Каралес муниципалитеті: Филиппиннің Илойло провинциясы

Municipality in Iloilo, Philippines

Carles, officially the Municipality of Carles (, ), is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 72,637 people. Located on Panay island, it is known for its rich fishing grounds, and it is also known for having Sicogon Island, which is one of the main tourist spots of Iloilo.

Settlers first arrived circa 1846 and cleared an area at Punta Bulakawe, north of the current poblacion. Following an influx of settlers from Aklan and Antique, the settlement fell under Pueblo de Pilar, Capiz. About 10 years later, the settlement was transferred to the lowland and renamed to Badiang. In 1860, the first attempt was made to convert the barrio into a municipality but the provincial government of Capiz refused. Because of this refusal, the town leaders petitioned the governor of Iloilo, Governor Jose Maria Carles, who approved the petition. On July 1, 1862, the new pueblo was inaugurated and renamed to Carles, in honor to the governor. First Gobernadorcillo was Alenjandro Buaya.

Carles was heavily damaged by Typhoon Haiyan. Buildings were destroyed and more than 1,200 people were displaced by the storm.

Carles is the northernmost municipality in the province and is from the provincial capital, Iloilo City, from Roxas City, and from Kalibo.

Eighteen of Carles's barangays are spread out over fourteen islands and minor islets. The islands under Carles's political jurisdiction are:

In the 2020 census, the population of Carles, Iloilo, was 72,637 people, with a density of .

Carles is a significant center for commercial fishing, so much so that it carries the name 'Alaska of the Philippines' reference to the area's marine resources. The reason for this is that Carles' water territory lies in the Visayan Sea triangle where the islands of Gigantes are located. As part of the Coral Triangle, these islands contain some of the most biologically diverse marine resources, and one of the most productive fishing grounds in the country. The imaginary triangle extends from the provinces of Iloilo, Negros, Cebu, Samar, and Masbate. This triangle is a part of the "Sulu Sulaweisi Triangle" of the Sulu Sea and neighboring Indonesia where a large concentration of marine organisms coupled with climate conditions support a massive marine ecosystem. Various commercial species are harvested along Carles' waters, including mackerel, barracuda, sardines, shad, pompano, grouper, squid, cuttlefish, shrimp, prawns, shells, seaweed and others.

'Bancal Fish Port' is the main fish landing port in the municipality and is where fish catches from Iloilo, other Panay provinces, Masbate and Romblon are unloaded daily.

One tourist destination in Western Visayas is the Islas de Gigantes or Higantes Group of Islands located in the second class municipality of Carles in northern Iloilo. The Gigantes group of islands in Carles, Iloilo are endowed with limestone forests, caves, and white sand beaches. It is classified as a high urgent conservation priority under the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Priority Setting Program (PBCPP). It is home to a variety of species, two of them endemic: the Gekkonid Lizard (Gekko gigante) and the Island Forest Frog (Platymantis insulatus). Sicogon was a popular tourist destination during the 1970s, known for its clear waters and white sand beach lined with coconut trees. However, due to the situation caused by martial law, development stalled and Sicogon's popularity faded in favor of Boracay Island.

Located at Bancal Port, Carles Iloilo is a Tourist assistance, boat reservation, registration and payment center, they also regulates the rates and accredited the boats for the Gigantes tours. souvenir items can also be found in the center.