Its creation as a province was formally approved by a Royal Decree issued by Queen Isabela of Spain on April 18, 1854.

From its incepcion as a province up to the Second World War, La Union experienced transformations in the socio-cultural and politico-economic aspects. After the War, rehabilitation and reconstruction were done eventually propelling the province as the center of commerce and trade and the administrative center of Region I.

Geography - La Union is located in the southwestern part of Region I and stretches over a length of 102 kilometers from North to South between 120 decree 16' and 120 decree 35' longtitude and 160 decree15' latitude. It is bounded on the north by Ilocos Sur, on the south by Pangasinan, on the east by Benguet, and on the west by the China Sea.

It has a land area of 149,309 hectares with a predominantly hilly terrain that gradually rises eastward from the shore. Its irregualr coastal plain is narrowest in Damortis, Sto. Tomas and widest in Balaoan. Its highest peak is in Bagulin with and elevation of 1,200 feet above sea level. The province has several rivers which are short and rapid.

Political Subdivision - La Union has 20 municipalities which are subdivide into 576 barangays. The Northern towns of Sudipen, Bangar, Luna, Balaoan, Santol, San Gabriel, Baonatan, San Juan and San Fernando comprise the First District. Belonging to the Second District are Bagulin, Naguilian, Burgos, Bauang, Caba, Aringay, Agoo, Tubao, Sto. Tomas, Rosario and Pugo. San Fernando is moving forward to become a component city.

Climate - The climate condition prevailing in La Union is dry from November to April and wet from May to October. The southwest monsoon brings about the abundant rainfall experienced during the wet season. The relatively dry season is caused by the northeast monsoon passing over the Cordillera Mountains. The average temperature is 27.21 decree celcius.

Population - Population of the province in 1990 was 584,742 with a density of 368 persons for every square kilometer. The population is concentrated in the coastal municipalities. The capital town of San Fernando registered the most with 84,949. The preliminary population count in 1995 recorded a 2.02% increase in the population of La Union while San Fernando increased by 7.71%.

Language/Dialect - Ilocano is the common dialect. The residents of the coastal barangay of Sto. Tomas and Rosario also speak Pangasinense while the cultural communities in the towns bordering the Cordillera speak Ibaloi or Kankanacy. English and Filipino remain as basic tools of instruction in schools.

Major Industries - Agriculture remain to be the primary industry. Cottage industries are blanket weaving, basketry, bamboocraft, pottery, and broommaking. Commercial activity consists mostly of wholesale and retail business.

TOURISM ATTRACTIONS

A. HISTORICAL

Basic Ridge. Located 9 kilometers northeast of San Fernando town proper through the Imperial Army in the province. Later, the Ridge constituted the East Flank of the 121st Infantry of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines, Northern Luzon (USAFIP NL) during the Liberation in 1945.

Wallace Air Station. This 101 hectares of base land located at the end of Poro Point in San Fernando was acquired in 1903 for the United States Cavalry. It was the home of the 848th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron which provided logistics and administrative support to other radar detachments under its chain of command. Formally turned-over by the United States to the Republic of the Philippines on September 16, 1991, the Bases conversion Development Authority is overseeing the plans for the conversion of the area into a prime tourism and industrial estate.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Built as a tribute to the heroism of the soldiers who fought during the last World War, the marker stands at the junction leading to the Poro Point.

Battle of San Fernando Marker. Situated at the northwestern portion of the Town Plaza, inscribed is an account of how the Battle was started and won ebabling the establishment of the United States Army Base Base M at Poro Point which was eventually used as a build up area for the projected invasion of Japan. San Fernando is 264 kilometers north of Manila.

Luna Watchtower. This rotund structure built along the shore in Luna during the Pre-Spanish time was used as look-out point for impending attacks by pirates.

Baroro Bridge Marker. The siege of Baroro in Bacnotan started the operation to liberate San Fernando. This marked the first victory of the Luzon Guerrillas over a Japanese armed unit before the American Liberation forces landed on Luzon. The marker stands at the southern approach of the briedge approximately 14 kilometers north of San Fernando.

USAFIP, NL Military Shrine and Park. Camp Spender, the general headquaters of the USAFIP, NL located along Darigayos Cove in Luna is reserved as a Military Shrine and Park by virtue of Proclamation 590 signed by President Fidel V. Ramos on June 1, 1995. Darigayos is approximately 34.2 kilometers north of San Fernando accessible through the Bitalag Junction in Bacnotan or through Balaoan.

B. CULTURAL

Museo de La Union. Located at the Provincial Capitol ground in San Fernando, the Museum showcases archeological finds in La Union during the pre-Spanish period. The Museum is open on Monday up to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday visit is by arrangement.

Pottery Making. Clay products are on display and produced in Taboc, San Juan utilizing the same age-old procedure in pottery making. Taboc is about 9 kilometers away from San Fernando.

Blanketweaving. This age-old practice of weaving wider Ilocano blankets is a prime home industry in Bangar. Rayon, cotton and polester combination and the "tinaguan" are yarns used in the weaving of blankets and other products.

