Cagayan
Cagayan is a province located in the Cagayan Valley Region (Region II) in the northeastern part of Luzon, Philippines. It is known for its vast agricultural lands, the mighty Cagayan River—the longest and largest river in the country—and its rich historical and cultural heritage. The province covers 9,398.07 square kilometers, making it the largest province in Region II. It is composed of 28 municipalities, 1 component city (Tuguegarao City, which also serves as the provincial capital), and 820 barangays. The name 'Cagayan' is believed to have originated from the Ibanag word 'tagay,' meaning to water a plant, or from the ancient word 'karayan,' meaning river, later adopted and Hispanized by the Spanish colonizers.
HISTORY
Cagayan Province has a rich history dating back to the early Austronesian settlers such as the Ibanag, Itawit, Malaueg, and Gaddang who thrived along the Cagayan River and coastal plains. Archaeological evidence shows that communities lived in the area thousands of years ago. In 1581, the Spanish formally established Cagayan as one of the first provinces in northern Luzon, making Nueva Segovia (now Lal-lo) the capital and an important religious center. The province became notable for the Cagayan Battles of 1582, where Spanish forces clashed with Japanese pirates. Tuguegarao was later declared the capital in the 19th century and retained this role under American rule. During World War II, Cagayan was occupied by Japanese forces before its liberation in 1945. Today, it stands as a vital center of agriculture, culture, and education in Northern Luzon.
QUICK FACTS | |
| Population (2024) | 1,282,676 |
| Land Area (sq.km) | 9,398.07 |
| No. of Households | 301,528 |
| Average Household Size | 4.20 |
| Registered Voters | 785,994 |
| Major Landmark | Callao Cave |
| Coastal Access | Yes |
| Elevation (above sea level) | 7m |
Map
Cagayan is located in the Cagayan Valley Region (Region II) in the northeastern part of Luzon. It is bordered by Apayao and Kalinga to the west, Isabela to the south, and the Babuyan Channel and Philippine Sea to the north and east.
MUNICIPALITIES POPULATION DATA
Cagayan has 28 municipalities, 1 city, and 820 barangays.
| name | type | barangay_count | population_2020 | population_2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abulug | Municipality | 20 | 34579 | 35347 |
| Alcala | Municipality | 25 | 41295 | 41468 |
| Allacapan | Municipality | 27 | 35234 | 35946 |
| Amulung | Municipality | 47 | 50336 | 50903 |
| Aparri | Municipality | 42 | 68839 | 68368 |
| Baggao | Municipality | 48 | 87753 | 90723 |
| Ballesteros | Municipality | 19 | 34488 | 34562 |
| Buguey | Municipality | 30 | 32148 | 32351 |
| Calayan | Municipality | 12 | 17410 | 18008 |
| Camalaniugan | Municipality | 28 | 25236 | 25629 |
| Claveria | Municipality | 41 | 31900 | 32997 |
| Enrile | Municipality | 22 | 36705 | 34481 |
| Gattaran | Municipality | 50 | 58874 | 59704 |
| Gonzaga | Municipality | 25 | 41680 | 41994 |
| Iguig | Municipality | 23 | 30060 | 31342 |
| Lal-lo | Municipality | 35 | 48733 | 48404 |
| Lasam | Municipality | 30 | 41225 | 42042 |
| Pamplona | Municipality | 18 | 24781 | 25182 |
| Peñablanca | Municipality | 24 | 50300 | 50856 |
| Piat | Municipality | 18 | 24805 | 25436 |
| Rizal | Municipality | 29 | 19077 | 19577 |
| Sanchez-Mira | Municipality | 18 | 26164 | 26292 |
| Santa Ana | Municipality | 16 | 35688 | 34595 |
| Santa Praxedes | Municipality | 10 | 4434 | 4643 |
| Santa Teresita | Municipality | 13 | 19573 | 19476 |
| Santo Niño | Municipality | 31 | 28537 | 29066 |
| Solana | Municipality | 38 | 88445 | 89840 |
| Tuao | Municipality | 32 | 63970 | 66147 |
| Tuguegarao City | City (Capital, Regional Center) | 49 | 166334 | 167297 |
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population by Age Group (2020)
Based on the 2020 Census, the largest age group was 10–14 years (126,101 individuals), followed by 5–9 years (123,765) and 15–19 years (118,821). The smallest was 75–79 years (12,835).
| age | population_2020 |
|---|---|
| 5–9 | 123765 |
| 10–14 | 126101 |
| 15–19 | 118821 |
| 75–79 | 12835 |
Population by Gender (2020)
In 2020, Cagayan’s population was 50.66% male and 49.34% female.
ECONOMY
Agriculture
From 2018 to 2023, crop production in Cagayan consistently dominated the agriculture sector, rising from 27,033 metric tons in 2018 to 40,578 in 2023. Livestock production fluctuated, peaking at 5,535 metric tons in 2021 before declining to 4,082 in 2023. Poultry production slightly declined from 1,878 metric tons in 2018 to 1,551 in 2023. Fisheries production showed a strong upward trend, increasing from 3,624 metric tons in 2018 to 5,598 in 2023.
| title | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Crops | 39201 | 40578 |
| Livestock | 4710 | 4082 |
| Poultry | 1572 | 1551 |
| Fisheries | 5192 | 5598 |