SORSOGON

Population

37th largest Total (2007) 650,535 Area 22nd smallest Total 2,141.4 km sq

languages

Bikol

General Information

Sorsogon is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region; it is the southernmost province in Luzon and is subdivided into fourteen (14) municipalities(towns) and one city. Its capital is Sorsogon City (formerly towns of Sorsogon and Bacon) and borders the province of Albay to the north. Sorsogon is at the tip of the Bicol Peninsula and faces the island of Samar to the southeast across the San Bernardino Strait and Ticao Island to the southwest.

Economy

The province's economic activity is highly concentrated in its capital city, Sorsogon City, and the towns of Bulan, and Matnog as well. Sorsogon Province is classified as 2nd class with an average annual income of Php 339.4M (C.Ys. 2000-2003). This is about Php11M short for the province to attain 1st class reclassification which requires at least Php 350M average annual income.

Geography

Sorsogon, at the southeastern part of the Bicol Peninsula, is bounded on the north by the province of Albay, on the east by the Philippine Sea, on the south by the San Bernardino Strait, and on the west and northwest by the Ticao and Burias Passes. It has a total land area of 2,119 sq. km. It is characterized by an irregular topography, and, except for landlocked Irosin, all the towns lie along the coast. They are all connected by concrete and asphalt roads. Mountains sprawl over the northeast, southeast and west portions. Mt. Bulusan, the tallest peak rises 1,560 meters above sea level.

Culture

Most of the inhabitants of the province belong to the ethnolinguistic Bicolano and Bisakol groups. Sorsogon was once a part of Albay and once also included Masbate. Sorsogueños are very religious and funloving. Being mostly Roman Catholics, they are active in every festivity celebrated throughout the year. For instance, like any other Filipino ethnolinguistic groups, they celebrate the fiesta of the Patron Saints Peter and Paul in Sorsogon city every June.

Climate

The tropical climate of Sorsogon is largely influenced by two air-stream systems the northeast monsoon, which prevails from October to May; and the southeast monsoon, which occurs from June to September. There is no dry season as rains come throughout the year, but there is a pronounced high rainfall period from November to January. November is the wettest month, while April and May are the least rainy months. Considered the summer months are the months of March, April and May

Transportation

Sorsogon City can reached by buses. Tourism Sorsogon Experience the whale shark Capital of the World