INTRODUCTION

Davao City , is a highly urbanized city in the island of Mindanao , Philippines. The city has a total area of 2,443.61 km , and has a population of 1,632,991 based on 2015 census , making the largest city in the Philippines in terms of land area. The city also the third most populous city in the Philippines after Quezon City and Manila , the most populous city in the country outside Metro Manila and the most populous in Davao. Davao City is the center of Metro Davao , the third most populous metropolitan area in the Philippines. The city serves as the main trade , commerce , and industry hub of Mindanao and the regional center of Davao Region. Davao is the home of Mount Apo , the highest mountain in the Philippines. The city also nicknamed as the "Durian Capital of the Philippines". Davao attained a high "safety index" according to Numbeo , a crowd-sourced survey website , which the Philippine national media has reported frequently , although the city has the highest murder rate and the second highest rape rate in the country ranking , boasting that he killed criminals. A vigilante group called Davao Death Squad  killed over 1,400 street children and alleged criminals while he was mayor , according to human rights groups.


DEMOGRAPHY

The population of Davao City is 1,632,911 according to 2015 census. Metro Davao , with the city as its center , had about 2.5 million inhabitants in 2015 , making it the third most populous metropolitan area in the Philippines and the most populous city in Mindanao. In 1995 , the city's population reached 1,006,840 inhabitants , becoming the first city in Mindanao and the fourth nationwide to exceed one million inhabitants. The city's population increase during the 20th century was due to massive immigration waves coming from other parts of nation and the trend continues to this day. It is projected to surpass the Manila's population by 2020 to become the second largest city in the Philippines.




ETHNICITY

Residents of Davao City and the whole corresponding Davao Region are colloquially known as Davaoenos. Nearly all local
davaoenos are visayans , while others from other ethnicity such as Lumad and Aeta form up the remainder of local population. The Moro ethnic groups are the Maguindanaons , Maranaos , Iranuns , Sangerese and the Sama-Bajaus.





ETYMOLOGY

The regions name is derived from its Bagobo origins. The Bagobos were indigenous to the Philippines. The word Davao came from the phonetic blending of tree Bagobo subgroups names for the Davao River , a major waterway emptying into the Davao Gulf near the city. The original Obos , who inhabit the hinterlands of the region , called river Davah ( with a gentle vowel ending , although late pronunciation is with a hard b or v ) ; the Clatta ( or Giangan/Diangan ) called it Dawaw , and the Tagabawas called it Dabo. To the Obos , davah also means " a place beyond high grounds ".


CLIMATE

Davao has a tropical rainforest climate , with little seasonal variation in temperature. Average monthly temperatures are always above 26 Degrees Celcius ( 78.8 Farenheight ) , and average monthly rainfall is above 77 millimetres ( 3.03 in ). This gives the city a tropical climate , without a true dry season ; while there is significant rainfall in winter , the largest rainfall occurs during the summer months ( see climate chart below ).

GEOLOGY

Despite Davao City's location in the Asian portion of the Pacific Ring of Fire , the city has suffered few earthquakes and most have been minor. 

GEOGRAPHY

Davao City is approximately 588 miles ( 946 km ) southeast of Manila over land , and 971 kilometers by sea. The city is located in southeastern Mindanao , on the northwestern shore of Davao Gulf , opposite Samal Island.

ECONOMY

Davao is a part of the East Asian Growth Area , a regional economic-cooperation initiative in Southeast Asia. According to the foundation , the city has a projected average annual growth of 2.53 percent over a 15-year period ; Davao was the only Philippine city to reach the top 100. As the largest economy outside Metro Manila , the city also serves as the largest local economy in southern Philippines. 

