Zamboanga Tourist Information

As the sixth biggest city in the Philippines, Zamboanga has become the hub of business, commerce, health care and tourism of Zamboanga province, although officially it is an independent city. However, its dynamic economy has also helped the entire province grow.

Geography and Location

Zamboanga City is situated right on the edge of the Peninsula, on the southwest border. On its west side is the Sulu Sea, and on the south border is the Celebes Sea and the Basilan Strait; on the east is the Moro Gulf. It is almost 850 km (510 miles) away from Manila, or two hours by plane. From Cebu and Davao it is an hour away.

Scattered along the coast are several small islands, some 28 in all. Sacol is the largest (approx. 12x8 km). There are a cluster of islands near the Moro Gulf collectively known as the Eleven Islands. While most are uninhabited except for the tourists, some, like Malanipa and Vitali, are home to fishermen and other local folk.

The most renowned among these are the Santa Cruz Islands, owing to the wide variety of corals and fish in the area that have made it very attractive for local and foreign adventurers.

Economy

The rapid growth of Zamboanga City can be attested to by the burgeoning number of commercial and business establishments in the city. There are over 60 financial institutions there. The growth of small and medium businesses can be seen by the number of cooperatives, which are on the increase.

For entertainment and leisure, there is no shortage of shopping malls, supermarkets, restaurants, cinemas and more. In addition, local and foreign investors have developed several other businesses, such as food processing, garments, electronics, handicraft, toy making, furniture ships and more.

However, there is also a great portion still devoted to agriculture. There is plenty of arable ground, and this has led to the production of numerous products that are export quality, such as fish, seaweed and flowers. These are also much sought after by the tourists. A large part of its trade is also concentrated in the neighboring towns and provinces.

Culture

Zamboanga City is noted for the diversity of its people and also its culture. A variety of languages are spoken, including English, Tagalog, Cebuano and some Chinese and Spanish as well.

While the most practiced religion is still Catholicism, there are a large number of Muslims, Protestants and others in the area. All of these have contributed to a unique culture that combines the best of all these beliefs. This is best exemplified in their numerous festivals and holidays.

The Dia de Zamboanga is the foundation day (February 26, 1937); other important holidays include the Holy Week (March or April), the highlight of which is the procession on Good Friday of the Santo Entierro through several streets, displaying statues and images of Jesus.

Other well known festivals are the Flreos de Mayo (May 1-31), Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8) and also Islamic Holy Days like the Eid-al-Fitr and the Isra Wal Miraj.

Historical Overview

The early history of the Zamboanga Peninsula is still subject to debate, but a lot of the experts do agree that several tribes had already lived there long before the Spaniards came. Among the known ethnic groups are the Tausugs, Samais, Subanons and Lutaos.

After the Spanish came in the late 1500s, the province, in particular Fort Pilar, became a frequent battleground between the colonizers and the Moros. When the Americans came during the late 1800s, Zamboanga became an important city, and such was its importance that for all intents and purposes it was the capital and center of Mindanao

The city would be overrun by the Axis forces, led by Japan in 1942, and it was also there that the Imperial Army would establish a military base where they made their last stand against the Allied Forces in 1945.