Aklan Province Profile
Aklan – The Philippines’ Oldest Province
Brief Description
Aklan is the oldest province in the Philippines, organized in 1213 by settlers from Borneo, as the Minuro it Akean to include what is now Capiz. It became an independent province when President Magsaysay signed into law on April 25, 1956, Republic Act 1414 separating Aklan from Capiz. Aklan was inaugurated as an independent province on November 8, 1956.
Geography
Aklan encompasses the northwestern portion of Panay Island and nearby Boracay Island, both situated within the Visayas island group and having an estimated land area of 181, 789 hectares. Cadastrally located between 12°N, 11°19′ S and between 121°50′ W, 122°35′ E, the province is bordered by the Sulu Sea on the northwest, the Sibuyan Sea on the northeast and the east, by the province of Antique on the west, and by the province of Capiz on the south. The northernmost limit of Aklan is Lapuz-Lapuz point on Boracay Island (Malay), while the southernmost limit is that point in the municipality of Libacao where the borders of Aklan, Antique, Capiz meet. The easternmost part of the province is the eastern shoreline of Mambuquiao Bay in the municipality of Batan; the westernmost location is Pucio Point (Buruanga).
Political Subdivision
The province is composed of 17 municipalities, the largest in land area being Libacao, and the smallest, Lezo. Each municipality maintains a municipal government whose seat is the poblacion. It has 327 barangays.
Climate
According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geographical and Astronomical Service Administration, the province of Aklan is characterized by two areas of somewhat different climates. The coldest month is experienced in January measuring 26° rises steadily to an average of 29° in May, and then declines gradually to the January level. The best time to visit is on the months of October to May.
Population
The total number of the population of Aklan as of the year 2000 is 451,314.
Language / Dialect
The Aklanons primarily speak Akeanon. The people also speak English, Tagalog, Hiligaynon, and Cebuano.
Major Industries
Most Akeanons derive livelihood from rice, corn, coconut, abaca, and pottery making. Fishponds and offshore fishing employ many persons in the province. What thrive in Aklan are small-scale industries like piña cloth weaving, abaca and bamboo handicraft.
Pottery making and pop rice (ampaw) making are local industries that have augmented the people’s livelihood in this province. Residents living near the banks of the river make clay pots and jar the old-fashioned way, as others engage in pop rice making. Popularly known as “ampaw” in the local dialect, it is processed from cooked rice, dried, deep fried with oil and sugar, and then molded into the same sizes and dried slowly.
Source: http://tourism.gov.ph
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