INDUSTRY

Agriculture remains the largest sector comprising banana , pineapple , coffee , and coconut plantations in the city. It is the island's leading exporter of fruits such as mangoes , pomeloes , bananas , coconut products , pinapples , papayas , mangosteens and cacao. The chocolate industry is the newest development in the city. Malagos Chocolate , developed here by Malagos Agriventures Corp. , is now the country's leading artisan chocolate recognized worldwide. On the other hand , Seed Core Enterprises is the country's biggest exporter of cacao to Barry Callebaut. Durian which is locally grown and harvested in the city , is also notable export , although banana is the largest fruit export in the city. Local corporations like Lorenzo Group , Anflo Group , AMS Group , Sarangani Agricultural Corp. and Vizcaya Plantations Inc. have operations and headquarters here. Multinational companies like Dole , Sumifru/Sumimoto and Del Monte have their regional headquarters here also. The city also serves as the main trade , commerce , and industry hub of Mindanao and is also one of the financial hubs of Mindanao. Phoenix Petroleum is a multinational oil company based in Davao city and is the first company based outside Metro Manila to be in the PSE Composite Index. Several industrial plants such as those Coca-Cola Bottlers , Phil. , Pepsi-Cola Products , Phil. , Interbev Phil. Inc. plants as well as industrial construction plants such as Holcim Philippines , Union Galvasteel Corporation , and SteelAsia. The SteelAsia is now the largest and the most modern steel rolling mill production facility in the country , completed in December 2014 and was purposely built to increase the national steel production and to reduce the construction cost of Mindanao.

HERITAGE

There are number of cultural-herirage sites in the city , including the Davao Museum ( in Insular Village , Lanang ) , the Mindanao Folks Art Museum ( Philippine Women's College , Juna Subdivision , Matina ) Davaoenyo Historical Society Museum and the Philippine Japan Museum. Japanese historical sites include the Japanese Tunnel , the 20th century Japanese cementery and the Furukawa Fiber Plant ( used by Yoshizo Furukawa as an abaca and banana plantation ).



CUISINE

The cuisine of Davao City features skewered and grilled meat dishes , but the most common dish served in the city is Kinilaw , a relative of ceviche made from tuna , mackerel , or swordfish with cucumber ( and sometimes radishes ) and chili marinated in vinegar. Sinuglaw , a portmanteau of sinugba ( grilled ) and kinilaw in the cebuano language , is also a term for a dish which is diced , grilled pork belly is mixed with kinilaw.



TOURISM


Tourist destinations in the city include the Philippine Eagle Foundation and Nature Center , Mount Apo , Gap Farming Resort , the Davao Crocodile Park , Malagos Garden Resort , Eden Nature Park , and the People's Park in the city center which is popular for its sculpture of indigenous people and dancing fountain. Samal Island , a part of Metro Davao , is an island city situated immediately off the city's coast in Davao Gulf , popularly known for its scenic beaches. Two major annual festivals are held in the city : Araw ng Dabaw on March 16 and the Kadayawan Festival in August. Also celebrated in the entire month of December , Pasko Fiesta sa Davao is an integration of festive and competitive Christmas activities showcasing colorful lightings and array decorations in barangays , public parks , roads and buildings , and a series of competitive performances. Another annual festival , the Torotot Festival , is held annually every New Year's Eve. First organized in the last day of 2013 during the 2014 new year's eve , it was organized as a recompense for the city firecracker-pyrotechnics ban ; it includes a number of people simultaneously blowing party horns , locally known as torotots. It recorded a number of 7,568 people participating in the first event , aiming to break the world record set by Japan for the most people simultaneously blowing party horns. During 2011 , there were 1,075,000 recorded tourist arrivals in the city , totaled from 81,081 foreign travelers , 983,315 local citizens , and 10,604 balikbayans/overseas Filipino workers. Estimated tourist receipts were recorded at 12.81 billion pesos while estimated economic benefits were 28.19 billion pesos.

GOVERNMENT

Davao City has a deputy mayor , designated by the mayor , who is a link to the mayor ( especially for those living outside the city ). The deputy mayor is the mayor's representative for community events. The position complements the city's vice mayor , given the large geographical area of the city. Sara Duterte was elected mayor in the 2016 general election which also selected her father ( and long-time Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte ) the 16th President of the Philippines. Davao City has 182 barangays , with three legislative districts. The city government of Davao is proposing two more congressional districts to serve its growing population.



EDUCATION

The city government provides free education at the primary ( grade school ) and secondary ( high school ) levels at public institutions. Currently , as sanctioned by the Department of Education , all the primary and secondary institutions in the city use the K-12 educational system. The city currently hosts five universities.







