Dinagat Islands
Dinagat Islands ( Tagalog: Kapuluang Dinagat ) is a young province on the island of Dinagat and offshore islands. It is located in the northeast of the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.
The seat of the provincial government is located in the municipality of San Jose in the southwest of the island. The Governor was in 2010 Geraldine Ecleo - Villa novel, since it is Glenda B. Ecleo.
Geography
In the north of the island province extends the Leyte Gulf, the west lies the island of Leyte, across the street from Surigao. To the south, the province of Surigao del Norte, the northeastern part of the island of Mindanao with their associated islands Gaboc Channel and Nonoc. The islands Awasan Bay, Hanigad and Hikdop, also belonging to Surigao del Norte, located in the southwest. In the east, opens the Philippine Sea. 30 km in the south-east lie the islands of Siargao and Bucas Grande.
The province has a total area of 802.12 km ², including about 47 smaller islands that are under the legal administration of the municipalities.
The highest point is 929 m of Redondo in the north of the island of Dinagat.
The island province is a popular tourist destination and is characterized by numerous large and rugged rock formations, interesting caves, mountain lakes and bays. These are home to eagles, green turtles and a wide for gemstones.
Population, Language and Religion
Dinagat Islands has according to the 2007 census, a population of 120 813 people. The average population density is 150.6 inhabitants per km ².
The ethnic group of Surigaonon is the largest of the ethnic groups native to this area. Other ethnic groups in the province are Filipinos of Chinese, Japanese and Arabic origin. European and American influences in the culture of this area, but just as obvious.
About 95 % of people use the dialect Surigaonon. The languages Cebuano and Boholano are indeed provided with a Tausug accent, but just as common. Other minorities speak Waray - Waray and Tagalog, the most also speak English.
The dominant religion is Roman Catholic. Other common beliefs are the Aglipayan Church and Protestants. In the municipality of San Jose is the headquarters of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, Inc., a pseudo -Christian sect, which was founded in 1965 on the island of Dinagat.
The province is in the indigenous pre-Christian religion was considered " holy land " because here the was persuaded God of typhoons Da, the God of peace, to cease its attacks on the islands.
Administrative divisions
Dinagat Islands is divided into seven autonomous communities managed:
- Basilisa ( Rizal )
- Cagdianao
- Dinagat
- Libjo ( Albor )
- Loreto in the north, including the island Hibuson in the northwest
- San Jose in the southwest
- Tubajon
The municipalities are in turn subdivided into a total of 100 barangays ( districts ).
The province is assigned to a congressional district. It is the fifth province of the district of Caraga, the region XIII.
History
In 1609, the Caraga district was established by the Spanish colonial administration, which extended over the present provinces of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, the northern part of Davao Oriental and eastern Misamis Oriental.
In 1860 the entire island of Mindanao was divided into six districts. Surigao and Agusan included the territory between the bay of Butuan and the Bay of Caraga. Together they were initially designated as Ostdistrikt and from 1870 as " Distrito de Surigao ".
In 1901, Agusan was appointed under American rule to a subdivided commandant of Surigao with the name Butuan and 1911 into an independent province.
During the Second World War, the waters off the island of Dinagat scene of one of the most important battles of the Pacific War, the air and sea battle of Leyte Gulf, which took place in the Strait of Surigao. Were The island of Dinagat was the entrance gate of the Philippine- American liberation forces before returning to General Douglas McArthur according to Leyte. (→ Battle of Leyte )
On 19 June 1960, with effect from the Republic Act No 2786, the great province Surigao divided into the separate provinces of Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte - Dinagat Islands was part of Surigao del Norte.
On 2 December 2006, the result of a referendum on secession from the province of Surigao del Norte, which voted by a narrow majority of 70 058 to 63 144 votes for an independent province of Dinagat Islands implemented with the Republic Act No. 9355. Dinagat Islands became the 81st province of the Philippines.
Attractions
- The jungle of Mancono
- The Cambinli cases and the river at Loreto
- The island Pangabangan at Libjo
- Biasong Beach at Diganat
- Key Iceland at Diganat