About abra

Abra is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. The province is enclosed by the towering mountain ranges of the Ilocos in the west and the Cordillera Central in the east. It has an extremely rugged terrain, with mountains and hills rising along its perimeter and interior.

Abra is composed of 27 municipalities and 304 barangays. The municipality of Bangued is the provincial capital. The province is bounded by Ilocos Norte and Apayao in the north; Ilocos Sur and Mountain Province in the south; Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur in the west; and Kalinga and Apayao in the east.

Abra’s economy is agriculture-based. Its major crops are rice, corn, and root crops. Commercial products are coffee, tobacco, and coconut while the extensive grassland and pasture areas are used for livestock production. Cottage industry is also a major source of livelihood for the people of the province. About 743 cottage industries exist in Abra, of which 208 are registered with the Department of Trande and Industry. About 59% are engaged in bamboo and rattan craft making which are both leading industries in the province.

When you are in Abra, you get a good view of mountains and hills rising along its perimeter and interiors, and the plains whose water irrigation system drain out to Abra River. In Abra, you can see the sights of amazing and impressive stalagmites at the Libtec Underground River and Sibud-Sibud cave. Tourists can also participate in the annual festivals of the province like Kawayan Festival, held on the first week of March, which commemorates the founding anniversary of the province. Also, one can experience the feature songs and dances of the Tingguian ethnic tribe in the Tingguian Festival.