| |
NEGROS ORIENTAL GENERAL INFORMATION |
|
| |
| Negros Oriental (also called Oriental Negros) is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region. It occupies the southeast half of the island of Negros, with Negros Occidental comprising the northwestern half. It also includes Apo Island a popular dive site for both local and foreign tourists. Negros Oriental faces Cebu to the east across the Tañon Strait and Siquijor to the southeast. The primary spoken language is Cebuano, and the predominant religion is Catholicism. Dumaguete City is the capital, seat of government, and most populous city. |
| |
| GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT NEGROS ORIENTAL |
|
| |
|
Region: Central Visayas (Region VII)
Capital: Dumaguete City
Founded: March 10, 1917
Population: 2000 census—1,126,061 (20th largest) Density—208 per km² (41st highest)
Area: 5,402.3 km² (14th largest)
Divisions: Highly urbanized cities—0 Component cities—5 Municipalities—20 Barangays—557 Congressional districts—3
Languages: Cebuano, Ilonggo |
|
| |
|
| |
GEOGRAPHY |
| |
|
|
Negros Oriental occupies the southeast half of the island of Negros, with Negros Occidental comprising the western half. It has a total land area of 5,402.30 km².[5] A chain of rugged mountains separates Negros Oriental from Negros Occidental. Unlike its sister province, which belongs to the Western Visayas region, Negros Oriental belongs to the Central Visayas region. Negros Oriental faces Cebu to the east across the Tañon Strait and Siquijor to the southeast. The Sulu Sea borders it to the south. The province's topography is characterized by low, grooved mountain ranges which mostly lie close to the shoreline. At the southern end of the province is the Cuernos de Negros (Horns of Negros) stratovolcano which rises to a height of 1864 meters. At the northern end of the province is Mount Canlaon, the highest peak in the island with a height of 2465 meters. There are a few plateaus in the interior to the west of the province. |
| |
|
| CLIMATE |
|
| |
|
| Negros Oriental has a tropical climate. Because of the mountain range running from the north to the south, the province has two types of climatic conditions.[6] The eastern part of the province is characterized by unpronounced maximum rainfall with a short dry season lasting from one to three months. The western half of the province is characterized by a distinct wet season and dry season. Also because of the mountain range, the province is sheltered from the full impact of typhoons originating from the southwest. However, the northern part of the province (from Canlaon City to La Libertad) is in the path of typhoons from the east. |
| |
|
| ECONOMY |
|
| |
|
| With its vast fertile land resources, Negros Oriental's major industry is agriculture. The primary crops are sugarcane, corn, coconut and rice. In the coastal area, fishing is the main source of income. People are also involved in cattle ranches, fish ponds and logging. There are also mineral deposits like gold, silver and copper. Negros Oriental is also becoming a notable tourist destination in the Visayas. |
|
| |
|
| HISTORY |
|
| |
|
| Negros Island, the fourth largest island in the Philippines, is believed to have once been part of the island of Mindanao, but was cut off either by continental drift or the rising waters at the end of the ice age.[1] Among the early inhabitants of the island were dark-skinned natives belonging to the Negrito ethnic group, as well as the Chinese and Malays.[2] They called the island "Buglas", a native word which is believed to mean "cut off".[1] Spanish explorers on the expedition of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi first came to the island in April 1565. Legaspi dropped anchor in Bohol and sent his men to scout the island.[2] Because of the strong currents of the Tañon Strait between Cebu and Negros, they were carried for several days and forced to land on the western side of the island. They reported seeing many dark-skinned inhabitants, and they called the island "Negros" ("Negro" means "black" in Spanish). The island was sparsely settled at the time, except for a few coastal settlements including Ilog and Binalbagan. In 1571, Legaspi assigned encomiendas on the island to 13 of his men.[2] Augustinian friars began the Christianization of the island the next year. The island was administered as part of the jurisdiction of Oton until 1734 when it became a military district, and Ilog became the capital of the island. The capital was transferred to Himamaylan in 1795. Negros became a politico-militarty province in 1856 and the capital was transferred to Bacolod. Due to its proximity to Mindanao, the southeastern coast of Negros was in constant threat from Moro marauders looking for slaves, and watchtowers were built to protect the Christian villages. The moro raids and Negros Oriental's far distance from the Negros capital in Bacolod led 13 Recollect priests to petition for the division of the island in July 1876.[2] The island of Negros was divided into the provinces of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental by a royal decree executed by Governor General Valeriano Weyler on January 1, 1890. Dumaguete City was assigned capital of Negros Oriental. In 1892, Siquijor became a part of Negros Oriental, having previously been administered by Spain under the politico-military province of Bohol. The Philippine Revolution reached the province in 1898, disrupting government fuctions with bloodshed. Revolutionary troops in the province were composed mostly of farm laborers who were organized and led by Don Diego de la Vina. The Spanish government in Dumaguete was overthrown on November 24, 1898. The island's two provinces united to form the Cantonal Republic of Negros, which was a separate government from the more familiar Malolos Republic established in Luzon.[3] However, the short-lived republc was extinguished by the United States in 1901, and a civil government was established with Demetrio Larena as governor. The American government made Siquijor a "sub-province" of Negros Oriental. Negros Oriental became a province under the American civil government on March 10, 1917. In 1934 Negros Oriental became a corregimiento, a separate military district. Under the American colonial government, transportation infrastructure was developed with improvements of roads and new bridges.[4] During World War II, the province was invaded by Japanese forces and many residents were forced to flee to the mountains to escape. Negros Island was taken back from the Japanese on August 6, 1945. On September 17, 1971, Siquijor finally became an independent province by virtue of Republic Act No. 6396. |
| |
| NEGROS ORIENTAL HOTELS AND RESORTS |
| |
| Standard Hotels |
Budgetive Hotels |
|
|
|
| Resorts |
|
|
|
.:: Travel Outdoors
.:: Map View
|
