Butuan City History

Postal Code 8600
Area Code 085, 08521
Land Area 758 sq km
Population 265,806
Distance from Manila 491 miles south
Dialects Spoken Butuanon, Others Include Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Majority can speak and understand Tagalog and English

Background
Butuan, chartered city, southern Philippines, capital of Agusan del Norte Province, near the mouth of the Agusan River, on the northern coast of Mindanao. The city is a trade center for the Agusan river valley, where lumber, gold, abaca, and copra

are produced. Butuan is repu

ted to be the site at which the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan proclaimed Spanish sovereignty over the Philippine Archipelago in 1521. Population (1999 estimate) 247,074.

Butuan is believed to have originated from the sour fruit "Batuan". Others said, it came from a certain "Datu Buntuan " a chieftain who once ruled Butuan. Scholars believed it came from the word "But-an, which literally means a person who has a sound and discerning disposition.

History of Butuan

Butuan City was originally located in Pinamangculan by the banks of the Masao River, about a kilometer from the barrio of Libertad. Finding the place less ideal because of the flood, the people moved to Maug, now the municipality of Magallanes, at the mouth of Agusan river, they again transferred to Lapaca, now known as Linungsuran in barrio Banza about five kilometer inland Agusan River. Still troubled by floods, the people once more settled, some eighty years ago, this time permanently, in a higher place called A

gao, which is the present site of the City proper. A description of Butuan is not complete without infusing it with the significance of the Agusan River and its tributaries that provide the valley with rich soil from periodic floods. Its serpentine route through the city and the two Agusan provinces provide the people with easy means of transportat

ion for trade and commerce and encourage settlement along its banks. The Agusan River greatly helped the booming of the "Logging Industry" which earned Butuan the name " Timber City of the South". Butuan sprawls across the Agusan River nine kilometers from its mouth. Towards this, to the north and seaward, run fertile rice lands. Halfway round the city to the southwest, roll the gently sloping hills over there Mount Mayapay looms. To the east, the majestic Hilong-hilong and Diwata mountain ranges protect the entire valley from fierce Pacific storms. Its very difficult to pinpoint the exact time when the name Butuan first emerged. Certainly, the name Agusan came into being upon the creation of the province in 1914. Before this, the entire area had been known as such, as can be born out by old historical records.

People an Culture
Butuan, the prehistori

c city by the river, is reportedly the site of the oldest settlement in the Philippines, and where the first catholic mass is said to have taken place. The Butuanons are warm and kind-hearted, just like its name, Butuan, from the word "But-an" meaning "good".

Area Profile

Butuan, the provincial capital, is located at the central part of Agusan del Norte province. It lies fl

at along the banks of Agusan River following along course within the province of Davao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte and drains into Butuan Bay. Butuan serves a strategic center of the Northern Mindanao region. The national highways fro

m Misamis Oriental, Surigao and Davao traverse the city and meet at the junction of Barangay Ampayon, effectively linking the Northern Mindanao provinces together.

Commerce and Industry

Butuan, like the Caraga Provinces, is primarily an agricultural province. It is also one of the leading rice producer after Bukidnon. Butuan is also a major timber producer in the region. There are 23 lumber producers and plywood plants in the city. Butuan's rattan is one of the best in the country. Other products include corn, vegetable, coconuts and bananas.
Commerce and Industry
Butuan, like the Caraga Provinces, is primarily an agricultural province. It is also one of the leading rice producer after Bukidnon. Butuan is also a major timber producer in the region. There are 23 lumber producers and plywood plants in the city. Butuan's rattan is one of the best in the country. Other products include corn, vegetable, coconuts and bananas.

Tourist Spots in Butuan - Philippines

The Butuan Regional Museum

Considered as one of the most inviting and impressive tourist sites in Butuan City, Butuan Regional Museum features artifacts that are important to the culture and history of the place. To organize the collections in this tourist destination, the museum is divided into two parts, which are named as Ethnological Hall and Archaeological Hall. Ethnological Hall features artifacts that are significant to the culture of present generations of residents in the city. On the other hand, Archaeological Hall features

artifacts that are important to the way of life of ancient people in Butuan.

The Diocesan Ecclesiastical Museum

Besides Butuan Regional Museum, Diocesan Ecclesiastical Museum plays home to collections of relics that portrayed the culture of early residents of the city. Inside the premises of the place, people can find religious artifacts such as cups, goblets, as well as apparels used by former religious leaders in Butuan. Even if this place is not as beautiful and impressive as other tourist destinations in the place, many devotees regularly visit the museum.

Santo Niño Diocesan Shrine

An inviting place to visit in Butuan City, Santo Nino Diocesan Shrine takes a spotin the top 5 tourist spots in Butuan Philippines. According to local residents, Magellan first brought Santo Nino in Butuan City, which inspired early people in the city to create this shrine. Aside from the historic and religious value of the shrine, many devotees and tourists visit this spot for it also plays home to other valuable religious relics and artifacts.

Mount Mayapay

In terms of natural attractions, Butuan City takes pride in the famous, majestic, and beautiful Mount Mayapay. Located near Santo Nino Diocesan Shrine, Mount Mayapay is usually visited by adventurers, as well as hikers in Butuan. According to local residents, the mountain has a rich history and culture. One evidence that this mountain is important to the culture of people in the city, is its name, which is believed to be patterned after

the name of the early empire, Madjapahit. Moreover, Mount Mayapay is accessible to Agusan Valley, another tourist destination in the place, which makes it more luring to travelers.

Butuan Boats

Finally, Butuan Boats is another tourist destination in Butuan City that attracts travelers and tourists. Also known as Balangays, Butuan Boats are considered as early sea vessels in the Philippines.

Nine of the boats recovered by archaeologists were dated back 4th century A. D.

Aside from the utility of these vessels in the early times, many tourists in the city like to see the boats for they have unique features, as well as distinct styles. Hence, every traveler in the place is encouraged to see the vessels for they cannot find similar boats in the other regions of the country.