La Union

La Union
(from top: left to right) Baluarte Watch Tower, Ma-Cho Taoist Temple, San Juan Surf, Namacpacan Church, San Fernando, and Mt. Kimmallugong
Nickname: 
Elyu
Motto(s): 
"Love, Union, Concord"
Anthem: La Union Hymn
Location in the Philippines
OpenStreetMap
Coordinates: 16°30′N 120°25′E / 16.5°N 120.42°E / 16.5; 120.42
CountryPhilippines
RegionIlocos Region
FoundedMarch 2, 1850
Capital
and largest city
San Fernando
Government
  GovernorMario Eduardo C. Ortega (PFP)
  Vice GovernorEric O. Sibuma (Lakas-CMD)
  LegislatureLa Union Provincial Board
Area
  Total
1,497.70 km2 (578.27 sq mi)
  Rank69th out of 81
Highest elevation
(Mount Talalang)
1,520 m (4,990 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)
  Total
822,352
  Rank37th out of 81
  Density550/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
   Rank9th out of 81
Demonyms
  • Elyucano
  • La Unionen
  • La Unionense
Divisions
  Independent cities0
  Component cities
  Municipalities
  Barangays576
  DistrictsLegislative districts of La Union
Time zoneUTC+8 (PHT)
IDD:area code+63(0)72
ISO 3166 codePH-LUN
Languages
Websitewww.launion.gov.ph

La Union (Tagalog pronunciation: [ ʔʊˈɲon]), officially the Province of La Union (Ilocano: Probinsia ti La Unión; Pangasinan: Luyag na La Unión; Kankanaey: Probinsya di La Unión; Ibaloi: Probinsya ni La Unión; Tagalog: Lalawigan ng La Unión; Spanish: Provincia de La Unión), is a coastal province in the Philippines situated in the Ilocos Region on the island of Luzon. The province's capital, the City of San Fernando, is the most populous city in La Union and serves as the regional center of the Ilocos Region.

Bordered by Ilocos Sur to its north, Benguet to its east, and Pangasinan to its south, with the West Philippine Sea to the west, La Union is located 273 kilometers (170 miles) north of Metro Manila and 57 kilometers (35 miles) northwest of Baguio City. The province spans an area of 1,497.70 square kilometers (578.27 square miles). As of the 2020 census, La Union had a population of 822,352, resulting in a density of 550 inhabitants per square kilometer or 1,400 persons per square mile. The province had 538,730 registered voters as of 2022. The province official language is Iloco (Ilocano), as declared by the provincial government of La Union.

La Union is renowned for its picturesque coastal towns, popular surfing spots, and pristine beaches. The province is rich in natural and cultural attractions, offering activities such as red clay pottery, grape picking, loom weaving, and pilgrimage tours to historic churches, alongside beautiful waterfalls and eco-tours. The population includes both the Ilocano people from the lowlands and the Cordilleran (Igorot) people from the highlands, contributing to its diverse cultural heritage.