FOREIGN RELATIONS


The influx of foreign visitors and the presence of expatriates and migrants in the city have prompted the governments of Japan , China , Malaysia , and Indonesia to open Consulates-General in the city , while Palau and United States have consular offices. Honorary consulates of the Czech Republic , Mexico , Austria , Spain , Limor Leste , Denmark and South Korea were also recently established. United States Embassy in the Philippines opened a virtual consulate , were inquiries regarding visas , foreign-relations concerns and travel to the United States can be made by e-mail and chat. The virtual consulate is maintained in coordination with Ateneo de Davao University , University of Mindanao , University of Immaculate Conception , Holy Cross of Davao College and AMA Computer College.



TOURIST SPOTS

Eden Nature Park

-Commonly known as Eden was discovered in 1971. It used to be a logged-over area covered by a blanket of wild grass. Not long after, terraces were carved out of the mountain slope, and thousands of pine seedlings were planted.

Today, there are over 100,000 pine trees spread in about 80 hectares, providing a magnificent backdrop of the various attractions in Eden. Located at the highest point of the park, a wonderful view of Davao City and the gulf beholds you as commune with nature.

In the 1990’s, Eden was classified as an eco-tourism zone. The owners envisioned the property could be a good setting for corporate events, considering the ambiAnce therein. Eden Nature Park and Resort started its operations in October 1997. Over the years, the market responded favorably and the resort expanded its operations by offering day tour packages and guided shuttle tours around the property. The resort caters to live-in corporate seminars, retreats, wedding receptions and special events. To make Eden also cater to the younger and more adventurous generation adventure tourism was added to Eden’s activities. First the Skyrider, more popularly known as "zipline" which was introduced in 2008. Five years later, the resort added the Skycycle, the first and so far the only one in Davao. The Skycycle became such a hit that, from the initial 2 bicycle lines, we have expanded to the present 8 lines. Finally, in 2015, Eden launched the Skyswing, setting the bar of adventure rides to a higher level. The Skyswing is another first-of-its-kind in the Davao Region. The multi-faceted experiences of the guests as they visit Eden is one of the reasons why Trip Advisor, the popular travel search engine, has ranked Eden Nature Park and Resort as No.1 in "Things to Do" in Davao City.

Philippine Eagle Center

-it is an  8.4-hectare area located at the foothills of Mt. Apo in Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City and situated within the Malagos Watershed. The Philippine Eagle Center primarily operates as a conservation breeding facility for the critically endangered Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) and other birds of prey. There are currently 7 Philippine Eagles in exhibit for education while the rest are isolated for conservation breeding and research purposes. Although this facility is dedicated to breeding and education, the Philippine Eagle Center has grown to be an important tourist destination in Davao City as well. The Center does not only have Philippine Eagles to show but there are a number of other birds, mammals and reptiles as well, most of which are endemic to the country and some are considered rare.

                                                                                 

                                                                                              Peoples Park Davao

           -People’s Park is a cultural theme park created in 2007, which is the brainchild of them Mayor Rodrigo Duterte if Davao City. The name People’s Park was coined by Romeo Sardon, a retired electrician, who wom the “Name the Park” contest.

The 4-hectare park is adorned with large sculptures representing what Davao is known for. It is an open plaza with landscaped greenery which is called “Philippine Rainforest” where you can see pigeons around as you enjoy a family picnic at the grounds. There are also benches where you can sit to have a relaxing time                                                                                  inside the park.

        Mt. Apo

  -In the Philippines, Mt. Apo is the highest point with an elevation of 3144 Meters above sea level, making it the Grand Father of all Philippine Mountains and the dream mountain of every Filipino mountaineer.

Mount Apo is one of the must see and experience for every adventure tourist or backpacker who visits the country specially in the Davao Province where it lies.

           

                                                                                         Epol Falls

         -Epol is an acronym which stands for Everlasting Power of Love Waterfalls. It was formerly known as the Green Valley waterfalls. It is one of the natural tourist attractions of the mountainous area of Marilog District Davao City which is approximately three hundred (300) meters away from the highway. The falls are cascades of cold water that plunges into a natural pool. It is surrounded by tropical plants and trees that provide a habitat for wildlife. The Epol falls have bamboo huts that provide shade and a place to prepare foods.

There are more tourist spots in Davao like Sicao Falls, Japanese Tunnel, and Davao White Water Rafting that you should visit.