Negros Oriental - Definition and Overview

Negros Oriental is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region. Its capital is Dumaguete City and occupies the southeast half of the island of Negros; Negros Occidental is at the western half. Negros Oriental faces Cebu to the east across Tañon Strait and Siquijor to the southeast.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

Province of Negros Oriental

Ph_seal_negrosoriental.png
Image:Ph_seal_negrosoriental.png

Region: Central Visayas (Region VII)

Capital: Dumaguete City

Founded: March 10, 1917

Population:
2000 census—1,126,061 (20th largest)
Density—208 per km² (41st highest)

Area: 5,402.3 km² (14th largest)

Divisions:
Highly urbanized cities—0
Component cities—5
Municipalities—20
Barangays—557
Congressional districts—3

Languages: Cebuano, Ilonggo

Governor: George P. Arnaiz (2004-2007)

People and Culture

Economy

Geography

Political

Negros Oriental is subdivided into 20 municipalities and 5 cities.

Cities

• Bais City
• Canlaon City
• Bayawan City (Tulong)
• Tanjay City
• Dumaguete City

Municipalities

Physical

History

Negros Island was originally called "Buglas". Long before the arrival of Spanish colonizers, the Negritos and the Bukidnons inhabited the island. Their form of religion was animistic performed by the women priestess called Babaylanes. Barter trading between the Chinese and other Asian traders and the natives flourished even before the 12th century.

During the era of Spanish colonization in the Philippines, the island's name was changed to "Negros" because of the dark-skinned people living there. Negros was administered from Cebu until 1734, when it was made a military district of its own. The island of Negros was divided into the provinces of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental on January 1, 1890.

Negros Oriental became a province under the American civil government on March 10, 1917

In 1892, Siquijor became a part of Negros Oriental. It was previously administered by Spain under the politico-military province of Bohol. The American government made Siquijor a "sub-province" of Negros Oriental in 1901. On September 17, 1971, Siquijor finally became an independent province by virtue of Republic Act No. 6396.

External Links

• Official Website of the Provincial Government of Negros Oriental
  http://www.negor.gov.ph