Surigao del Norte

Surigao del Norte
Province
Province of Surigao del Norte

Surigao del Norte provincial capitol

Surigao del Norte provincial capitol

Flag
Seal

Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 9°40′N 125°38′E / 9.67°N 125.63°E / 9.67; 125.63Coordinates: 9°40′N 125°38′E / 9.67°N 125.63°E / 9.67; 125.63
Country Philippines
Region Caraga (Region XIII)
Founded June 19, 1960
Capital Surigao City
Government
 • Type Sangguniang Panlalawigan
 • Governor Sol F. Matugas (Liberal)
 • Vice Governor Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr. (Liberal)
Area[1]
 • Total 1,972.93 km2 (761.75 sq mi)
Area rank 62nd out of 81
Population (2015 census)[2]
 • Total 485,088
 • Rank 57th out of 81
 • Density 250/km2 (640/sq mi)
 • Density rank 38th out of 81
Divisions
 • Independent cities 0
 • Component cities
 • Municipalities
 • Barangays 335
 • Districts 1st and 2nd districts of Surigao del Norte
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 8400–8425
IDD : area code  +63 (0)86
ISO 3166 code PH-SUN
Spoken languages
Website surigaodelnorte.gov.ph

Surigao del Norte (Surigaonon: Probinsya nan Surigao del Norte; Cebuano: Amihanang Surigao; Filipino: Hilagang Surigao) is a province in the Philippines located in the Caraga region of Mindanao. Its capital is Surigao City.[3] The province comprises two major islands—Siargao and Bucas Grande—in the Philippine Sea, and a small region at the northeastern tip of Mindanao. This mainland portion borders Agusan del Norte, and Surigao del Sur to the south.

Surigao del Norte is the second northernmost of the Mindanao provinces and is an important transportation hub between Visayas and Mindanao. Numerous ferries cross the Surigao Strait between Surigao and the island of Leyte carrying vehicles and passengers between Liloan in Southern Leyte and Surigao City.

History

Further information: Surigao (province)
An old map showing the current territories of the province as part of the province of Surigao
Map of the historical province of Surigao in 1918

The area of Surigao del Norte was referred to as "Caraga" during the Spanish colonial period. The seat of government was at Tandag until it was transferred to the town of Surigao in 1848. Surigao became a military district of Mindanao in 1860.[4]

On September 18, 1960, through Republic Act 2786 dated June 19, 1960, the province of Surigao was divided into Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.[5] The town of Surigao became a city on August 30, 1970 pursuant to RA 6134.[6]

Dinagat Islands had been a part of the First District of Surigao del Norte until becoming a province on its own on December 2, 2006, with the approval of Republic Act No. 9355,[7] the Charter of the Province of Dinagat Islands, in a plebiscite. Between February 2010 and March 2011, the islands were part again of Surigao del Norte after declaring RA 9355 unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, then were reinstated as a separate province.

Geography

Surigao del Norte is an archipelago province situated at the rim of the Asian continental shelf. It is located at the northeastern tip of Mindanao and faces the Philippine Trench. The province is bounded by the Dinagat Islands on the north, east by the Philippine Sea, south by the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Sur, and on the west by the Surigao Strait.

The Philippine Sea situated east of mainland Surigao del Norte near Placer
Surigao del Norte landscape

The province, with an area of 1,972.93 square kilometres (761.75 sq mi),[1] comprises the mainland situated at the northeastern tip of Mindanao and several offshore islands, the largest of which include Siargao and Bucas Grande. The mainland is generally mountainous.[4]

The province has many caves and tunnels in its islands. Some are half-submerged in water most of the time and could be accessed only during low tides like the Sohoton Cove at Bucas Grande Island.

Its biggest islands are usually mountainous and rich in minerals. Nonoc Island has one of the world's largest deposits of nickel. The smaller ones either rest on sand and gravel or have a limestone base bonded by boulders, reefs and sandbars. Some islets which include those in Del Carmen in Siargao Island are a cluster of rock formations jutting out from the sea covered with shrubs and coconut trees.

Climate

Surigao del Norte has no pronounced dry season, receiving maximum rainfall from November to January.[4]

Climate data for Surigao del Norte
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 29.2
(84.6)		 29.8
(85.6)		 30.8
(87.4)		 31.9
(89.4)		 32.6
(90.7)		 32.6
(90.7)		 32.3
(90.1)		 32.5
(90.5)		 32.5
(90.5)		 31.9
(89.4)		 30.6
(87.1)		 29.9
(85.8)		 31.38
(88.48)
Average low °C (°F) 23.4
(74.1)		 23.6
(74.5)		 24.0
(75.2)		 24.7
(76.5)		 25.2
(77.4)		 25.0
(77)		 24.9
(76.8)		 24.9
(76.8)		 24.8
(76.6)		 24.7
(76.5)		 24.3
(75.7)		 23.9
(75)		 24.45
(76.01)
Average rainy days 24 18 17 13 9 12 11 10 12 15 19 21 181
Source: Storm247 [8]

Administrative divisions

Surigao del Norte comprises 20 municipalities and 1 component city, organized into two legislative districts and further subdivided into 335 barangays.

