- Compostela Valley
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Compostela Valley — Province — 
SealMap of the Philippines with Compostela Valley highlighted
Coordinates: 7°36′N 125°57′E / 7.6°N 125.95°ECoordinates: 7°36′N 125°57′E / 7.6°N 125.95°E Country 
PhilippinesRegion Davao Region (Region XI) Founded January 31, 1998 Capital Nabunturan Government – Governor Arturo T. Uy (Nacionalista) Area – Total 4,479.77 km2 (1,729.6 sq mi) Area rank 27th out of 80 Population (2007) – Total 637,366 – Rank 41st out of 80 – Density 142.3/km2 (368.5/sq mi) – Density rank 51st out of 80 Divisions – Independent cities 0 – Component cities 0 – Municipalities 11 – Barangays 237 – Districts 1st and 2nd districts of Compostela Valley Time zone PHT (UTC+8) ZIP Code Spoken languages Cebuano, Dabaweño Compostela Valley (Filipino: Lambak ng Compostela) is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. The province, called Comval for short, used to be part of Davao del Norte until it was made independent in 1998. It is the third newest province of the Philippines, behind Dinagat Islands and Zamboanga Sibugay. Its capital is Nabunturan. The province borders Davao del Norte to the west, Agusan del Sur to the north, and Davao Oriental to the east. To the southwest lies the Davao Gulf. Its first elected governor was lawyer Jose Caballero who used to be a lawyer for the mining group in the province.
Contents
People and culture
Majority of the inhabitants are migrants from Cebu, Samar, Bohol and other Visayan provinces. The cultural minorities in the province include the Mansaka, Mandaya, Dibabawons, Mangguangans and Aeta groups such as the Talaingod, Langilan, and Matigsalug.
Arnold Bajo, is the most successful defender of the poor minorities, especially the Mandaya. He died in the battle while defending the poor. According to the legend, 40 days after his death, somebody reported that his spirit come from his body and infused in the statue of Ara-araba, their god of harvest. From then on, people worship him as god in the Mandaya tribe, which he refused as he confessed as follower of Rizal, the original defender of poor.
Economy
The main source of livelihood of this province are agricultural products such as rice, coconut, cacao, coffee, papaya, mango, pineapple, durian and banana. It has been projected that by 2030 the province will be one of the richest provinces in the country because of its rich natural resources and hardworking people. Some residents have fishponds and culture their own fish like tilapia, milkfish and a lot more. The province is also rich with gold ore.
Language
Many people speak Spanish-based creole called kinatsila, a term derived from the Kingdom of Castile in Spain. Tourists who have been there even called the province as the "Lost Spain" because a substantial minority look Spanish as they are Mestizos. During the Spanish occupation many Spanish settled in the area and established communities which eventually become large towns.
Geography
Political
Compostela Valley is subdivided into 11 municipalities.
Municipalities
Physical
Tourist attractions
- Maragusan: Aguacan Inland Resort, Tagbibinta Falls,Mt. Candalaga Peak, Haven's Peak, Kanlawig Hot Spring Sky Garden Restaurant and Fitness Gym
- New Bataan: Manurigao Falls, White Peak, Andap Inland Resort
- Maco : Mainit Sulfuric Hotspring, Lake Leonard, New Leyte
- Nabunturan,San Vicente Caves, Toyuzu Inland Resort
- Pantukan: Welborn's Beach, Magnaga Waters, Sea World Oasis
- Mabini: Manaklay Beach Park and Resort, Pindasan, Mabini
- Mabini: Beach View Resort, Pindasan, Mabini
- Mabini: Bern Berioso Beach Resort I, Pindasan, Mabini
- Mabini: Bern Berioso Beach Resort II, Pindasan , Mabini
- Monkayo: Kumbilan Cave,Octagon Park, Mt.Diwata Mining,Monkayo Arena
- Monkayo: Mt. Diwata's Peak,Agusan River,Baylo Falls
History
The province was created by virtue of Republic Act No. 8470, enacted on January 31, 1998 and ratified on March 7 of the same year by Terisita Zamora
Festivities
- Kariyawan Festival
-celebrated together with the Araw ng Monkayo (in the municipality of Monkayo) every 4th day of September
- Simballay Festival
-celebrated every 3rd week of December, Simballay Festival showcases different cultures in the capital municipality Nabunturan
- AniBina Bulawanon Festival
-showcases the culture of Compostela Valley. This event is celebrated from March 1 to 8 which is also the founding anniversary of the province.
- Buganihan Festival
-celebrated every June 19 to 23, culminating on the 23rd - the Founding day of the Municipality of Compostela
- Diwanag Festival
-celebrated every December showcasing lighted booths and barangay corners within the Poblacion of the Municipality of Montevista.
- Kaimunan Festival
-celebrated every founding anniversary of the Municipality of Maco as well as the Mother of Perpetual Help Fiesta Celebration every 4th week of June
- Pyagsawitan Festival
-celebrated every founding anniversary of the Municipality of Maragusan every 25th day of November. It showcases the thanksgiving for the abundant harvest of the people of the municipality. Highlights the "Indak-indak sa Kadalanan", a street dancing competition.
See also
- Prospero Amatong
- Manuel "Way Kurat" Zamora
Events
- Joint Oathtaking Ceremony of Provincial elected Officials, June 30, 2007 at 4:00pm at the Provincial Capitol grounds, Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province. Theme: "Compostela Valley... a new era of unity and good governance."
External links
Municipalities Categories:
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