The municipality of Abulug lies between the municipalities of Ballesteros and Pamplona on the Northwestern part of Cagayan along the China Sea. Tulug, the original name of Abulug had been a flourishing fishing village long before Don Juan Salcedo sailed to the mouth of Abulug River in 1572. In 1629, the name "tulug" was changed into Abulug, including two barangays of Totol and Capitana.

It is a typical Ybanag town. The immigrating Ilocanos had contributed to large extent to the progress of the town.

Silk weaving at one time flourished in Abulug but with the abdication of Spanish rule and the absence of Spanish friars who introduced the industry, silk culture, has been totally forgotten.

Its important agricultural products are rice, vegetable and industrial products are lumber and fish. Its native craft, cottage and trade are mat-weaving, pottery, nipa shingle and native winemaking.