Ilocos Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Vigan City, located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the provincial capital.

On December 2, 1999, Vigan became part of the UNESCO World Heritage List because of its unique Spanish colonial history in Asia, well-preserved Spanish monuments and edifices, and thriving cultural heritage.

Vigan known as heritage village is unique for having preserved much of its Hispanic colonial character, particularly its grid street pattern and historic urban lay out. Its significance also lies on how the different architectural influences are blended to create a homogenous townscape.

Quick facts

Governor:JEREMIAS C. SINGSON

Vice Governor:RYAN SINGSON

POPULATION: 706,009 (As of 2020)

GEOGRAPHY: Ilocos Sur is bordered by Ilocos Norte and Abra to the north, Mountain Province to the east, La Union and Benguet to the south, and the South China Sea to the west. Ilocos Sur has an area of 2,579.60 square kilometers occupying about 20.10 percent of the total land area of the Ilocos Region.

CITY: 2 (Vigan City and Candon City)

TOWNS/MUNICIPALITIES: 32 (Alilem, Banayoyo, Bantay, Burgos, Cabugao, Caoayan, Cervantes, Galimuyod, G. Del Pilar, Lidlidda, Magsingal, Nagbukel, Narvacan, Quirino, Salcedo, San Emilio, San Esteban, San Ildefonso, San Juan, San Vicente, Santa, Sta. Catalina, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Lucia, Sta. Maria., Santiago, Sto. Domingo, Sigay, Sinait, Sugpon, Suyo, Tagudin)

BARANGAYS: 768

LANGUAGE: The principal dialect of the province is Ilocano representing about 95% of the total population. Other dialects/languages spoken in the province include Tagalog, Pangasinense, Visaya, Chinese, English, Kankanai, Tinggian and Muslim.

RELIGION: Approximately 85 percent of the total population professes Roman Catholicism, the prevailing religion in the province. The remaining percentage of the population professes to Protestantism, Buddhism, Iglesia Ni Cristo, Aglipayan, Islamism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists and Born Again Christians.