La Union is a coastal province in the Ilocos Region (Region I) in Northern Luzon, Philippines. It covers about 1,499.28 square kilometers and is composed of 1 component city, 19 municipalities, and 576 barangays. The capital of the province is San Fernando City, which also serves as the regional center of Region I. The name 'La Union,' which means 'The Union' in Spanish, was given in 1850 when towns from the provinces of Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, and Benguet were merged to form a single province.

History

La Union was officially created as a province on March 2, 1850 by virtue of a Royal Decree issued by the Spanish colonial government. Its name, which means 'The Union' in Spanish, was chosen to reflect the merging of towns from three neighboring provinces: Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, and Benguet. During the Spanish period, La Union played an important role as a center of trade and missionary work, particularly with the Augustinian friars spreading Christianity in the region. Under American rule in the early 1900s, the province underwent administrative reorganization, and its capital, San Fernando, was further developed as the political and economic hub. In World War II, La Union became a site of fierce battles, including the landing of Japanese forces in 1941 and later the liberation campaigns by Filipino and American soldiers in 1945. After the war, La Union rebuilt itself and gradually became known for agriculture, coastal trade, and later, its reputation as a prime surfing and tourist destination, particularly in San Juan.