Surigao

          Surigao refers to several closely related places in Mindanao island group in the Philippines:

• The former Surigao province, original Spanish era district and chartered province on May 15, 1901 (Philippine Commision Act 127), comprising what are now the provinces of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Island 
  •  Surigao del Norteprovince
  • Surigao del Sur province
•  Surigao,capital city of Surigao del Norte
•  Surigao Airport(IATA: SUG), an airport serving the general area of Surigao City and the province of Surigao del Norte
•  Surigaonon language, sometimes known as Surigao language
• Surigaonon people, sometimes known as Surigaos
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  Surigao del Norte is a province of the Phiippines  located in the Caraga region in Mindanao.. Its capital is Surigao City.The province consists of two major islands—Siargao and Bucas Grande in the Philippine Sea , and a small region at the northernmost tip of the island 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.
  Mangroves are the major vegetation in the coastal areas of the province. The salt-water loving trees 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 also boasts of 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.
  Many who are interested in game fishing and spearfishing will enjoy its bountiful seas along the tuna route. Over 23 different species are caught the whole year round. Marlin, tuna, lapu-lapu, mollusks, crabs, even squids, stingrays and octopuses can be bought fresh and cheap from the fish vendors and fishermen.
  The unique "magcono" (ironwood) forests of Surigao del Norte are still one of the watersheds most productive resources. By its nature, it is slow growing and adapted to a mineralized soil. It must be carefully managed for sustained productivity.
  The province also 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 like those in Del Carmen in Siargao Island are actually nothing more than a cluster of rock formations jutting out from the sea crowned with shrubs and coconut trees. There are also springs, lagoons, caves, waterfalls, mangroves, marshes and whirlpools which are more appealing to all nature lovers.
  Surigao del Norte is a mosaic of islands at the rim of the Asian continental shelf. It is perched at the northeastern tip of Mindanao and faces that abyssal canyon known as the Philippine Trench.It is bounded by the Dinagat Islands on the north, east by the vast Pacific Ocean. south by the Provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Sur, and on the west by the historic Surigao Strait.
  The province has an area of 197,293 hectares (487,520 acres) which is roughly equivalent to 9.67 percent of the total land area of Northern Mindanao. It embraces within its domain 27 municipalities and a component city.
  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 in full regalia its distinct cultural heritage through the Bonok-Bonok Maradjao Karadjao" Festival. It is a provincial city that offers a respite from the busting metropolitan life.
  On the Northern side of the province are Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands. These island paradises are famous for their long stretch of sugar-fine beaches, perfect surf, vast mangrove forest, and deep waters teeming with a plethora of marine life.
  The Panhutongan and Amoslog archeological excavations in Placer would give a glimpse of the origins of the province and its people. Such is the image of Surigao del Norte. It is a montage of history and unspoiled beauty. An untouched eden warmed by smiles of people with unquenching thirst for an exuberant lifestyle.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Surigao del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the CARAGA region in Mindanao. Its capital is Tandag City. Surigao del Sur is located at the eastern coast of Mindanao and faces the Phiippine Sea.
  The Province of Surigao del Sur is the 56th Philippine province and is located along the northeastern coast of Mindanao facing the Pacific Ocean between 125°40' to 126°20' east longitudes and 7°55' and 9°20' north latitudes. It is bounded on the northwest by the province of  Surigao del Norte on the southeast by Davao Oriental on its eastern side by the Philippine Sea, and on the west and southwest by the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur.
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Land area

  The land area of the province is 493,270 hectares (1,218,900 acres),^[1] representing 27.75 percent of the total land area of Caraga Administrative Region and about 5.14 percent and 1.74 percent of the total land area of Mindanao and Philippines, respectively. It is elongated in shape extending from the northeastern part of Carrascal to the southernmost municipality of Lingig. It is approximately 300 kilometres (190 mi) in length and 50 kilometres (31 mi) at its widest point which runs from Cagwait to San Miguel. Municipal-wise, San Miguel has the biggest land area accounting for 11.08 percent of the total provincial land area while Municipality of Bayabas has the smallest constituting about 0.64 percent only.
  Of the 5,230.50 sq. kilometers land, only 1,703.72 sq. kilometers or 32.22 percent are classified as alienable and disposable (A and D) while 3,583.523 sq. kilometers or 67.78 percent are forest land. Tagbina has the biggest share of alienable and disposable land with 234.21 sq. kilometers or about 56.51 percent of its land area followed by Hinatuan with 202.52 sq. kilometers or 63.56 percent of its land area.
  Out of the 3,583.523 sq. kilometers of forest land, 636.076 sq. kilometers are protection forest, 2,582.43 sq. kilometers production forest, 12.68 sq. kilometers are non-forest agriculture and 352.337 sq. kilometers are for non-forest mining. As of today, the province still has vast area of remaining old growth and mossy forest.
  
