Historical Background

In 1663, a Spanish Decree changed the name of the province of Ibalon, which used to cover the entire Bicol area, to Albay. Subsequently, Gov. Gen. Narciso de Claveria officially delineated the territories under Albay from Camarines. Albay further lost territorial jurisdiction over some towns by ceding them to the new province of Sorsogon in 1894; by the separation of Masbate as a separate province in 1846; and by the creation of Catanduanes into another province in October 1945.

Major Industries

Agriculture still accounts for the largest share in total production and employment. Of the total 6,369 manufacturing establishments of varied sizes in the Bicol Region, half is located in Albay.

On large-scale manufacturing industries, 48.6% are operating in Albay. Handicrafts is the major source of rural income. It continuous to provide fairly large share in the small-scale industries of the province.

On agriculture, coconut, rice, abaca and corn are its major crops.

Burias Pass, Albay Gulf, Tabaco Bay, Ticao Pass, Cagraray Pass, Pangasinan Bay are the major fishing rounds. They abound in commercial species of fishes such as, round scads, tuna, signid, big-eye, anchovy and mackerel.