Ilocos Norte is located in the northwestern tip of Luzon Island. It is bounded on the northwest by the Luzon Sea, on the east by the provinces of Cagayan and Apayao, and on the south by the provinces of Abra and Ilocos Sur. It is accessible by air, land, and sea transportation. The province has two cities namely : Laoag City and Batac .

Provincial Capitol

Terrain is mostly flat in the coastal areas and hilly to mountainous in the central and eastern part. Climate is mostly hot and dry from November to April and rainy during the rest of the year.

The people of Ilocos Norte are pre-dominantly Ilocanos. Although Iloko or Ilocano is the common languange, English and Filipino are widely spoken. 63% of the population are Roman catholics, 17% are aglipayans while the rest belong to other religious sects.

1. Gregorio Aglipay - nationalist, Founder of the Philippine Independent Church
2. Ferdinand E. Marcos - Congressman, Senator, President
3. Fred Ruiz Castro - Supreme Court Chief Justice (1976 - 1979)
4. Severino Montano - 2001 National Artist
5. Artemio Ricarte - Revolutionary General
6. Teofilo Yldefonso - Famous pre-war Filipino swimmer
7. Juan Luna - Famous Painter whose masterpiece is the spolarium
8. Pedro Almazan - Leader of a revolt against the Spaniards in 1660
9. Pedro Mateo - Leader of the Basi revolt against the Spaniards in 1807

Agricultural production of Ilocos Norte in 2007 are as follows (figure in thousand metric tons, rank among 79 provinces)

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

Other products are tobacco, garlic, root crops and vegetables. Food processing, Salt-making, weaving, and ceramics particularly pottery are the main cottage industries. Native delicacies include bagnet or chicharon, empanada or filled pastry, corniks or corn kernels, and tupig (sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves).

Tourism-related activities such as hotel and restaurants provide a significant contribution to the local economy. The province is a pioneer in harnessing the power of wind to produce electricity. In 2007, there were 50 banks serving the province with total deposits of 12 billion pesos.

As one of the international gateways of the country, Ilocos Norte offers unlimited business potential. More tourism-related facilities are needed. Renewable energy such as wind power and biodiesel is a promising investment area. Its proximity to Hongkong, China, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan should make the province an ideal site for manufacturing plants producing goods for export. The ceramics and salt industries can be further developed to produce products in commercial quantities. The planting of high value crops and the processing thereof is highly recommended.

1. Pagudpud - long stretch of white sand with mighty waves and strong winds
2. Bangui Wind Mills
3. Currimao Pangil Sunset
4. Adams Rock Climbing
5. Vintar Dam
6. St. Augustine Church in Paoay - Most Photographed Church in the Ilocos
7. Juan Luna Shrine in Badoc
8. Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in Burgos
9. San Nicolas Damili - pottery making

Capitol photo credit to tourism.gov.ph

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