Agusan del Sur Travel Guide and Tourist Spots

Considered as the fourth largest province in the country, Agusan Del Sur is blessed with rich natural resources, from agriculture to forest and marsh lands. This province has been dubbed as the Land of Golden Opportunities. It recently had the media attention because of the captivity of Lolong, the largest crocodile ever caught.

Geography

Agusan Del Sur is located in the Caraga Region in Mindanao, with its capital Prosperidad. It is bordered by Agusan del Norte in the north, Surigao del Sur on east, Compostela Valley on its south, and on its west is Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental. Its total land area 9,989.52 km2 or 3,856.98 sq mi. The four largest municipalities of Agusan del Sur are Loreto, La Paz, Esperanza and San Luis occupying sixty percent of the province’s total land area.

Climate

The province is usually affected by depressions being formed in the typhoon areas of Surigao del Norte and Visayas. With this, Agusan del Sur has no dry season with a very assertive rain period. Rainfall usually maximizes during December-January.

Language

Cebuano is the main language used by its locals. Boholano and Ilonggo are the minor languages being spoken in theis area. However, you may hear people speaking Hiligayon, Butuanon, Surigaonon, Manobo and Kamayo in this province. They can also speak and understand Tagalog, our national language. English is also the main medium of communication in conversing with tourists who are not familiar with other languages mentioned above.

Economy

The province’s main source of income and occupying the big junk of labor force is the agriculture (rice, corn and fruits are among the major crops) and forestry industry.

Tourist Spots

Agusan Marsh. Found in the heart of Mindanao’s Agusan Catch Basin, it is one of the most significant wetlands in the Philippines. This marsh is as large as the size of Metro Manila and encloses 15% of the country’s fresh water in its swamp forests form. At the center of this marsh is a lake where lily pads, hyacinths and other hydrophilic plants are lurking, this is the green part. Underneath the dark tea-colored waters are catfishes, carps, fresh water turtles and crocodiles.

 

 Lolong. Known as the ”Largest Saltwater Crocodile” ever captured, Lolong was the name coined to the crocodile in honor of its capturer. Lolong measures about 20 feet and 3 inches long. Today, Lolong is the center of attraction of an ecotourism park made for species found in the marshlands of Agusan del Sur. See this enormous crocodile in Bunawan Ecopark and Wildlife Reservation Center.

 Tugonan Falls. A tourist attraction that is right at the province’s capital, this falls promises its visitors a “wanna come back” feeling. The falls is surrounded with ornamental plants and orchids hanging on branches.

Bega Falls. This could be the silent sanctuary for adventure lovers, mountain trekkers and environmentalists. There are about 18 falls in this scenery with lagoons, cascades, wild flora and fauna, and exotic birds.

Festivals

There are two festivals that are held in Agusan del Sur annually:

1. Naligayan Festival. Usually held from June 12 to 17, the Agusanons anticipate the display of tribal dances from the participants in almost all parts of the province. It is usually done at the Government Center in Prosperidad. Included as well in their list of activities is the trade fair, participated by the locals featuring their local products.

2. Kaamulan Festival. Every 23rd of September the Kaamulan Festival is celebrated by the locals. During this festival the tribal leaders converge with each other. It is in this festival where tribal priests present their tribal rituals.


Source Cited: http://www.zimbio.com/Giant+Crocodile+Video/articles/-qliiBpBdE5/Agusan+del+Sur+Travel+Guide+Tourist+Spots