About Aklan

Aklan is the oldest province in the Philippines, organized in 1213 by settlers from Borneo, as the Minuro it Akean to include what is now Capiz. It became an independent province when President Magsaysay signed into law on April 25, 1956, Republic Act 1414 separating Aklan from Capiz. Aklan was inaugurated as an independent province on November 8, 1956.

The province is composed of 17 municipalities, the largest in land area being Libacao, and the smallest, Lezo. Each municipality maintains a municipal government whose seat is the poblacion. It has 327 barangays.

Aklan encompasses the northwestern portion of Panay Island and nearby Boracay Island, both situated within the Visayas island group and having an estimated land area of 181, 789 hectares.

Most Akeanons derive livelihood from rice, corn, coconut, abaca, and pottery making. Fishponds and offshore fishing employ many persons in the province. What thrive in Aklan are small-scale industries like piña cloth weaving, abaca and bamboo handicraft.

Pottery making and pop rice (ampaw) making are local industries that have augmented the people's livelihood in this province. Residents living near the banks of the river make clay pots and jar the old-fashioned way, as others engage in pop rice making. Popularly known as "ampaw" in the local dialect, it is processed from cooked rice, dried, deep fried with oil and sugar, and then molded into the same sizes and dried slowly.