Calayan, Municipality in Cagayan Province, Philippines.
Calayan is a municipality in Cagayan Province spread across four islands in the Luzon Strait, with Calayan Island being the largest. The administrative area includes twelve barangays with approximately 17,000 residents.
Spanish administration established control over Calayan in 1619 with an intermittent presence, before the area came under American rule in 1900. This shift in authority shaped the region's later development.
The name comes from the Ibanag language and refers to the abundance of ginger, reflecting the farming traditions of this northern Philippine area. Visitors can see these plants still grown in local gardens and fields today.
The visitor experience is shaped by the isolated location on the islands, so planning travel carefully is essential. Visitors should check weather conditions, as sea routes vary in accessibility depending on the season.
The Calayan Rail, a flightless bird discovered on Calayan Island in 2004, exists nowhere else in the world. This rare species attracts bird researchers and underscores the ecological importance of the area.
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