Apayao

Apayao is a landlocked province in the Cordillera Administrative Region of northern Luzon, Philippines. It was established as a separate province in 1995 under Republic Act No. 7878, partitioning it from Kalinga. The provincial capital is Calanasan. The province covers rugged, mountainous terrain typical of the Cordillera Central and features river valleys formed by streams that drain toward the Cagayan and Luzon Central plains. The Apayao River and its tributaries are notable waterways. The climate is tropical highland, with a pronounced wet season and cooler dry season.

The population is predominantly of the Isnag (Apayao) ethnic group, with Ilocano and other communities present. Isnag and Ilocano are common languages, with Filipino and English widely understood. The religious landscape is mixed, with Roman Catholics and various Protestant denominations, alongside indigenous belief systems.

Economy centers on agriculture and forestry. Farmers grow rice, corn, and vegetables, with coffee and other cash crops contributing to livelihood in some areas. Small-scale logging and community enterprises also occur, alongside remittances from workers abroad.

Governance in Apayao is administered as a provincial unit within the Cordillera Administrative Region. It is subdivided into municipalities and barangays, with local government units exercising autonomy in line with Philippine law. The province aims to balance development with the preservation of its mountain landscapes and indigenous heritage.