Davao del Norte
is once known simply as Davao, is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Tagum City. It borders the province of Agusan del Sur to the north, Bukidnon to the west, Compostela Valley to the east, and the city of Davao to the south.

BRIEF PROFILE
Capital:	Tagum City
Land Area:	3,640.56 sq km
Population:	945,764 (2010)
Cities:	Tagum, Panabo, Island Garden City of Samal
Municipalities:	8
Barangays:	223

The Land_______________________________

Rugged, mountainous and moderately to steeply sloping areas on the western part and wide alluvial plains on the central lowland area generally characterize the topography of the province. Comprising the major portion of the alluvial plain is a flat tract of land. However, some places are gently undulating and exhibit a rolling topography.

Some 15 rivers and 12 creeks traverse the province. The bigger rivers, namely: Lasang, Tuganay, Libuganon and Saug rivers drain the broad plain in the west and north of the Davao Gulf. Since the province of Davao del Norte faces Davao Gulf in the southern side, all major rivers drain southwards into Davao Gulf.

A Brief History_______________________________

Davao used to be one province composed of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur. Then on May 8, 1967 by virtue of Republic Act No. 4867 as signed by the late President Ferdinand Marcos, the province was further divided into Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental. The province now has 22 municipalities since 1996.

On June 17, 1972, the name Davao Del Norte was changed to Davao by virtue of Republic Act No. 6430. Since then infrastructure developments were made, as well as rural roads program, water program and agricultural projects for its townsfolk. Then on January 31, 1998, President Fidel V. Ramos signed Republic Act No. 8470, separating the province of Compostela Valley and making it an independent province. This led to re-naming Davao to Davao del Norte. Tagum municipality was converted as a city and ultimately becoming the capital of Davao Del Norte since the creation of Republic Act 8472. On the other hand, by virtue of Republic Act 8471 municipalities of Samal, Babak and Kaputian were joined into the Island Garden City of Samal. Furthermore, the municipality of Braulio E. Dujali was created out of several barangays in Panabo and Carmen resulting to 8 municipalities and 2 cities.

The People_______________________________

The majority of the population are Visayan migrants. Cebuano is the most widely spoken language. Other prominent migrant groups are the Ilonggos and the Ilocanos.

Several ethnic groups exist in the province, among them B´laans, Bagobos, Manobos and Tagacaolos. These early settlers occupied the slopes, and base of Mt. Apo, and have developed their own cultures which have been preserved to this day.

The Bogobos, for example, are known for their colorful dresses woven from Abaca fiber and ornamented with beads, shells, metal disks and embroidery in geometric patterns. They also wear bells as anklets or costume accessories so they jiggle when the walk or dance.

Commerce and Industy_______________________________

The province is primarily agricultural but is also engaged in mining, forestry and commercial fishing. Main agricultural crops are rice, maize, banana, coconut, abaca, ramie, coffee and variety of fruits and root crops. Davao del Norte is a leading producer of bananas in the Philippines with plantations such as Dole and Del Monte.

On the other hand, Davao Gulf provides fish products such as brackish water milkfish, tilapia, shrimp, crab, freshwater catfish and tilapia. Mining is also added revenue with small-scale gold mining activities in several areas. Tourism is also a major part of the economy of Davao del Norte with a lot of beautiful beaches to offer such as the most famous Pearl Farm Beach Resort.

Getting There and Away_______________________________

The capital city of Tagum is only an hour's drive from the Davao International Airport and the Sasa Wharf in Davao City. The province is also accessible by land transportation.