Sorsogon Province
Sorsogon lies at the southern tip of Luzon. It is surrounded by embayments and straits and only a thin shoulder of land connects it to the main Bicol Peninsula. It is bounded on the northeast by Albay Gulf, on the west by Ticao and Burias Pass, on the southeast by northern Samar and on the east by the Pacific Ocean.

BRIEF PROFILE
Capital:	Sorsogon
Land Area:	214,144 Hectares
Population:	522,212 (1990)
Cities:	-
Number of Towns:	16

Geography

Sorsogons's terrain is very hilly with no large mountain range. The highest elevation is Mt. Bulusan, an active volcano. Its total land area is 214,144 hectares divided into 16 municipalities including the capital town of Sorsogon. It has 641 barangays, two congressional districts and is considered as a 2nd class province.

Origin

The gradual conquest and christianization of Luzon by the expeditionary forces of Legazpi and Urdaneta started in Sorsogon. In 1569, Captain Luis Enriquez de Guzman, with Agustinian priests, reached the native settlement of Otavi (site of the old town of Bulan) and celebrated the first mass in the island of Luzon.

People

Sorsogon is one of the most densely populated provinces in the region. It had a total population of 522,212 in 1990. Many of its inhabitants are migrants from the Visayas such as Warays and Hiligaynons. Bicolanos, however, remain the dominant cultural group.

Economy

The once rich timber resources of Sorsogon have been steadily depleted by wanton forest exploitation. Its waters, however, are still rich in marine resources. Its mineral deposits consist of limestone, sand, coal, pumice and punicite, white clay, cobbles, ceramics and boulders. Among its main crops are rice, corn, abaca, coconut and rootcrops. The major industries of the province are farming, fishing, livestock and poultry raising and copra-making. Cottage industries include handicraft, pottery and food preservation.