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For the municipality in the province of Davao Oriental, see Caraga, Davao Oriental.
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Region XIII
Caraga
Region
Map of the Philippines showing the location of Region XIII
Country Philippines
Island group Mindanao
Regional center Butuan City
Area
• Total 21,471 km2 (8,290 sq mi)
Population (2010)[1] • Total 2,429,224 • Density 110/km2 (290/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
Provinces 5
Cities 6
Municipalities 70
Barangays 1,310
Cong. districts 7
Languages Surigaonon, Cebuano, Butuanon, Manobo, other minority languages
Caraga is an administrative region of the Philippines, on the northeastern portion of the island of Mindanao, designated as Region XIII. The Caraga Region was created through Republic Act No. 7901 on February 23, 1995. The region is composed of five provinces: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands;[2] six cities: Bayugan, Butuan, Cabadbaran, Surigao, Tandag, Bislig; 67 municipalities and 1,311 barangays. Butuan City is the regional center.
Contents [show]
Etymology[edit]
The etymology of the word "Caraga" is said to have originated from the native word "Kalag" which means "spirit of soul". Hence, the whole Provincia de Caraga of AD 1622 was called "region de gente animosa", that is "region of spirited men". Another fictional etymology of the name "Caraga" flows from a local legend as coming from the word "Cagang", a numerous small crabs matting the beach of Caraga, which is also known as "katang" to the native Caraguenos. Legend goes that the town was named as such because the first Spanish missionaries who came in the early years of 1600 found numerous small crabs matting the beach.
Geography[edit]
Caraga Region, situated in the