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PROVINCIAL PROFILE OF DAVAO ORIENTAL
FAST FACTS
Capital : Mati
Area : 5,164.46 sq km
Population : 394,697
Cities : none
No. of Towns : 11
Click Here To View The List Of
Towns.
LOCATION
Davao Oriental is in southeastern Mindanao. It is located east of
Davao
Province but extends to form a peninsula separating Davao Gulf on
the west
from the Pacific Ocean on the east. On its south is the
Philippine Sea. It is
bounded on the north by Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur.
THE LAND
The eastern coast of the province is dominated by the Pacific
Cordilleras. The
rest of the area is an uneven distribution of plateaus, swamps,
and lowlands. It
is endowed with navigable rivers that end at the heads of the
numerous bays
dotting the irregular coastline. The province has a short dry
season and a
pronounced rainy season. Maximum rainfall is from November to
January,
especially at the coastal towns.
A BRIEF HISTORY
The first permanent Spanish settlement in southern Mindanao was
established
in Caraga in 1591, in what is now Davao Oriental. The region
remained under
the Sultanate of Maguindanao until it was ceded to Spain in 1844.
In 1847,
the government in Manila sent an expedition led by Jose Oyanguren
to bring
the region under Spanish control. It settled in Davao town (now
Davao City)
and organized the neighboring areas two Oyanguren's home province
in Spain.
In 1858, the province was abolished and the politico-military
comandancias of
Bislig and Davao were created in its place. Two years later,
Bislig was
incorporated into the District of Davao. With the coming of the
Americans,
the Moro Province was created in 1903 which included Davao as one
of its
districts. This was converted into the Department of Mindanao and
Sulu in
1914 and all the districts comprising it became provinces. Davao
Oriental
became a separate province on May 8, 1967 when Republic Act No.
4867
divided the Province of Davao into three.
THE PEOPLE
The province is mostly populated by Visayan migrants; thus,
Cebuano is the
main language. Ethnic groups found in the province include the
Mandayas,
Mansakas, Manobos, and Kalagans.
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Davao Oriental's economy is agriculture-based. Its major crops
are coconut,
rice, corn, vegetables, and fruits. It is an important source of
durian which is
processed into preserves and sweets. The 250 hectare Menzi
Plantation in
Buso, Mati grows citrus, grapes, and mangoes. The Pacific
Cordillera's vast
timberlands support logging and wood processing but rapid forest
depletion
has become a serious environmental concern.
Davao Oriental has several major fishing grounds, including Davao
Gulf and
the bays of Pujada, Maya, Baculin, and Cateel. Although fish is
bountiful
throughout the year, the best season for fishing is from March to
September.
Information gathered from:
League of
Provinces
by:Roberto C. Arellano
This page last revised:February 02, 1999.
