How to Pronounce Cagayan

Meaning and Context

Cagayan is a province located in the northeastern tip of the island of Luzon in the Philippines, forming the expansive Cagayan Valley region alongside neighboring provinces. Officially designated as a province in 1581, it is renowned for its stunning and diverse natural attractions, from the majestic Callao Cave and the underground Pinacanauan River to the powerful Tuguegarao waterfalls and the pristine beaches of Palaui Island, a protected national marine reserve. The province serves as a vital ecotourism and adventure tourism destination, offering activities like spelunking, trekking, and river rafting along the mighty Cagayan River, the longest and largest river in the Philippines. Its capital, Tuguegarao City, acts as the regional center and gateway for travelers exploring the area's rich historical sites, including centuries-old Spanish colonial churches. The region's fertile lands also make it a significant agricultural hub, often referred to as the country's "Corn Granary."

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The spelling "Cagayan" is standardized and almost universally used for the province. However, common misspellings and typographical errors often arise from phonetic interpretations or keyboard slips. Frequent incorrect variations include "Cagayan" (doubling the 'g'), "Cagayan" (substituting 'y' for 'g'), and "Cagayan" (omitting the second 'a'). Another occasional error is "Cagayan Valley," which correctly refers to the broader administrative region (Region II) that contains the province, but is sometimes mistakenly used interchangeably with the province name itself. In historical contexts, one might encounter older Spanish-era spellings, but "Cagayan" remains the sole correct modern English and Filipino orthography for the political and geographical entity.

Example Sentences

Travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure often head to Cagayan to explore its extensive network of limestone caves and powerful river systems.

The provincial government of Cagayan has invested heavily in promoting sustainable ecotourism to highlight its natural wonders without compromising their integrity.

After a day of spelunking in Callao Cave, visitors can savor the local delicacy, carabao milk pastillas, in Tuguegarao City.

The annual Aggao Nac Cagayan festival celebrates the province's founding and cultural heritage with vibrant street dances and agricultural displays.

Research into the prehistoric human remains found in the Peñablanca cave complex continues to solidify Cagayan's importance in understanding early human migration in Southeast Asia.

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