Being originally a part of the municipality of Mangaldan, Mapandan was also once called “balon baley” which means new town in the local vernacular.

The lands in the present location of the Poblacion were predominantly owned by the illustrious Aquino clan.

It was Leon Hilario Aquino who encouraged the people to flock to the place by subdividing the land of the Poblacion into a lot of uniform sixes and offering these for three to each family head.

Mapandan was temporarily returned to its mother town in 1905 due to the outbreak of an epidemic that greatly depleted its population and finances.

Dwarfed amidst the more known neighboring towns of Manaoag, Mangaldan, San Jacinto, and Sta.

Mapandan is a Hall of Famer for having the Pangasinan's cleanest, safest and greenest municipality (Category B).

Bordered by Mangaldan to the north, Manaoag to the east, and Santa Barbara to the west and southern part.

Mapandan, belonging to the third congressional district of the province of Pangasinan, 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.