  •  †  Provincial capital and component city
  •      Municipality
City or municipality[A] District[1] Population ±% p.a. Area[1] Density Brgy. Coordinates[B]
(2015)[2] (2010)[9] km2 sq mi /km2 /sq mi
Alegria 2nd 3.3% 16,011 14,539 1.85% 65.28 25.20 250 650 12 9°28′06″N 125°34′36″E / 9.4684°N 125.5768°E / 9.4684; 125.5768 (Alegria)
Bacuag 2nd 3.0% 14,486 13,211 1.77% 95.85 37.01 150 390 9 9°36′30″N 125°38′18″E / 9.6084°N 125.6382°E / 9.6084; 125.6382 (Bacuag)
Burgos 1st 0.8% 4,034 4,058 −0.11% 19.27 7.44 210 540 6 10°01′05″N 126°04′27″E / 10.0181°N 126.0742°E / 10.0181; 126.0742 (Burgos)
Claver 2nd 6.8% 32,773 23,702 6.36% 322.60 124.56 100 260 14 9°34′23″N 125°43′57″E / 9.5730°N 125.7326°E / 9.5730; 125.7326 (Claver)
Dapa 1st 4.9% 23,787 23,492 0.24% 91.90 35.48 260 670 29 9°45′25″N 126°03′05″E / 9.7569°N 126.0515°E / 9.7569; 126.0515 (Dapa)
Del Carmen 1st 3.8% 18,392 17,136 1.36% 151.68 58.56 120 310 20 9°52′07″N 125°58′14″E / 9.8687°N 125.9705°E / 9.8687; 125.9705 (Del Carmen)
General Luna 1st 3.5% 16,771 15,014 2.13% 41.30 15.95 410 1,100 19 9°47′00″N 126°09′23″E / 9.7834°N 126.1563°E / 9.7834; 126.1563 (General Luna)
Gigaquit 2nd 4.3% 20,864 18,784 2.02% 138.11 53.32 150 390 13 9°35′38″N 125°41′51″E / 9.5938°N 125.6976°E / 9.5938; 125.6976 (Gigaquit)
Mainit 2nd 5.5% 26,741 25,596 0.84% 107.76 41.61 250 650 21 9°32′16″N 125°31′21″E / 9.5378°N 125.5225°E / 9.5378; 125.5225 (Mainit)
Malimono 2nd 3.7% 18,054 18,316 −0.27% 80.13 30.94 230 600 14 9°37′06″N 125°24′06″E / 9.6184°N 125.4018°E / 9.6184; 125.4018 (Malimono)
Pilar 1st 2.0% 9,752 9,456 0.59% 77.11 29.77 130 340 15 9°51′50″N 126°06′01″E / 9.8638°N 126.1002°E / 9.8638; 126.1002 (Pilar)
Placer 2nd 5.6% 27,094 24,600 1.86% 61.29 23.66 440 1,100 20 9°39′26″N 125°36′05″E / 9.6573°N 125.6015°E / 9.6573; 125.6015 (Placer)
San Benito 1st 1.1% 5,404 5,505 −0.35% 45.63 17.62 120 310 6 9°57′28″N 126°00′24″E / 9.9578°N 126.0067°E / 9.9578; 126.0067 (San Benito)
San Francisco (Anao-Aon) 2nd 3.0% 14,552 13,335 1.68% 56.72 21.90 260 670 11 9°46′40″N 125°25′26″E / 9.7779°N 125.4239°E / 9.7779; 125.4239 (San Francisco)
San Isidro 1st 1.5% 7,325 6,973 0.94% 42.03 16.23 170 440 12 9°56′11″N 126°05′13″E / 9.9365°N 126.0869°E / 9.9365; 126.0869 (San Isidro)
Santa Monica (Sapao) 1st 1.8% 8,808 8,715 0.20% 39.19 15.13 220 570 11 10°01′08″N 126°02′11″E / 10.0188°N 126.0364°E / 10.0188; 126.0364 (Santa Monica)
Sison 2nd 2.7% 13,155 11,377 2.80% 54.70 21.12 240 620 12 9°39′32″N 125°31′43″E / 9.6588°N 125.5286°E / 9.6588; 125.5286 (Sison)
Socorro 1st 4.6% 22,314 20,304 1.81% 114.45 44.19 190 490 14 9°37′06″N 125°57′54″E / 9.6183°N 125.9650°E / 9.6183; 125.9650 (Socorro)
Surigao City † 2nd 31.8% 154,137 140,540 1.77% 245.30 94.71 630 1,600 54 9°47′16″N 125°29′30″E / 9.7878°N 125.4916°E / 9.7878; 125.4916 (Surigao City)
Tagana-an 2nd 3.4% 16,428 15,366 1.28% 77.29 29.84 210 540 14 9°41′50″N 125°34′57″E / 9.6973°N 125.5826°E / 9.6973; 125.5826 (Tagana-an)
Tubod 2nd 2.9% 14,206 12,569 2.36% 45.34 17.51 310 800 9 9°33′20″N 125°34′08″E / 9.5556°N 125.5688°E / 9.5556; 125.5688 (Tubod)
Total 485,088 442,588 1.76% 1,972.93 761.75 250 650 335 (see GeoGroup box)
  1. ^ Former names are italicized.
  2. ^ Coordinates mark the city/town center, and are sortable by latitude.

