ILOILO

Population

Total (2007) 1,691,878 (11th out of 80)

including independent cities: 2,110,588 (11th out of 80) Area Total 4,829.1 km sq (23rd out of 80) including independent cities: 4,899.4 km sq (25th out of 80)

languages

Hiligaynon/Ilonggo, Kinaray-a, Tagalog

General Information

Iloilo is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of Panay Island and is bordered by Antique to the west and Capiz to the north. Just off Iloilo's southeast coast is the island of Guimaras, once part of Iloilo but now a province in its own right. Across the Panay Gulf and Guimaras Strait is Negros Occidental. Iloilo's capital is Iloilo City.

Geography

The Province of Iloilo is the largest marshland in Western Visayas after the Sanderbans. The province is divided into two distinct geographic regions; the highlands of the Madia-as on the western border and the lowland plains which account for a larger portion of the province. Small islands east of its northernmost tip also dot the Visayan Sea - of these, Pan de Azucar and Sicogon are well-known.

Economy/Resources

Agriculture is the foundation of the economy of Passi City. About 85% of its total land area is devoted to agriculture. Major crops are rice, sugarcane, corn, pineapple, and other root crops. Livestock and poultry production is a thriving livelihood of the people with a total population of 68,946 heads of various animals grown. Water catchment basins have been developed into inland fishponds while the rivers abound with fish such as eel, catfish, and "dalag."

Culture

People from Iloilo are called Ilonggos. There are two local languages spoken in the province: Hiligaynon sometimes called Ilonggo, and Kinaray-a. Hiligaynon and variants of it are spoken in Iloilo city and a few towns of the province. The town fiesta is one of the most important events for Ilonggos. Almost every town (municipality) in Iloilo has a fiesta and festival celebrated annually.

Climate

Iloilo’s climate is pleasantly tropical with 2 pronounced seasons – the rainy season from June to September, and the dry season from October to May. Transportation Iloilo can reached by plain or by sea.