Socio Economic: Brief History

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Provinces___________________________________

Agusan Del Sur

http://www.agusandelsur.gov.ph, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agusan_del_Sur

BRIEF HISTORY

Agusan del Sur is in northeastern Mindanao. It is bounded on the north by Agusan del Norte, on the east by Surigao del Sur, on the west by Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental, and on the south by Davao.

THE LAND
The rugged terrain is marked by mountain ranges running east and west of the Agusan Valley.

The Agusan River, which flows from Davao, passes through the middle of the Agusan Valley. The valley has fertile lowlands with many swamps and lakes, the biggest of which is Lake Lumao in Talacogon. 

The province lies outside the typhoon belt and has no definite dry season. Most of its precipitation falls between October to January. 

A BRIEF HISTORY
In Massam, Esperanza, a 20-cm. artifact of a woman in pure gold was unearthed and traced to the Javanese Majapahit Empire (13th-16th century.) The discovery attests to Agusan's rich pre-Spanish history. 

During the Spanish colonial administration, Agusan was a part of the province of Surigao. 

The Americans made it a separate province in 1911, with Butuan as its capital.

During World War II, a unit of the joint Philippine-US defense force was located at Manot, Talacogon, in the interior of the Agusan Valley.

Agusan was divided into Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur in 1967.

THE PEOPLE
The population consists mainly of migrants from the Visayas who were attracted by the lumber industry.

Cebuano is spoken by approximately 67% of the population.

The hinterlands and riverbanks have particularly large concentrations of tribal settlers. The Manobos, who have settlements in Bayugan in the north and Sagunto in the south, are known for their planting and harvesting rituals, as well as for their elaborate wedding ceremonies. The Higaonons, found in Bayagan and neighboring Esperanza, live in high-swaying tree houses comprising small family rooms linked by catwalks to a central communal area. To these people, oratory is an art form; sometimes they even argue in verse.

Other groups include the Banwaon, Matigsalug and the fierce Magahat and Talaandig. These are vanishing tribes who have retreated deeper into the jungles.

COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Timber production is the province's main industry. Today, massive reforestation is underway to replenish the province's forest resources. There are a number of established industrial tree in the area.

There are numerous rice and corn mills operating in this province.

Small-scale mining operations are quite common.

Next: Physical Profile