also grown extensively.
Cottage industries include blanket-weaving, basketry, shellcraft,
pottery and furniture-making.
La Union is also well-known for its "basi", the native
wine made from fermented sugarcane juice.
Getting There and Away_____________________
Buses depart for the province several times daily.
Other Information__________________________
Stretches of white and gray-sand beaches can be seen along the
towns. Resorts, hotels, and cottages are available along the shores.
The Provincial Capitol is an imposing yellow building built during
the American Regime. It sits atop a hill in the capital town overlooking
San Fernando Bay.
Museo de La Union showcases archaeological finds in the province.
Museo Iloko houses religious artifacts, antique furniture, porcelain
wares and miniature dolls.
Christ on the Mount stands atop a hill along the Marcos Highway
overlooking the town of Tubao.
The miraculos image of Our Lady of Charity is enshrined in the
Agoo Cathedral. Devotees make a pilgrimage during Holy Week.
