Nueva Vizcaya

The southernmost province of Region 2, Nueva Vizcaya is the gateway to Cagayan Valley. A watershed haven, it is a landlocked province lying about 270 kilometers north of Metro Manila, right at the juncture of the Caraballo and Cordillera mountain ranges. It is bounded on the north by Ifugao, on the west by Benguet, and on the southwest by Pangasinan.

Nueva Vizcaya consists of 15 municipalities namely: Ambaguio, Bagabag, Bayombong, Diadi, Quezon, Solano, Villaverde, Alfonso Castañeda, Aritao, Bambang, Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur, Kasibu, Kayapa and Santa Fe.

The early settlers in the province include the Ilongots (Bugkalots), Ifugaos, Igorots, Isinais, and Gaddangs. At present, however, majority of the inhabitants are Ilocanos.

The primary source of livelihood in the province is agriculture (farming and cattle and swine raising) and some commerce and trade. Its primary crops are palay and corn. It also produces rootcrops, vegetables, and fruits. The province is known for its oranges, mangoes, rattan crops, littuko (rattan fruit), yacon (a root crop) and fruit preserves and wines.

Capital
Bayombong

Population
366,692 (2000 census)

Lingua Franca
Ilokano (66.9 percent)

Minority Languages
Ifugao, Isinai, Gaddang, Igorot