People and culture

Surigao is home to the Mamanwa ethnic tribe. Their dances are showcased in a local festival called "Bonok-Bonok", held at the feast of San Nicolas de Tolentino which is held annually on September 10. The Bonok-Bonok depicts the native folks' merry-making to show gratitude to God for bountiful harvest and good health.

A collection of ancient archaeological diggings like burial coffins, jars and Chinese ceramics unearthed in Panhutungan, Placer is on public display at the Surigaonon Heritage Mini-Museum located at the Boulevard in Surigao City.

Demographics

Population census of
Surigao del Norte
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 327,113—    
1995 340,043+0.73%
2000 374,465+2.09%
2007 409,468+1.24%
2010 442,588+2.87%
2015 485,088+1.76%
(Data excludes Dinagat Islands that were part of Surigao del Norte until 2006).
Source: National Statistics Office[2][9][10]

The population of Surigao del Norte in the 2015 census was 485,088 people,[2] with a density of 250 inhabitants per square kilometre or 650 inhabitants per square mile.

The inhabitants of the province is mostly of pure/mixed Austronesian stock, with some people of Chinese and Arab heritage. Spanish and American ancestries are also evident, albeit a minor percentage.

Some 95.80% of the people speak Surigaonon as a parent language. Cebuano and its dialect Boholano are also present. Waray-Waray is spoken by a small percentage. A majority are able to speak Filipino and English as second languages. There are also speakers of Kamayo and Manobo languages, although of minor percentages.

Religion

The dominant religion is Roman Catholicism with 94 percent adherence. Other religions include Aglipayan and some Protestant Churches.

Coconut trees in the hills west of Tubod

Flora and fauna

Mangroves are the major vegetation in the coastal areas of the province, which form interminable marine forests covering 175 square kilometres (68 sq mi) along the coasts of the mainland and the islands of Siargao and Bucas Grande. The province is host to a variety of marine ecosystems like the lush seagrass beds and coral reefs which are relatively healthy and intact, supporting a rich diversity of marine flora and fauna.

Over 23 different species are caught the whole year round. Marlin, tuna, lapu-lapu, mollusks, crabs, even squids, stingrays and octopuses can be bought from fish vendors and fishermen.

The unique "magcono" (ironwood) forests of Surigao del Norte are one of the watersheds most productive resources. By its nature, it is slow growing and adapted to a mineralized soil.

Tourist attractions

Surigao City, the provincial capital, is dubbed as the "Gateway to Mindanao". The ferry landing terminal in Lipata links Mindanao to Luzon through Eastern Visayas. It annually showcases its distinct cultural heritage through the Bonok-Bonok Maradjao Karadjao Festival.

On the northern side of the province are Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, known for their long stretch of sugar-fine beaches, vast mangrove forest, and deep waters teeming with marine life.

The Panhutongan and Amoslog archeological excavations in Placer would give a glimpse of the origins of the province and its people.

Surigao City Airport 
Songkoy Spring 
Beach in Siargao Island 

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Province: Surigao del Norte". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Census of Population (2015): Highlights of the Philippine Population 2015 Census of Population (Report). PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  3. ↑ http://www.philippinecountry.com/provcitmun.html#snorte
  4. 1 2 3 Lancion, Jr., Conrado M.; cartography by de Guzman, Rey (1995). "The Provinces; Surigao del Norte". Fast Facts about Philippine Provinces (The 2000 Millenium ed.). Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines: Tahanan Books. p. 154. ISBN 971-630-037-9. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "Republic Act No. 2786 - An Act to Create the Provinces of Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. 19 June 1960. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  6. ↑ "Republic Act No. 6134 - An Act Creating the City of Surigao". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. 31 August 1970. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  7. ↑ "Republic Act No. 9355; An Act Creating the Province of Dinagat Islands" (PDF). Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  8. ↑ "Weather forecast for Surigao del Norte, Philippines". Storm247.com. StormGeo AS, Nordre Nøstekaien 1, N-5011 Bergen, Norway: StormGeo AS. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  9. 1 2 Census of Population and Housing (2010): Population and Annual Growth Rates for The Philippines and Its Regions, Provinces, and Highly Urbanized Cities (PDF) (Report). NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  10. ↑ "CARAGA". Census of Population and Housing (2010): Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay (Report). NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
Dinagat Islands
Hiniyuan Passage
Bohol Sea Philippine Sea
   Surigao del Norte  
Agusan del Norte / Surigao del Sur
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