"Iloilo Facts" a Iloilo Travel Page by clarice_ldr

"Irong-irong" appears in the Maragtas legend of the coming of ten Bornean Datus (Chieftains) to Panay who bartered gold for the plains and valleys of the island from local Ati chieftain. One datu, Paiburong by name, was given the territory of Irong-irong (now Iloilo). For 300 years before the coming of the Spaniards, the islanders lived in comparative prosperity and peace under an organized government and such laws as the Code of Kalantiaw.

In 1572, the Spaniards under Miguel Lopez de Legaspi came to Panay and established a settlement in Ogtong (now Oton, Iloilo). He appointed Gonzalo Ronquillo as deputy encomiendero who in 1581 moved the seat of Spanish power to La Villa Rica de Arevalo, a sitio named in honor of his hometown in Avila, Spain. By 1700 due to recurrent raids by Moro pirates, Dutch and English privateers, the Spaniards moved to the village of Irong-irong where close to the mouth of the river they built Fort San Pedro. Irong-irong or Ilong-ilong whose name the Spaniards shortened to "Iloilo" later became the capital of the Province.

Geography

Iloilo is the in the center of the Philippine archipelago. Strategically located 283 statute miles from Manila, it is the gateway to the flourishing region of Western Visayas. The province comprises the southern part of Panay Island. Mountain ranges with peaks as high as 7,000 feet, provide natural boundaries between Iloilo and Antique on the west and Capiz on the North. The rest of the mainland Iloilo is largely plain with interspersing upland portions.

Composition

Comprising Iloilo are 2 cities and 41 municipalities. Iloilo City, capital city of the province, is set in graceful repose between Iloilo ang Batiano rivers forming an angle of a nose. Hence, its old name "Ilong-Ilong" which means "noselike". Iloilo City is an educational center with 7 universities, 3 medical schools and 14 other offering tertiary education. It is also the administrative center and religious capital of Western Visayas

Iloilo has 2 pronounced seasons, the rainy months from June-September and the dry season from October-May.

Source: DOT Iloilo Fact Sheet

Paraw Regatta: Named as the third Best Tourism Event of the Philippines

Dinagyang: Named as THE BEST Tourism Event of the Philippines