July 15 – thirty years ago, then President Corazon Aquino issued Executive Order (EO) 220 that created Cordillera Administrative Region. Situated in Luzon, CAR is the only landlocked region in the country, comprised of 6 provinces – a home to many tribes of Igorots.

As a whole, CAR has two cities: Tabuk of Kalinga, and Baguio, a chartered city of Benguet, which is the highly urbanized place in the region. However, the six provinces are equally blessed with natural resources boasting beautiful landscapes and rich culture that the Philippines can be proud of. Some have been recognized by the world, and others have contributed to the history of mankind.

There are a lot of things to discover about Cordillera, but let us give you a glimpse of these majestic treasures.

The 6 Magnificent Provinces

Apayao

Apayao is the least densely populated province in the Philippines.

Area: 4,413.35 km²(1,704.00 sq mi)

Highest Elevation: Mount Lambayo

Capital: Kabugao

Municipalities:

• Calanasan
• Conner
• Flora
• Kabugao†
• Luna
• Pudtol
• Santa Marcela

Abra

Area: 4,165.25 km² (1,608.21 sq mi)

Highest Elevation: Mount Bangbanglang

Capital: Bangued

Municipalities:

• Malibcong
• Manabo
• Peñarrubia
• Pidigan
• Pilar
• Sallapadan
• San Isidro
• San Juan
• San Quintin
• Tayum
• Tineg
• Tubo
• Villaviciosa

Kalinga

Area: 3,231.25 km²(1,247.59 sq mi)

Highest Elevation: Mount Binuluan

Capital: Tabuk

Municipalities:

• Balbalan
• Lubuagan
• Pasil
• Pinukpuk
• Rizal
• Tabuk
• Tanudan
• Tinglayan

Mountain Province

Area: 2,157.38 km² (832.97 sq mi)

Highest Elevation: Mount Singakalsa

Capital: Bontoc

Municipalities:

• Barlig
• Bauko
•  Besao
•  Bontoc
•  Natonin
•  Paracelis
•  Sabangan
•  Sadanga
•  Sagada
•  Tadian

Ifugao

Home of the 5 Rice Terraces recognized by UNESCO as Heritage Sites

Area: 2,628.21 km²(1,014.76 sq mi)

Highest Elevation: Mount Pulag

Capital: Lagawe

Municipalities:

• Aguinaldo
• Alfonso Lista
•  Asipulo
•  Banaue
•  Hingyon
•  Hungduan
•  Kiangan
•  Lagawe
• Lamut
•  Mayoyao
•  Tinoc

Benguet

Salad Bowl of the Philippines

Area: 2,769.08 km² (1,069.15 sq mi)

Highest Elevation: Mount Pulag

Capital: La Trinidad

Municipalities:

• Atok
• Baguio*
• Bakun
• Bokod
• Buguias
• Itogon
• Kabayan
• Kapangan
• Kibungan
• La Trinidad
• Mankayan
• Sablan
• Tuba
• Tublay

31st Cordillera Day