Dumaguete City, Philippines, The

Dumaguete City is a 2nd class city in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. It is the largest city, principal seaport, and capital city of Negros Oriental. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 102,265 people in 21,582 households.

People and culture

Dumaguete is nicknamed the "City of Gentle People," due to the observation that its people have a more liesurely pace of life than most Philippine cities of considerable size.

Dumaguete City is renowned as one of the best "university towns" in the country and has four universities: Silliman University, Saint Paul's University, Negros Oriental State University, and Foundation University. Silliman University is the oldest Protestant university in the country and the oldest American-established university in Asia.

Dumaguete has earned the distinction of being known as "the center of learning in the south," or a "university town" due to the presence of these universities that have made their mark nationally and abroad. The city's ambience and tranquil, moderate way of life make it conducive to learning and intellectual pursuits. The city has become a melting pot of students, professionals, artists, scholars and the literati coming from different parts of the country and the world.

Physical

With an area of 34 square kilometres, Dumaguete is bounded in the east by the Mindanao Sea, on the north by the municipality of Sibulan, Bacong on the south and Valencia on the west.

History

The name "Dumaguete" was coined from the Visayan word "daggit", which means "to snatch", due to the frequent marauding attacks of Muslim pirates. In 1572, Diego Lopez Povedano indicated the place as "Dananguet". In 1734, Murillo Velarde referred to it using its present name, Dumaguete.

On June 15, 1948, Republic Act No. 327 created the City of Dumaguete.

Barangays

Dumaguete City is politically subdivided into 30 barangays. The eight barangays in the city's urban center are known primarily by number.