Apayao is the northernmost province of Cordillera Region. It is bounded on the north and east by Cagayan Province, on the south by Kalinga, on the southwest by Abra, and on the west by Ilocos Norte. High mountains characterized most of the province with small flatlands in its border with Cagayan especially in the northeast. Seasons in the province are not very pronounced but the months of November up to April are relatively dry while the rest of the year is relatively wet. It is accessible by land either through Cagayan or Ilocos Norte.

The Apayao tribe occupy most of the province with some Kalingas and Ilocano residents. It is the country's least populated province with only 24 persons per square kilometer.

Apayao Provincial Capitol

Poverty incidence is highest among the provinces in the Cordillera Region. It stood at 63.1 in 2006, the 4th highest in the country in fact. Agricultural production in 2007 are as follows (figure in thousand metric tons, rank among 79 provinces)

Animal inventory of Apayao in 2007 are as follows (figure in thousand, rank among 79 provinces)

Skilled woodcarvers from the province produce fine wooden furniture and artifacts while its women weavers are good at producing the native dresses, fabrics, and accessories. In 2007, 3 banks were operating in the province with total deposits of 358 million pesos.

Entreprenuers can invest in high value commercial crops such as organic rice, corn, coffee and vegetables. The grassy hills in the eastern part can be developed into grazing lands for goats and cattle. The small furniture shops can be modernized and expanded to produce quality goods for export. Skillful negotiation and consultation with the natives can convince them to allow the development of its rivers for electrical power and irrigation.

1. Apayao River and waterfalls
2. Agora and Anag-Sicapo Wildlife Sanctuaries
3. Maton Underground River

Capitol photo credit to lunaapayao.com

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