CAGAYAN: THE SMILING LAND OF BEAUTY

Lying on the northeast most part of Luzon, occupying the lower basin of the Cagayan River, more
popularly known as the Smiling Land of Beauty, is the Province of Cagayan.
The province comprises an aggregate land area of 9,003 square kilometers, which constitutes
three percent of the total land area of the country and is the second largest province in the region. The
Province of Cagayan is distinct from the city in Mindanao named Cagayan de Oro, and is far away from
Cagayancillo of Palawan or Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi Island in the Sulu Sea.
Cagayan has 28 municipalities and one city divided into three congressional districts. It has 820
barangays. The lone city and the municipalities in Cagayan are: Tuguegarao City, Abulug, Alcala,
Allacapan, Amulung, Aparri, Baggao, Ballesteros, Buguey, Calayan, Camalaniugan, Claveria, Enrile,
Gattaran, Gonzaga, Iguig, Lal-lo, Lasam, Pamplona, Peablanca, Piat, Rizal, Sanchez Mira, Sta. Ana, Sta.
Praxedes, Sta. Teresita, Sto. Nio, Solana and Tuao.
Cagayanos livelihood depends on agricultural products such as rice, corn, peanut, beans and
fruits; livestock products; fish products; and woodcrafts made of hardwood, rattan, bamboo and other
indigenous materials. The establishment of the Cagayan Economic Zone and Freeport in Sta, Ana town
provides fresh hope for a more sustained economic development of the province. Envisioned to become a
transshipment point, an agro-industrial center, and a tourism hub, the zone covers around 54 thousand
hectares and includes the islands of Fuga and Barit. Elsewhere in the province, large-scale production of
farm-inputs such as fertilizers, feeds, veterinary products, and farm implements is viable. Other
businesses that can be profitable in the province include hydroelectric plants, tourism-related ventures,
and cacao/ coffee plantation and processing.
Cagayan Province gets substantial media attention because its frequented by seasonal monsoons
and prone to devastating floods. Tuguegarao City, its capital, is also known as the hottest city in the
Philippines. Be that as it may, Cagayan has its charms in itself. Apart from it being one of the oldest
Spanish settlements in the Philippines, it has many excellent heritage sites as well as tourist destinations
to offer.
Known as the spelunkers, trekkers and gamefishers paradise rolled in one, Cagayan provides a
never-ending adventure. Activities in the province are unlimited with its green surroundings, floras and
faunas, caves and historical churches. The province is now being promoted as an adventure and ecotourism destination. Both foreign and local tourists continue to explore its caves, engage in game fishing
expeditions, trek its mighty mountains and retreat to its centuries old churches.
The following tourist destinations, among others, can be found in the Province:
1. The seven-chambered CALLAO Cave boasts of massive limestone formations, skylights and a
chapel;
2. STA. ANA and the PALAUI ISLAND is the Philippines Sailfish Capital famous worldwide for
its abundant marine life;
3. BASILICA MINORE OF OUR LADY OF PIAT (The Lady of the Visitation) is famous in the
country and abroad as the Black Mary making Piat the Pilgrimage center in the Northeast;
4. MAGAPIT SUSPENSION BRIDGE is one of the first hanging bridges in Asia;
5. ST. JAMES PARISH CHURCH and the IGUIG CALVARY HILLS features a three centuries old
well, a Dominican convent ruin and the scenic view of the Cagayan River a setting of which
resembles that of the River Jordan;
6. PORTABAGA FALLS in Sta. Praxedes is one of the tallest falls in Cagayan and has manmade
pools and picnic huts for excursionists;

7. CALAYAN ISLANDS is a destination for nature and adventure lovers; its waters - the Babuyan
Channel is home to dolphins and whales.
Cagayan today is the Regional Seat of Region 02. Tuguegarao City, the capital, is the seat of
commerce and trade and center for learning. The province has the largest marine fishing grounds and 73
percent of the regions potential fishpond area.
Cagayan is undoubtedly one of the richest archeological sites in the Philippines. Excavations by the
National Museum and field researchers of the Cagayan Museum have unraveled vast archeological
findings including artifacts dating back to the Paleolithic Age. It is the presence of such discoveries which
gives us a diachronic view of the technological and cultural evolution of the Cagayanos.
Apart from the above-mentioned attractions, Cagayan is known for its longganisa, pancit batil patong and
milk candies.
The Provincial Governor Honorable Alvaro Bong Antonio, the Provincial Vice Governor
Honorable Leonides ODI Fausto, all the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cagayan, and
all the Cagayanos would be most grateful should you include the beloved Province of Cagayan in your
destination list should you decide to take on a road trip.

Sources:
www.dotregion2.com.ph
www.cagayano.tripod.com
www.tuguegaraocity.net

www.en.wikipedia.org
www.geotayo.com
www.publophilippines.com

www.visitmyphilippines.com
www.ambot-ah.com