Negros Oriental Province
occupies the southeastern portion of the Negros Island in the Visayas.
It is bounded on the north and west by the of province Negros Occidental,
on the east by Tanon Strait, and on the south by the Sulu sea.
BRIEF PROFILE |
Capital: |
Dumaguete City |
Land Area: |
5402 sq km |
Population: |
925 311 |
Cities: |
Bais, Bayawan, Canlaon, Dumaguete,
Tanjay |
Number of Towns: |
22 |
The land_______________________________
The province´s terrain consists of rolling hills, a few
plateaus, and mountain ranges.
Canlaon Volcano, the highest peak in the island of Negros, dominates
the northern end of the province. Another peak is Cuernos de los
Negros, whose base Dumaguete lies.
The eastern part of the province has a climate characterized
by no pronounced rainfall. The other half of the province has
distinct wet and dry seasons.
A Brief History___________________________
Negros Island was originally called "Buglas". The Spaniards
changed this to Negros because of the dark-skinned Negritos that
live there.
The province was administered from Cebu until 1734, when it was
made a military district of its own. In 1890, Negros Island was
divided into two politico-military provinces, Occidental and Oriental.
Negros Oriental officially became a province under the American
civil government on March 10, 1917.
The People______________________________
Negros Oriental is culturally-oriented towards Cebu. Most of
the people who inhabit the coastal towns speak Cebuano. Other
dialects spoken are Tagalog and Ilonggo.
Commerce and Industry_____________________
Like most people in the country, people in Negros Oriental are
involved in the agriculture industry. The principal products grown
are sugarcane, corn, coconut and rice.
The province has extensive marine resources, making fishing the
main source of livelihood in the coastal areas. It also has cattle
ranches and fish ponds, as well as a logging industry.
Metallic minerals found in the province include gold, silver,
and copper.
Among the popular cottage industries are woodcraft, ceramics,
shellcraft and mat-weaving.
Getting There and Away_____________________
Boats and fast ferries from Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, and Dipolog
depart for Dumaguete, the province's capital city, daily.
Buses serve the Bacolod-Dumaguete route several times daily.
Buses serve the Dumaguete-Cebu, Cebu -Dumaguete route several times daily.
Domestic flights are also available from Manila daily
via Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines.
Other Information__________________________
The Provincial Capitol in Dumaguete was built in 1924.
The Dumaguete Bell Tower, built in 1811, used to warn residents
of raiding pirates.
The Dumaguete Boulevard, along the sea, is a favorite place to
relax and hang-out. Several restaurants, disco bars, and hotels
line-up along it. It is also the site for food festivals, parades
and other government-sponsored occasions.
Silliman University in Dumaguete, founded by American missionaries
in 1901, is the only Protestant university in the country. Its 35-hectare
area is a bird sanctuary. Silliman Hall serves as a museum that
houses an extensive collection of locally-excavated artifacts, Sung
and Ming dynasty porcelain, and voodoo paraphernalia from Siquijor.
Its marine laboratory offers gear for diving and exploring the fish-rich
waters.
The twin Lakes Balinsasayao and Danao, northwest of Dumaguete,
are small adjacent crater lakes on an elevation of 300 meters amidst
the lush forest.
The Palimpinon Hot Springs, 10 kilometers from the city, come from
crevices along the Ocoy river bank.
Camp LookOut in Valencia town, west of Dumaguete, is in the foothills
of Cuernos de Negros or "Horns of Negros", so named because
of its twin peaks. This "Little Baguio" provides a panoramic
view of the Dumaguete port and the islands of Cebu and Siquijor.
Other places to see in Valencia are Tejeros, a fresh-water swimming
pool flanked by verdant hills, Karolan Twin Falls, and the Filipino-Japanese-American
Amity shrine in Sagbang, site of a fierce battle during World War
II.
Bais City, a city in the north, is famous for its whale-watching
activity. Further up north is Canlaon City, near the province´s
northern border on the eastern slopes of Canlaon Volcano, which
is dubbed as "The Baguio of the Visayas".
South of Dumaguete are the towns of Bacong, with its old coral
church facing the sea,and Dauin, with its centuries-old towers used
against marauding pirates. Zamboanguita is another town in the south,
from where a pump boat may be hired to Apo Island, a popular retreat
for scuba-divers.
Map of Negros Oriental Province | Properties in Negros Oriental
Properties for Rent in Negros Oriental |