The area of Atok was previously referred to by the natives and Spanish colonizers as Chontog, an Ibaloi word for "mountainous". Spanish military officials and missionaries arrived at Chontog in 1892, establishing precedencias (tax collection stations) in the area and its surrounding settlements.[5]
The Ibaloi phrase Nay patok shi Chontog, which means "on the mountain top", was later shortened to Atok.[6]
American period
During the American rule, Atok was established as one of the 19 townships of the province of Benguet, upon the issuance of Act No. 48 by the Philippine Commission on November 22, 1900.[7][8]
On August 13, 1908, Benguet was established as a sub-province of the newly created Mountain Province with the enactment of Act No. 1876. As a result, six townships of Benguet were abolished, but Atok remained a constituent town of Benguet sub-province.[8]
World War II
During the Second World War, Atok was the scene of fierce pitch battles between the military forces and guerrilla fighters of the 66th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Commonwealth Army, USAFIP-NL and the Japanese Imperial Army forces. The steep terrain along the Halsema road suited Filipino troops, the Philippine Commonwealth military, and guerrillas to mount ambushes against the Japanese forces. One of these battles took place in what is now “Guerrilla Saddle” located at km. 26, in barangay Caliking.[9]
Post-war era
On June 25, 1963, President Diosdado Macapagal issued Executive Order No. 42 converting eight (8) of the thirteen (13) towns (designated as municipal districts) of Benguet into regular municipalities. Atok was among them.[10]
On June 18, 1966, the sub-province of Benguet was separated from the old Mountain Province and was converted into a regular province. Atok remained to be a component municipality of the newly established province.[8][11]
Geography
Highest point in the Philippine Highway System marker along Halsema Highway
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 214.99 square kilometres (83.01 sq mi)[12] constituting 7.76% of the 2,769.08-square-kilometre- (1,069.15 sq mi) total area of Benguet.
The land is characterized as mountainous with many steep cliffs. It is home to Mt. Timbak, the third highest mountain in Luzon. The second highest point in the Philippine Highway System is also located at Barangay Paoay along Halsema Highway, at 2,255 metres (7,400 ft) above sea level.[9][13] It held formerly the title as the highest point in the Philippine Highway System since World War II until early 2019. This is after the validation and assessment conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways - Cordillera Administrative Region (DPWH-CAR) Regional Office last January 2019 declaring a new highest point at 2,428.66 meters (7968.045 feet) along the Kiangan-Tinoc-Buguias Road in Tinoc Town some 55 Kilometers east via Atok, Benguet.
Atok is 49 kilometres (30 mi) from Baguio, 44 kilometres (27 mi) from La Trinidad, and 299 kilometres (186 mi) from Manila.
Like most part of Benguet it has subtropical highland climate, during the cold months of the year, the municipality experiences very low temperatures reaching 9 degrees Celsius (48 degrees Fahrenheit). This causes common frost to settle on the ground, causing millions of damage to crops, but drawing tourists to the town.[15][16]
Barangays
Atok is politically subdivided into 8 barangays.[17] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
Atok, belonging to the lone congressional district of the province of Benguet, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.
^Lancion, Jr., Conrado M.; de Guzman, Rey (cartography) (1995). "The Provinces". Fast Facts about Philippine Provinces (The 2000 Millennium ed.). Makati, Metro Manila: Tahanan Books. pp. 38–39. ISBN971-630-037-9. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
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