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Cordillera (CAR / Cordillera Administrative Region)

By Tim Kehres
Last Updated: April 23, 2024

The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is also known as the Cordillera Region and Cordillera.  It is the only landlocked region in the country, bordered by the Ilocos Region to the west and southwest, and by the Cagayan Valley Region to the north, east, and southeast. It is the least populous region in the Philippines and is made up of six provinces: Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province.  The regional center is Baguio city.

This mountainous region, positioned in the Cordillera Central mountain range, includes Mount Pulag, the highest mountain in Luzon.  It can be difficult to get around due to isolated communities and terrains of mainly steep slopes and mountain ranges.  It is home to many ethnic tribes commonly referred to as the Igorot.  Popular activities in the region include hiking, caving and swimming in waterfalls.

Rice terraces can be found through the region.  The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras are a World Heritage Site consisting of a complex of rice terraces across the CAR. They were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995, the first-ever to be included in the cultural landscape category of the World Heritage List.

The regional center of Baguio is known as the ‘Summer Capital of the Philippines’ due to its cooler climate.  The CAR is one of the coolest regions in the Philippines, with an average daily high of 24°C and night time low of 15-17°C.

Popular Destinations

Banaue Rice Terraces Coming Soon Located in Ifugao province in Northern Luzon, the Banaue rice terraces are often referred to as the eight wonder of the world. These impressive terraces were created by hand over a period of about 2,000 years. Home for the Ifugao people this is truly an amazing place to…

Provinces

Abra Province Coming soon. Popular Destinations Cities Other Abra Province Related References Bangued town proper, Abra Capitol.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
Apayao Province Coming soon. Popular Destinations Cities Other Apayao Province Related References Solsona-Apayao Road.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
Benguet Province Coming soon. Popular Destinations Cities Other Benguet Province Related References Strawberries, La Trinidad, Benguet.jpg - Shubert Ciencia / Flickr
Ifugao Province Coming soon. Popular Destinations Cities Other Ifugao Province Related References Banaue Philippines Ifugao-Tribesman-01.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
Kalinga Province Coming soon. Popular Destinations Cities Other Kalinga Province Related References Kalinga-1.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
Mountain Province Coming soon. Popular Destinations Cities Other Mountain Province Related References Bontoc top view from terraces.jpg - Wikipedia Commons

Cities

Baguio Coming soon. References View of Burnham Park from SM City Baguio.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Other Cordillera Related

Cordillera Galleries The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is also known as the Cordillera Region and Cordillera.  It is the only landlocked region in the country, bordered by the Ilocos Region to the west and southwest, and by the Cagayan Valley Region to the north, east, and southeast. Rice terraces can be found…

References