Basimaking. Basi, the Ilocano native wine concooted from sugar cane juice and bark of "duhat" tree for the coloring is a home industry in Lioac, Naguilian. Utilizing the age old process, the taste of the basi differs from one producer to another.

Museo de Iloko. The old "presidencia" of Agoo houses artifacts and other pieces of cultural importance to the Ilocanos. The Museum is open from Monday to Friday at 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday visit is by arrangement.

C. NATURAL

Bauang Beach. Lined along the fine grayish sand of Bauang Beach are establishments providing accomodation and other amenties from Baccuit to Pagdalagan. The beach is 6 kilometers south of San Fernando.

San Francisco-Canaoay-Pagudpud Beach. Tourism related establishments dot the beach area in San Fernando.

San Juan Beach. Approximately 8 kilometers north of San Fernando, the beach stretching from Urbiztondo to Ili Norte is dotted with tourism-related establishments. The surf in the area is ideal for amateur surfing during the months of November to February.

Agoo-Damortis National Seashore Park. Declared as a National Park, the beach stretching from Sta. Rita, Agoo up to Damortis, Rosario is proposed for development as atourist destination in La Union.

D. RELIGIOUS

Shrine of Our Lady of Charity. The Agoo Basilica enshrines the miraculous image of Our Lady of Charity. This imposing structure of Mexican-Baroque architecture is the venue of religious rites foremost is the Semana Santa.

Shrine of Our Lady of Namacpacan. The century-old church of St. Catherine in Luna formerly called Namacpacan, houses the miraculous image of Our Lady of Namacpacan, patroness of Ilocano travellers. The shrine is located at the town proper of Luna, approximately 40 kilometers northwest of San Fernando.

Agoo Apparition Site. The much publicized divine visitations of the Virgin Mary in San Antonio has established Agoo as a destination of Marian devotees.

Macho Temple. This Chinese temple believed to be the only one built with five gates, sits on a promontory north of the town proper of San Fernando and overlooks the San Fernando Bay. The temple enshrines the image of the Virgin of Casasay, the patroness of the Filipino-Chinese residents.

E. MAN-MADE

Marcos Park. Comprising 300 hectares, a part of which is located in Palina, Pugo, the park is soon to be rehabilitated and further developed into a mountain resort complex to include the Marcos Highway as a Scenic Highway.

La Union Botanical and Zoological Garden. Located in Sitio Japan, Cadaclan, San Fernando, the development of the garden is ongoing to include amenties.

FESTIVALS

Agoo Semana Santa. In the oldest town of La Union, the life-sized statues depicting the Stations of the Cross are pulled by devotees along the proccessional roads during the Good Friday procession. During the Holy week the town people of Agoo come up with religious activities to make the occasion more meaningful and sacred.

Rambak. A yearly Holy week celebration spearheaded by the Provincial Government f featuring water sports, band concerts, fluvial parade and reenactment of the resurrection rite at the Bauang Beach after the Easter Sunday mass.

Feast of Our Lady of Caysasay. The Filipino-Chinese community in San Fernando celebrates the Feast of Our Lady by bringing the original statue from Taal, Batangas to the temple for the weeklong activities held on the second week of September which is the 5th day of August in the Lunar calendar.

San Fernando Town Fiesta. The capital town of San Fernando is the center of festivities on February 6 to 12 to honor St. William, the Hermit.

G. SPECIAL INTEREST

Surfing - The surf fronting Monaliza in Urbiztondo, San Juan is the best site for board surfing from November to February. Surf boards can be hired at the Surf Camp nearby. Other recommended sites are in Carlatan and Wallace in San Fernando.

Trekking - The upland municipality of Bagulin offers trails and sites for treckking. Its terrain is predominantly hilly and mountainous with second growth forests and traversed by the winding Bagulin-Naguilin River. One passes through geological formations, scenic spots and some areas which are being threatened environment degradation. Trekking time starts in October. Other sites recommended for trekking activities are the Bebeco, Condura and Dacanay Reforestation in Sto. Tomas, Rosario and Pugo respectively.

Scuba Diving - Fagg Reef. Large reef at 40 feet with sharp drop-offs to the north and west sides characterized the Fagg Reef located at 330 degrees approximately 2 miles from the tip of Poro Point. The best area is to north, drop in and with the current to the north where the coral heads are big enough for 10 divers to crawl under. Sharks, barracuda, sea snakes, Moray eels and other friendly sea creatures adorn the area where visibility is excellent most of the time.

Reseach Reef - Adjacent to the Bauang Beach, the Research Reef has tunnels, caverns and crevices. Beginners must beware of narrow caverns that extend quite far.

Golf - Wallace Golf Course. This-18-hole course located within the former Wallace Air Station is open to the public upon payment of fee. Golf equipment and accessories are also for sale.

PNP Frienship Ridge Golf and Country Club - Located at the PNP Regional Command in Parian, San Fernando, this-9-hole golf course is open to players for a fee of P250.00.