Aklan
Aklan, officially the Province of Aklan (Akeanon: Probinsya it Akean [ak'ɤan]; Hiligaynon: Kapuoran sang Aklan; Tagalog: Lalawigan ng Aklan), is a province in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Its capital is Kalibo. The province is situated in the northwest portion of Panay Island, bordering Antique to the southwest, and Capiz to the southeast. Aklan faces the Sibuyan Sea and Romblon province to the north.
Aklan | |
|---|---|
| Province of Aklan | |
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Flag Seal | |
| Nickname: Oldest Province in the Philippines | |
| Motto(s): "Arangkada, Aklan" | |
| Anthem: "Aklan Hymn" | |
Location in the Philippines | |
OpenStreetMap | |
| Coordinates: 11°40′N 122°20′E | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Western Visayas |
| First settled | 1213 |
| Founded | 25 April 1956 |
| Capital and largest municipality | Kalibo |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Jose Enrique Miraflores |
| • Vice Governor | Reynaldo M. Quimpo (NP) |
| • Legislature | Aklan Provincial Board |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,821.42 km2 (703.25 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 64th out of 81 |
| Highest elevation (Mount Timbaban) | 1,777 m (5,830 ft) |
| Population (2020 census) | |
| • Total | 615,475 |
| • Rank | 51st out of 81 |
| • Density | 340/km2 (880/sq mi) |
| • Rank | 23rd out of 81 |
| Demonym | Aklanon |
| Divisions | |
| • Independent cities | 0 |
| • Component cities | 0 |
| • Municipalities | |
| • Barangays | 327 |
| • Districts | Legislative districts of Aklan |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PHT) |
| ZIP Code | 5600–5616 |
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)36 |
| ISO 3166 code | PH-AKL |
| HDI | 0.660 (Medium) |
| HDI rank | 29th in Philippines (2019) |
| Spoken languages | |
| Website | aklan |
Aklan is most well-known for Boracay, a resort island 0.8 kilometer north of the tip of Panay. It is known for its white sand beaches and is considered one of the more prominent destinations in the country. The Ati-Atihan Festival of Kalibo has also been known worldwide, hence declared "The Mother of all Philippine Festivals." It is an annual celebration held on the third Sunday of January to honor the Sto. Niño (Infant Jesus). The festival showcases tribal dancing through the town's main streets to the tune of ethnic music, with participants in indigenous costumes and gear.