The Province of Antique is located in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Its capital is San Jose de Buenavista, the most populous town in Antique. The province is situated in the western section of Panay Island and borders Aklan, Capiz and Iloilo to the east, while facing the Sulu Sea to the west.
Antique is one of the six provinces comprising Western Visayas or Region VI, and one of the four provinces in the island of Panay. The province, with a total land area of 2,729.17 square kilometers (1,053.74 sq mi),[12] is an elongated stretch of land occupying the entire western side of the island. It is bounded by the rugged central mountains of Panay, bordering on the provinces of Aklan in the northeast, Capiz on the east, Iloilo in the southeast and the Sulu Sea on the west. Its westernmost and northernmost point is Semirara Island at 12°07′10″N 121°21′10″E, while its eastern tip is approximately 11°01′N 122°19.5′E. Anini-y is the province’s most southerly point at 10°24′24″N 121°57′38″E. Resembling a seahorse in shape, it is 155 kilometers (96 mi) long and 35 kilometers (22 mi) at its widest point.
San Jose de Buenavista serves as the provincial capital, the center of commerce and trade, and the seat of the provincial government and national government agencies. The population of Antique in the 2015 census was 582,012 people, [3] with a density of 210 inhabitants per square kilometer or 540 inhabitants per square mile. San Jose, is the most populous town in the province.
The following are the 18 Municipalities compromise the province (from South to North)
- Anini-y
- Tobias Fornier (Dao)
- Hamtic
- San Jose
- Sibalom
- Belison
- San Remegio
- Patnongon
- Valderrama
- Bugasong
- Laua-an
- Barbaza
- Tibiao
- Culasi
- Sebaste
- Pandan
- Libertad
- Caluya
The province is home to the indigenous Iraynun-Bukidnon, speakers of a dialect of the Kinaray-a language, who have crafted the only rice terrace clusters in the Visayas through indigenous knowledge and sheer vernacular capabilities. The rice terraces of the Iraynun-Bukidnon are divided into four terraced fields, namely, General Fullon Rice Terraces, Lublub rice terraces, Bakiang rice terraces, and San Agustin rice terraces. All of the rice terrace clusters have been researched by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and various scholars from the University of the Philippines. There have been campaigns to nominate the Iraynun-Bukidnon Rice Terraces, along with the Central Panay Mountain Range, into the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Allow yourself some enchantment and adventure. Visit Antique, historic land of Binirayan Festival, majestic mountains, cascading waterfalls, white beaches, rich fishing grounds and white water kayaking. Experience pure hospitality in Antique’s pension houses and hotels. Relish the simple joy of local host family by getting an accommodation in a home stay. Where you stay, your meals can be arranged with your host in advance. Natural, fresh foods are bountiful so you can have a fill of vegetables, fruits and seafoods.
Activities are many and exciting. Go Trekking, boating, swimming shell-hunting, snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing. Malalison Island, Igpasungaw Falls and Bugang River are must sees. Or you may time your visit during the Binirayan Festival and experience not only the festival itself but many other related events. This mother of all festivals in the province showcase the color, the beauty of an art, the sounds and rhythm uniquely Antiqueno.
visit Antique Website
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