Zamboanga Sibugay

Infobox Philippine province
name = Zamboanga Sibugay
sealfile = Ph_seal_zamboanga_sibugay.pngregion = Zamboanga Peninsula
capital = Ipil
founded = February 22, 2001
pop2000 = 497,239
pop2000rank = 29th smallest
popden2000 = 161
popden2000rank = 29th lowest
areakm2 = 3,087.9
arearank = 44th largest
hucities = 0
componentcities = 0
municipalities = 16
barangays = 388
districts = 2
languages = Cebuano, Chavacano, Tagalog, Spanish and English
governor = George T. Hofer
locatormapfile = Ph_locator_map_zamboanga_sibugay.png

Zamboanga Sibugay is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Ipil and it borders Zamboanga del Norte to the north, Zamboanga del Sur to the east and Zamboanga City to the southwest. To the south lies Sibuguey Bay in the Moro Gulf. Zamboanga Sibugay was created in 2001 when the third district of Zamboanga del Sur split off. Zamboanga Sibugay is the 79^th province created in the Philippines.

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, Zamboanga Sibugay has a population of 497,239 people, and a population density of 161/km². It is ranked 29th among the provinces of the Philippines in terms of both population and population density. The annual population growth rate is 2.09%.

The major languages spoken in the province are Subanen Cebuano and Ilonggo. Chavacano Tagalog, Ilocano and other ethnic tongues are spoken as well. While English language is widely spoken too.

Economy

The leading industries are in the areas of bakery, rice and corn milling, food processing, and rattan and wood furniture production. New industries include concrete products, garments, wax and candle factory, and other cottage industries.

Major crops produced include rice, corn, coconuts, rubber, fruit trees, vegetables, tobacco, coffee, cacao, and root crops. Livestock and poultry productions are predominantly small-scale backyard operations.Coal mining is also present in some areas of the province.

Geography

Zamboanga Sibugay has an approximate total land area of 3228.3 km² accounting for about 37.82% of the mother province of Zamboanga del Sur. It is geographically located at 123o 04’ 49.75” longitude and at 7o 42’ 14.89” latitude. To the north it intersects the common municipal boundaries of Kalawit, Tampilisan, and Godad in Zamboanga del Norte. In the west, it is bounded by the municipalities of Siraway, Siocon, and Balinguian, and the province of Zamboanga del Norte. On the south it is bounded by Sibuguey Bay. In the east, the municipalities of Bayog and Kumalarang both in the province of Zamboanga del Sur bound it. It is further bounded on the southwest by Zamboanga City.

Political

Zamboanga Sibugay is subdivided into 16 municipalities.

These municipalities are further subdivided into 389 barangays. The province comprises two (2) congressional district.

Physical

Zamboanga Sibugay has a land area of 3,087.9 km². It is geographically located at 123°04'49"N and 7°42'14"E. It is bounded on the north and west by Zamboanga del Norte; on the east by Zamboanga del Sur; on the south by the Sibuguey Bay; and on the southwest by Zamboanga City.

The climatic condition of the province is moderately normal (climate type III). Annual rainfall varies from 1,599 mm to 3,500 mm. Temperature is relatively warm and constant throughout the year ranging from 22o C to 35o C. The province is situated outside the country's typhoon belt.

History

The area of Zamboanga Sibugay was formerly a part of Zamboanga del Sur. Attempts to divide Zamboanga del Sur into separate provinces date as far back as the 1960s. Several bills were filed in congress, but remained unacted. The new province was finally created by Republic Act No. 8973 on February 22, 2001.

External links

* [http://www.tourism.gov.ph/explore_phil/place_details.asp?content=description&province=51 WOW Philippines - Zamboanga Sibugay]
* [http://tagaipil.netfreehost.com Ipilenyos Forum Website - Please visit and register to start posting]

Online news
* [http://www.zambotimes.com Daily Zamboanga Times]
* [http://www.zambonews.com Zamboanga Online News] or
* [http://www.zambotoday.com The Official Website of Zamboanga Today Newspaper]