La Union is a Spanish term for "the union" or "the united". No other name could apply more appropriately to this province which was born out of the fusion of towns from the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan and Benguet.

La Union was created by virtue of a superior Decreto issued on March 2, 1850 by Governor General Antonio Maria Blanco. The establishment of La Union as a province was formally approved by the Real Orden of Quezon Isabella II of Spain on April 18, 1854.

As a province, it had withstood the rigors of war, first against the Spaniards then against the Americans and lastly, the Japanese. The province has flourished since its creation to the present until it was designated as the center of the Ilocos Region (Region I). Its capital, San Fernando City, is the seat of the regional government offices as well as the region's educational and commercial center.

The province is bounded on the North and Northeast by Ilocos Sur, on the East by Benguet, on the South by Pangasinan and on the West by the South China Sea. La Union is five hours from Manila and more than an hour from Baguio City by car.

As of June 30, 2001, the province is composed of:

• 1 city
• 19 municipalities, and
• 576 barangays.

Around 35 percent of the total land area of the province is devoted to crop production. Although 62 percent of La Union is upland, only 21 percent remains forested. The province is one of the country's two major producers of tobacco. Its other major agricultural products include banana, coconut and mango aside from rice.

The province has more than 110 kilometers of coastline. The pristine waters of strategically located coastal municipalities make the province a major fishing ground and likewise a top destination for domestic and foreign visitors.

La Union is famous for its tree houses, beaches and other natural tourist attractions.

Small and medium enterprises are thriving in the province with the booming small-scale industries like pottery making and sericulture.

The province has two pronounced seasons: Dry from December to April and Wet during the rest of the years. Average annual rainfall was estimated at 183.3 millimeters. Temperature averages 25.2 degrees centigrade annually.

Sources: La Union, July 1996, Department of Tourism, Region I/La Union Socio Economic Profile 1995, Provincial Planning and Development Office, La Union

Provincial Statwatch
            

For comments & suggestions e-mail the Webmaster