Officially designated as Region II, it consists of five province: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino, with Tuguegarao City serving as the regional center.
Cagayan Valley is the country’s second-largest region and a cradle of both biodiversity and historical significance. It offers a unique combination of mainland valleys and remote islands, making it both geographically and culturally distinct among the regions of Luzon.
It is home to the Cagayan River, the longest in the Philippines, which nourishes fertile plains and supports robust agricultural activities. The region’s elevation varies from sea-level coastlines to rugged mountain peaks, offering rich topographic diversity.
Cagayan Valley is known as a paradise for spelunkers, trekkers, and anglers, providing a never-ending quest for adventure. Highlights include exploring the massive, seven-chamber Callao Cave system, where ancient human fossils were unearthed; navigating the rapids of the Pinacanauan River; and trekking into the vast, forested Sierra Madre mountains.
Beyond the thrills, the region offers a serene escape, with opportunities to uncover its hidden treasures: from the iconic, centuries-old churches of mainland Cagayan to the secluded charm of the Batanes Islands, and from the pristine coastlines of Palaui to the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park and Mount Pulag National Park.
Archaeological finds suggest human settlement dating as far back as 500,000 years, with early trade links to Japan and China. The region is abundant in historical artifacts, with some sites in Cagayan having yielded stone tools that date back to 20,000 years.
Cagayan Valley is home to several ethno-linguistic groups, which include the Ibanag, Itawit, Gaddang, and the Ivatan people of Batanes, each having a distinct dialect, reflecting the region’s diverse ethnic composition.
Festivals such as Agao Nac Cagayan showcase street dancing, local crafts, and culinary traditions.
Emerging infrastructure like the Cagayan North International Airport in Lal-lo is enhancing connectivity and gradually attracting tourism.