It was from Lallo that authorities governed the province and was the capital of Cagayan up to 1839 when Cagayan Valley Region was subdivided. On May 24, 1839 the province of lsabela was created comprising the towns of Cordon to Ilagan, including the sitio of Palanan. Nueva Vizcaya comprised the region from Aritao to Bayombong and later to Diadi. Cagayan comprised that part of the valley from Tuguegarao to Aparri and the Babuyanes. And the provincial government was moved to Tuguegarao from Lal-lo.

Cagayan Valley abounds with natural resources and exudes with development potentials that consist of rich agricultural areas, forestland and grasslands, inland and marine resources.

Geographically, the valley is located at the northeastern part of mainland Luzon covering an area of about 26,858.79 square kilometers making it the 2nd largest region in the country. Bounded with the Pacific Ocean in the east and the protective mountain range of Cordillera on the west and Caraballo Mountain, the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Aurora on the south. Between the ranges is the valley where most of the population live and is criss-crossed by the mighty Cagayan River, the longest and widest in the country and its tributaries, which flow into the Babuyan Channel in Aparri. The Pacific Ocean on the east cost and the Babuyan Channel on the north also skirt the mainland.The Batanes group of island is located at the northernmost tip of the Philippine Archipelago surrounded by Bashi Channel on the north, Pacific Ocean on the east, Balintang Channel on the south and China Sea on the west.

It has more than 890 kilometers of coastline and rich fishing grounds, particularly with the Babuyan and Balintang Channels on the north and the Palanan and Divilacan Bays on the east including its territorial seas within the 200 kilometer Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The region has four (4) minor volcanoes with several inactive fault lines, which include the Digdig Fault. The climate in the valley falls under Type 3 characterized by not very pronounced seasons - relatively dry from November to June and wet during the rest of the year.

Cagayan Valley Region is composed of five provinces - Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino and three cities - Cauayan, Santiago and Tuguegarao. The region's population based on the year 2000 census of the population was 2,813,159.

Tilapia capital of the Philippines[edit]

On January 11, 2008, the Cagayan Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) stated

that tilapia (species of cichlid fishes from the tilapiine cichlid tribe) production grew and Cagayan Valley is

now the Philippines’ tilapia capital (Saint Peter’s fish). Production supply grew 37.25% since 2003, with

14,000 metric tons (MT) in 2007. The recent aquaculture congress found that the growth of tilapia

production was due to government interventions: provision of fast-growing species, accreditation of

private hatcheries to ensure supply of quality fingerlings, establishment of demonstration farms, providing

free fingerlings to newly constructed fishponds, and the dissemination of tilapia to Nueva

Vizcaya (in Diadi town). Former cycling champion Lupo Alava is a multi-awarded tilapia raiser

in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya. Chairman Thompson Lantion of the Land Transportation Franchising and

Regulatory Board, a retired two-star police general, has fishponds in La Torre, Bayombong, Nueva

Vizcaya. Nueva Vizcaya Governor Luisa Lloren Cuaresma entered into similar aquaculture endeavors in

addition to tilapia production.[5] Isabela province is the richest in harvest among the other provinces in

Region 2.

Cagayan Valley has five provinces and three cities. The most dominant trait of the region is the Cagayan River, the largest waterway in the Philippines. Cagayan Valley is considered as an adventurer's paradise, with its intricate cave systems, rugged mountain peaks, white water rapids and beautiful beaches.

Batanes

Batanes is an island group in the most northern and isolated province in the Philippines. The unpredictability of the weather makes traveling to Batanes difficult, thus preserving its unspoiled beauty. Among the natural wonders of this place includes endangered fauna, volcanic peaks, caves, sea cliffs and sandy beaches. Unique wildlife includes the tatus (coconut crab) and migratory birds from China. Structures with Spanish influence remain here such as the San Jose and San Carlos Borromeo Churches. Adventure seekers find Batanes great for surfing, trekking and spelunking.

Cagayan

Cagayan Province is best known for the seven-chambered Callao Caves. Adventurers come to Cagayan for game fishing, mountain trekking, river trips and surfing. Popular sites include Palaui's Spanish built Cape Engano Lighthouse, the Magapit Suspension Bridge, St. Peter's Cathedral and the Miraculous Lady of Piat, a four centuries-old image of the Virgin Mary, brought by Dominican Friars from Macao in 1604. The mouth of the Cagayan River is located in Aparri. The Cagayan River is the longest and widest in the nation, and is home to the 'lurung' fish which travels upstream to breed during the wet season.

Isabela

Isabela Province is best known for its uncharted forest wilderness, including the Northern Sierra National Park. The Palanan Rainforest is one of the world's largest remaining low altitude rainforest. Isabela also has the Magat Hydro Electric Power Plant, East Asia's largest dam project. Other popular sites include Spanish churches in Tumauini, Alicia and Gamu, and the Aguinaldo Shrine in Palanan, built to commemorate the spot where General Emilio Aguinaldo was captured by American Forces in 1901.

Nueva Vizcaya

Nueva Vizcaya is a mountainous province home to the Mt. Pulog National Park where the country's second highest mountain, Mt. Pulog (3,000 meters), is located. World War 2 memorials include the Dalton Pass and the Kirang Pass. Old Spanish Churches include St. Dominic Cathedral and Dupax del Sur Church. Adventure and eco-tourism sites include the Lion-Alayan Cave and the Kayapa town.

Quirino

Quirino Province is known for its natural sites, wildlife and adventure. Natural sites include the Bisangal Waterfalls, Victoria Falls, the Nagbukel and Aglipay Caves and Nagtipunan virgin rainforest. Governor Rapids is an ideal spot for white water rafting, swimming and fishing.