ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR

Langauges

Cebuano, Subanen, Zamboangueno/Chavacano

Population

16th largest Total (2007) 836,217 Area 20th largest Total 3,480.7 km2 (1,344 sq mi)

General Information

Zamboanga del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao.Pagadian City is the capital, which is also the Center of Region IX. The province borders Zamboanga del Norte to the north, Zamboanga Sibugay to the west, Misamis Occidental to the northeast, and Lanao del Norte to the east. To the south is the Moro Gulf. The land is best described as a coastal plain that gives path to the interior mountains. They have the biggest bays and two smaller capes, which extends into the Moro Gulf. One said that the favorite asylum of pirates is the island of Olutanga. In the two major towns lie the rivers of Kumalarang, Sibuguey, Dinas and Labangas.

Geography

Zamboanga del Sur occupies the southern section of the Zamboanga peninsula that forms the western part of the Island of Mindanao. It is located at longitude 122 degree 30" and latitude 7 degree 15" north. It has a total land area of 473,491 hectares or 4,734.91 square miles. Stretching northward from Sibugay in the southwest and running along the northern boundary to Salug Valley in the east is the province's mountainous countryside. The coastal plains extend regularly from south to west then spread into wide flat lands when reaching the coastal plains of the Baganian peninsula in the southeast.

Economy

The economy is dominantly agricultural. Products include coco oil, livestock feed milling, rice/corn milling, including the processing of fruits, gifts and housewares made from indigenous materials like handmade paper, roots, rattan, buri, and bamboo; wood-based manufacture of furniture and furniture components from wood, rattan, and bamboo; marine and aquaculture including support services; construction services and manufacture of marble, concrete, and wooden construction materials.Most of their livelihood came from producing rubber, corn, rice, abaca and coconut. They also have rich fishing ground. The overflowing forests are used for constructing of ships and producing furniture. Deposits of Manganese, copper and nickel are also found in the land.

Climate

The province has a relatively high mean annual rainfall that varies from 1,599 millimeters in drier areas to 3,500 millimeters in the wettest portion. Temperature is relatively warm and constant throughout the year ranging from the minimum temperature of 22 to 35 degrees Celsius.

Transportation

Zamboanga del Sur can be reached in by land , sea and air - there is only (1) airport that accommodates both commercial and private airrafts. Level of Security Moderate Level