Apayao, Province in Northern Luzon, Philippines.
Apayao is a province in the northern Cordillera region spanning mountainous terrain with rivers running through it and dense forests covering large areas. The region is divided into seven municipalities and 133 barangays, with the provincial government seat located in Luna.
The area was originally part of Cagayan as a sub-province before becoming independent in 1995 when it separated from Kalinga-Apayao. This separation allowed the region to develop its own provincial governance.
The Isneg people, the main indigenous group here, celebrate festivals called sayam where men compete around ritual stones and women communicate with spirits. These traditions continue to shape daily life and local identity today.
The best time to visit is during the dry season when mountain roads are more accessible. Visitors should prepare for remote conditions and allow time for travel between scattered municipalities.
The region shelters around 286,000 hectares of virgin forest where the Philippine eagle and endemic plant species used in traditional medicine live. These woodlands remain among the least disturbed ecosystems in the country.
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