Ilocos Norte, Administrative province in northwestern Luzon, Philippines
Ilocos Norte is an administrative province in northwestern Luzon that stretches along the South China Sea coast. Mountains in the east transition to flat plains where farming and fishing villages shape the landscape.
Juan de Salcedo arrived in the area in 1571 and brought Spanish administrative structures that remained in place for more than three centuries. The province developed into a central point for political and church activities in the northern part of the archipelago.
The inabel weaving technique uses a handloom to produce colorful cloth with geometric patterns that locals wear for daily use and ceremonies. Potters work with the damili method to shape vessels from native clay, applying techniques passed down through generations.
The Manila North Road connects larger towns, and the international airport in Laoag offers flights to destinations in the Philippines and other parts of Asia. For travel into mountain regions or remote coastal sections, plan extra time as roads there become narrower and more winding.
Near Laoag City, the La Paz Sand Dunes stretch across a wide area and form a sandy landscape that looks unusual in this tropical setting. The dunes reach down to the beach and create a sharp contrast with the green inland areas.
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