The province of Aklan is located in the northern part of Panay Island. Its neigbors are Capiz Province in the southeast and Antique in the southwest. The Jintotolo Channel borders the province in the north. Its territory includes the islands of Boracay, Caluya, Sibay, Semirara, and Simbolon. The northwest and southwest parts are mountainous while the rest are flat lands. Seasons are not very pronounced: dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year.

Aklan Provincial Capitol

The people af Aklan are called Aklanons.

1. Victorino V. Mapa - Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (1920 - 1921)

Main economic activities are farming and fishing. Agricultural production of Aklan in 2007 are as follows (figure in thousand metric tons, rank among 79 provinces)

Animal inventory in 2007 are as follows (figure in thousand, rank among 79 provinces)

The province has cottage industries producing rattan and nito baskets and other crafts. Tourism is mostly concentrated in Boracay, the country's best known resort island, and in the capital town of Kalibo where the Ati-Atihan Festival is held every third week of January. The island of Semirara is the country's number one producer of coal. As of 2007, there were 33 banks with total depsoits of 4.9 billion pesos.

Poverty incidence is very high. In 2006, it stood at 52%, well above the country's average of 32.9%.

Tourism-related ventures, production of high value commercial crops and commercial cattle raising are the most feasible businesses to to put up in the province. Food processing, production of organic textile and clothing, furniture, and jewelry are highly recommended businesses. The development of an international airport in the town of Malay can be viable considering the growth of tourism not only in Boracay Island but also in other parts of the province particularly in the capital town of Kalibo.

1. Boracay Island - one of the world's best beaches
2. Kalibo - best time to visit is during the Ati-Atihan Festival
3. Ignito Cave in Buruanga town
4. Jawili Falls in Tangalan
5. Kalantiaw Shrine in Batan

Capitol photo credit to aklanforum.blogspot.com

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