DAVAO ORIENTAL

Population

23rd smallest Total (2007) 446,191 Area 18th largest Total 5,164.5 km2 (1,994 sq mi)

languages

Cebuano, Dabawenyo

General Information

Davao Oriental is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Mati City and borders Compostela Valley to the west, and Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur to the north. Davao Oriental is the easternmost province of the country with Pusan Point as the easternmost location. The Philippine Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean, faces Davao Oriental to the east. Part of the province lies on an unnamed peninsula that encloses the Davao Gulf to the west.

Geography

Davao Oriental is situated in the southeastern section of Mindanao. It belongs to the Southern Mindanao Region or Region XI. Its boundaries are defined on the north by Agusan del Sur, on the south by Davao Gulf, on the east by the Pacific Ocean, and on the west by Davao province.

Economy

Davao Oriental is the copra (dried coconut meat) producer capital of the Philippines. Agriculture compose the province main economic industry. Coconuts, rice, corn, vegetables and fruits are their major products. Durian is a very popular fruit in Davao, processed and make into preserves and sweets. Davao Oriental is the copra (dried coconut meat) producer capital of the Philippines.

Culture

The Mandayas Tribe is the most famous tribe in the province with various customary rites and wears colorful clothes. Mandaya children aging from 10 to 12 years old also has a traditional rite of blackening their teeth by chewing habitually tobacco pellets moistened with the juice of am-mong vine.

Climate

The province lies outside the typhoon belt. The province does not have a pronounced dry season although rainfall is at its maximum from November to January.

Transportation

Access to the city proper of Davao del Sur is thru buses coming from Davao City from there you can arrive by plane, a 1 hr and 40 min. flight from Manila to Davao City.

Level of Security

No Level