Located at the northwestern part of Luzon Island, Ilocos Sur is bounded on the north by Ilocos Norte, on the east by the provinces of Abra, Mt. Province, and Benguet, on the south by La Union, and on the west by Luzon Sea. It is accesible by land. From Manila, air-conditioned buses have daily trips to Vigan City passing through Candon, the only other city in Ilocos Sur Province. Other bus lines going to Ilocos Norte pass through Ilocos Sur. The eastern border with Cordillera provinces is mostly hilly and mountainous but the coastal areas are flat. Climate is hot and dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year.

Provincial capitol as viewed from Salcedo Plaza

Although the people of Ilocos Sur Province are pre-dominantky Ilocanos, there are many residents who are Tinguians, Ibaloys, Kankanaeys, and other Igorots. Majority of the residents of this province are Roman Catholics.

1. Elpidio Quirino - President of the Philippines
2. Diego and Gabriela Silang
3. Alma Moreno - Movie and television actress

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

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

Other agricultural products are tobacco, garlic, tomato, and other vegetables.

A total of 63 banks were operating in the province in 2007 with total deposits of 11 billion pesos.

Ilocos Sur offers opportunities in high value commercial crops and food processing. Its rivers can be tapped to provide electricity and water for irrigation. More resorts and other tourism-related projects are needed to accomodate the influx of tourists.

1. Vigan Heritage Village
2. Pikkang Falls
3. Sta. Maria Church - built in 1769
4. Sundial in Tagudin - built in 1800s, a first in the Philippines
5. Coves in Santiago, Narvacan, and Sinait
6. Tirad Pass in Gregorio Del Pilar

Quirino Bridge

Tobacco is a major product in Ilocos Sur

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