  
  
  

  Climate

  The province falls under Type II  climate of  the Philippines, characterized by rainfall distributed throughout the year, although there is a distinct rainy season which begins from the month of November and ends in March. However, the climatic behavior of the province for the past few years has shown variations wherein the onset of the rainy seasons no longer occurs on the usual time. Months with low rainfall are from July to October with September as the driest month. Wet months are from November to June with January as the wettest month.

  Subdivisions

  Surigao del Sur is subdivided into 17 municipalities and two cities. These municipalities are subdivided into 309 barangays and has two congressional districts.
  Cities:
  o   Tandag City
  o   Bislig City
  Municipalities:
  o   Barobo
  o   Bayabas
  o   Cagwait
  o   Cantilan
  o   Carmen
  o   Carrascal
  o   Cortes
  o   Hinatuan
  o   Lanuza
  o   Lianga
  o   Madrid
  o   Marihatag
  o   San Agustin
  o   San Miguel
  o   Tagbina
  o   Tago
  
  
  
  

  Mineral Resources

  Surigao del Sur is endowed with substantial quantities of metallic and non-metallic minerals. Among the metallic minerals are copper, gold, chromite, cobalt, nickel and lead zinc. The non-metallic minerals include limestone, coal and feldspar, clay diatomite/bentomite and coarse/fine aggregates. There are small and large scales mining activities in the province. One of the corporations operating in a large scale is the Marc Ventures Mining Development Corporation located at Carrascal and Cantilan operating in an area of 49.7389 sq. kilometers on gold mining. Another is the CTP Construction and Mining Corporation, also in Carrascal, which focus on gold and nickel mining in an area of 35.64 and 48.6916 sq. kilometers, respectively. The Carac-an Development Corporation, also in Carrascal, with an area of 506.3764 sq. kilometers Small scale mining activities are found in the municipalities of Barobo, Carmen and San Miguel.
  
  
  
  

  Demographics

  Surigao is home to the Mamanwa and Manobo tribe. Their dances are showcased in a local festival called "Sirong Festival", held especially during the town fiesta of Cantilan. The Sirong Festival depicts the early Christianization of the early Cantilangnons (the Mamanwas and Manobos) wherein the natives tried to defend their land against visayan invaders.
  The Mamanwas and Manubo, the ethnic tribe of Surigao, have been converted to Christianism long ago, during the early times of the Spanish conquest.
  
  
  
  

  Languages

  Surigaonon or/and Tandaganon is spoken in most part of Surigao del Sur (except in the City of Bislig, Municipalities of Barobo, Hinatuan, Lingig and Tagbina wherein most of the inhabitants are descendants of Cebuanos who migrated from Visayas who speak Cebuano and the natives who speak Kamayo a different language but distantly related to Surigaonon).
  Cebuano, Tagalog, and English are also widely spoken throughout the province.
  
  Coastal Fishing
  
  
  
  

  Economy

  Surigao del Sur is one of the supplier of agricultural items like, rice, banana and some tropical fruits. Copper, chromite and silver are also found here. Marine and aqua culture is very abundant in the province as well. It is one of the primary livelihood of the native people in the place as the province is well known for producing seafood and sea by-products.
  
  
  
  

  Tourism

  The Tinuy-an Falls, located in Burboanan, Bislig City.
  Bislig's main tourist attraction is the Tinuy-an Falls, known as the "Niagara Falls" of the Philippines. It is a white water curtain that flows in three levels about 55 meters high. Its critically acclaimed majestic and unique natural formation was once appeared in the International Travel Magazine. It is also known as the widest waterfalls in the Philippines.
  Surfing in Surigao del Sur is widely known and have been one of the local and tourist attractions. This extreme sport can be found in Cantilan and Lanuza. Another sport being played is the skimboarding in which several municipalities has been attracting tourists.