Caramoan

Caramoan
Municipality
Caramoan town center
Map of Camarines Sur showing the location of Caramoan
Caramoan Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 13°46′N 123°52′E / 13.767°N 123.867°ECoordinates: 13°46′N 123°52′E / 13.767°N 123.867°E
Country	Philippines
Region	Bicol (Region V)
Province	Camarines Sur
District	4th district
Barangays	49
Government[1]
• Councilors	List Eduardo B. Bonita Francis R. Benemerito Juanita P. Belleza Raul F. Villarete Manolo A. Pineda, Jr. Carlos B. Chavez Getulio A. Fernando, Jr. Lydia C. Obias Commission on Elections
Area[2]
• Total	276.00 km^2 (106.56 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
• Total	44,945
• Density	160/km^2 (420/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	4429
Dialing code	54
Income class	1st class

Caramoan is a first-class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Bicol Region, Philippines. It is located at the tip of the Caramoan Peninsula, a rugged place of land extending into the waters of the Maqueda Channel on the north and east and Lagonoy Gulf on the south. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 44,945 people.^[3]

Geography

Caramoan is bounded on the north by the town of Garchitorena and the Philippine Sea of the Pacific Ocean; on the north-east by the island province of Catanduanes; on the south by Lagonoy Gulf; on the east by the Maqueda Channel and on the west by the municipality of Presentacion.

The municipality covers approximately 277.41 square kilometres (107.11 sq mi) with approximately 71 kilometres (44 mi) of irregular coastline surrounded by the vast ocean, bay, seas and swamps. It is approximately 500 kilometres (310 mi) from Metro Manila; 95 kilometres (59 mi) from the municipality of Pili, where the seat of the provincial government and the Naga Domestic Airport are located; and 110 kilometres (68 mi) east from Naga City, the heart of Bicol.

Barangays

Caramoan is politically subdivided into 49 barangays.^[2]

• Agaas
• Antolon
• Bacgong
• Bahay
• Bikal
• Binanuahan (Pob.)
• Cabacongan
• Cadong
• Colongcogong
• Canatuan
• Caputatan
• Gogon
• Daraga
• Gata
• Gibgos
• Guijalo
• Hanopol
• Hanoy
• Haponan
• Ilawod
• Ili-Centro (Pob.)
• Lidong
• Lubas
• Malabog
• Maligaya
• Mampirao
• Mandiclum
• Maqueda
• Minalaba
• Oring
• Oroc-Osoc
• Pagolinan
• Pandanan
• Paniman
• Patag-Belen
• Pili-Centro
• Pili-Tabiguian
• Poloan
• Salvacion
• San Roque
• San Vicente
• Sta. Cruz
• Solnopan
• Tabgon
• Tabiguian
• Tabog
• Tawog (Pob.)
• Toboan
• Terogo

Caramoan Islands

Off the coast of the peninsula are numerous small islets. The 10 principal islands of the group are:^[4]

• Bag-ing
• Cagbanilad
• Catanhawan
• Cotivas
• Lahus
• Lahuy
• Matukad
• Minalahos
• Pitogo
• Sabitang-Laya

Matukad Island

History

The name Caramoan has been officially used since 1619, the year it was named by a Spanish missionary friar, Francisco de la Cruz Y Oropesa. Fr. Oropesa penetrated the thick virgin forest of the Caramoan Peninsula and founded a small settlement in a place called Baluarte. This settlement was subsequently turned over to the administration of the Holy Bishopric in 1696.

Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, it was determined that the place was once called Guta de Leche, which was given by Dutch traders who operated a gold mine in Lahuy Island and who frequented the area to trade with the natives. The name was perhaps derived from the milkdrop stalagmites found among the rocks of Guta Port. Upon the arrival of the Spaniards, the place came to be called "Carahan" for the sea turtle, which was at that time to be found in great number along the shores of the Peninsula.

Demographics

Population census of Caramoan
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1990	36,107	—
1995	39,416	+1.66%
2000	39,642	+0.12%
2007	40,810	+0.40%
2010	44,945	+3.57%
Source: National Statistics Office[3][5]

Tourism

Tourist destinations include the Caramoan National Park, the Centro, and Gota Beach, where activities include diving, swimming, snorkeling and spelunking.

Survivor

Caramoan has been the site for several editions of the competitive reality television show Survivor. The area has hosted the U.S. version in two consecutive seasons (Survivor: Philippines and Survivor: Caramoan), the Serbian version for two consecutive seasons and the Israeli version for three consecutive seasons (** Survivor 10: Philippine Islands, Survivor 10: Fans vs. Favorites, Survivor 10: Camarines). Bulgarian Survivor also filmed its fourth season there in May to July 2009. Robinson 2010, the 12th season of the Swedish version of the franchise, was filmed in Caramoan from May to June 2010.

The 8th season of Koh-Lanta, the French edition of Survivor, also was shot there. TV director Corinne Vaillant stated that "the powdery sand, the coconuts on Gota beach and the neighboring islets are a 'dream' for the French people. We chose Caramoan because it’s really wild. It’s necessary that contestants don’t see anything other than nature for them to believe that they’re really lost in the wilds.”^[6]

The only season of Survivor India was shot in Caramoan, with an Indian production crew spotted in the area in March 2011.^[7]

References

1. "Municipalities". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
2. "Province: CAMARINES SUR". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
3. "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
4. "Caramoan Islands". CaramoanIslands.com. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
5. "Province of Camarines Sur". Municipality Population Data. LWUA Research Division. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
6. Aguilar, Ephraim (May 8, 2008). "4th-class town well on the way to celeb status". Inquirer.net. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
7. Talagtag, Jr., Anselmo (October 30, 2011). "How Caramoan wowed "Survivor India"". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved September 15, 2012.

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Official Site of the Province of Camarines Sur