Sulu Province History
Profile Of Sulu Province(Geography)
Location –> Sulu Province is composed of many islands located west of Basilan Province and Zamboanga Peninsula. The province belongs to the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Philippines (See map below)
Nearest Provinces –> Basilan and Tawi-Tawi
Capital –> Jolo
Area –> 1,600.40 km2 (617.92 sq mi)
Population –> 824,731 (2015 census)
Terrain –> Hilly
Main Industry –> Fishing
Major Products –> Fish and seaweed
People/Language –> Tausug, Bisaya (Cebuano)
Governor –> Abdusakur Tan
Vice Governor –> Abdusakur Tan II
Predecessor –> Nurunisah Abubakar – Tan
Representative (1st District) –> Samier Tan
Predecessor –> Tupay T. Loong
Representative (2nd District) –> Abdulmunir M. Arbison
Cities –> None
Municipalities (Towns) –> (19) Hadji Panglima Tahil, Indanan, Jolo, Kalingalan-Caluang, Lugus, Luuk, Maimbung, Old Panamao, Omar, Pandami, Panglima Estino, Pangutaran, Parang, Pata, Patikul, Siasi, Talipao, Tapul, and Tongkil
Sulu Province History
The areas now under the jurisdiction of the province of Sulu were part of the Kingdom of Lupah Sug before the coming of Islam. In the 12th century, Islam was introduced to the local population by merchants and missionaries from Southeast Asia and the Middle East. In 1380 CE, Karim-ul Makhdum came to Sulu as a missionary and started converting local residents into Islam.
The Sultanate of Sulu was founded by Sayyid Abubakar Abirin, a Johore-born Arab who married the daughter of Rajah Baguinda Ali. Later, he expanded its territory to include Basilan, Zamboanga Peninsula and Palawan.
The coming of the Spaniards to the Philippines ensued an on-and-off war with the Sultanate. It was only in 1876 that the Sultunate of Sulu came under Spanish control. In 1899, Sultan Jamalul Kiram II of Sulu and American Brig. Gen. John C. Bates signed the Bates Agreement which provides among others recognition of the Americans of its autonomy and the non-entry of the sultanate into the Philippine American War. In the ensuing years, however, the sultanate eventually came under the control of the Americans. From 1917 to 1935, Sulu became part of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu
Ombra Amilbangsa became the first representative of Sulu in the first National Assembly (1935-1938).
In 1973, several municipalities in the southwestern part of Sulu were separated to create the province of Tawi-Tawi pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 302 signed by then President Ferdinand Marcos.
Go here to see famous people from Sulu.
Read the history of Sulu in Tagalog here.
Economy of Sulu Province
Fishing is the most important source of livelihood in Sulu. The capital town of Jolo is the commercial center of the Province.
RELATED: Profile of Palawan Province
See also: List of Philippine Provinces and Capital by Region
Map of Province