View source for Sorsogon

{{Short description|Province in Bicol, Philippines}}
{{About||the city|Sorsogon City|other uses}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=April 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Sorsogon
| settlement_type    = {{PH wikidata|settlement_type}}
| image_skyline      = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = Kayaking at Bulusan Lake.jpg
| photo2a = Mount Bulusan view from San Bernardino Strait Matnog (Sorsogon; 04-26-2023).jpg
| photo2b = Sorsogon City Centro, Rizal Street-Magsaysay (Sorsogon City; 04-23-2023).jpg
| photo3a = Barcelona Church at night.jpg
| photo3b = Bulusan Park = Allan Jay Quesada.jpg
| photo4a = Sorsogon Provincial Capitol (Rizal Street, Sorsogon City; 04-23-2023).jpg
| size = 250
| spacing = 2
| color = transparent
| border = 0
}}
| image_caption      = (from top: left to right) [[Lake Bulusan]], [[Mount Bulusan]], [[Sorsogon City]] Downtown, [[Barcelona, Sorsogon|Barcelona church]], [[Bulusan Volcano National Park]], [[Sorsogon City|Sorsogon Provincial Capitol]].
| image_flag         = PH-SOR Flag 2.png
| flag_size          = 120x80px
| image_seal         = Sorsogon Provincial Seal.png
| seal_size          = 100x80px
| anthem             = Marcha nin Sorsogon (Sorsogon March)
| image_shield       = 
| image_map          = {{PH wikidata|image_map}}
| map_caption        = Location in the Philippines
| coordinates        = {{PH wikidata|coordinates}}
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{PH wikidata|country}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of the Philippines|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{PH wikidata|region}}
| established_title  = [[Date of establishment|Founded]]
| established_date   = October 17, 1894<ref name="Official">[http://sorsogon.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=60 History of Sorsogon]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Official Website of the Government of Sorsogon. Retrieved on June 6, 2010</ref><ref>[http://philagribiz.com/userfiles/RFU%205%20SORSOGON.PDF Sorsogon, Where Comes the World's Largest Fish] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715073408/http://philagribiz.com/userfiles/RFU%205%20SORSOGON.PDF |date=July 15, 2011 }}. The Philippines Agribusiness Center. Retrieved on June 6, 2010.</ref>
| seat_type          = Capital<br />{{nobold|and largest city}}
| seat               = {{PH wikidata|seat}}
| government_type    = {{PH wikidata|government_type}}
| leader_party       = 
| leader_title       = [[Governor of Sorsogon|Governor]]
| leader_name        = [[Jose Edwin Hamor|Jose Edwin B. Hamor]] ([[Nationalist People's Coalition|NPC]])
| leader_title1      = [[Vice Governor]]
| leader_name1       = Krunimar Antonio D. Escudero II ([[Nationalist People's Coalition|NPC]])
| leader_title2      = Legislature
| leader_name2       = [[Sorsogon Provincial Board]]
| area_footnotes     = {{PSGC detail|nscb}}
| area_total_km2     = {{PH wikidata|area}}
| area_rank          = 59th out of 81
| elevation_max_m    = 1,565
| elevation_max_point = [[Mount Bulusan]]
| population_footnotes = {{PH census|current|05}}
| population_total   = {{PH wikidata|population_total}}
| population_as_of   = {{PH wikidata|population_as_of}}
| population_rank    = 36th out of 81
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_rank = 15th out of 81
| population_demonym = {{hlist|Sorsogueño|Sorsoganon}}
| demographics_type1 = Divisions
| demographics1_title1 = [[Cities of the Philippines#Independent cities|Independent&nbsp;cities]]
| demographics1_info1 = 0
| demographics1_title2 = [[Cities of the Philippines|Component cities]]
| demographics1_info2 = {{Collapsible list
| titlestyle              = font-weight:normal;text-align:left;background-color:WhiteSmoke;
| title                   = 1
 | [[Sorsogon City]]
}}
| demographics1_title3 = [[Municipalities of the Philippines|Municipalities]]
| demographics1_info3 = {{Collapsible list
| titlestyle              = font-weight:normal;text-align:left;background-color:WhiteSmoke;
| title                   = 14
 | [[Barcelona, Sorsogon|Barcelona]]
 | [[Bulan, Sorsogon|Bulan]]
 | [[Bulusan, Sorsogon|Bulusan]]
 | [[Casiguran, Sorsogon|Casiguran]]
 | [[Castilla, Sorsogon|Castilla]]
 | [[Donsol, Sorsogon|Donsol]]
 | [[Gubat, Sorsogon|Gubat]]
 | [[Irosin, Sorsogon|Irosin]]
 | [[Juban, Sorsogon|Juban]]
 | [[Magallanes, Sorsogon|Magallanes]]
 | [[Matnog, Sorsogon|Matnog]]
 | [[Pilar, Sorsogon|Pilar]]
 | [[Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon|Prieto Diaz]]
 | [[Santa Magdalena, Sorsogon|Santa Magdalena]]
}}
| demographics1_title4 = [[Barangay]]s
| demographics1_info4 = 541
| demographics1_title5 = [[House of Representatives of the Philippines|Districts]]
| demographics1_info5 = [[Legislative districts of Sorsogon]]
| timezone           = [[Philippine Standard Time|PHT]]
| utc_offset         = +8
| postal_code_type   = [[List of ZIP codes in the Philippines|ZIP Code]]
| postal_code        = {{PH wikidata|postal_code}}
| area_code_type     = {{areacodestyle}}
| area_code          = {{PH wikidata|area_code}}
| iso_code           = {{PH wikidata|iso_code}}
| blank_name_sec1    = Spoken languages
| blank_info_sec1    = {{hlist | [[Northern Sorsogon language|Northern Sorsogon]] | [[Bikol languages|Bikol]] | [[Filipino language|Filipino]] | [[Philippine English|English]] | [[Southern Sorsogon language|Waray Sorsogon]] | [[Waray language|Waray-Waray]] }}
| website            = {{Official URL}}
| image_map1         = {{hidden begin|title=OpenStreetMap|ta1=center}}{{Infobox mapframe|frame-width=250|zoom=8}}{{hidden end}}
}}

'''Sorsogon''', officially the '''Province of Sorsogon''' ([[Bikol languages|Bikol]]: ''Probinsya kan Sorsogon''; [[Waray language|Waray]]: ''Probinsya han Sorsogon''; {{langx|tl|Lalawigan ng Sorsogon}}), is a [[Provinces of the Philippines|province]] in the [[Philippines]] located in the [[Bicol Region]]. It is the southernmost province in the island of [[Luzon]] and is subdivided into fourteen municipalities (towns) and one city. Its capital (and largest city) is [[Sorsogon City]] (formerly the towns of ''Sorsogon'' and ''Bacon'') and borders the province of [[Albay]] to the north.

Sorsogon is at the tip of the [[Bicol Peninsula]] and faces the island of [[Samar]] to the southeast across the [[San Bernardino Strait]] and [[Ticao Island]] to the southwest. ''Sorsoganons'' is how the people of Sorsogon call themselves.

== History ==
{{Expand section|date=April 2016}}

===Spanish colonial era===
In 1570 two [[Augustinians|Augustinian]] friars, Alonzon Jiménez and Juan Orta, accompanied by a certain captain, Enrique de Guzmán, reached ''Hibalong'', a small fishing village near the mouth of [[Ginangra River]], and planted the cross and erected the first chapel in Luzon. It was from this village that [[Ibalong]], referring to the whole region, came to be. Moving inland with a northwesterly direction they passed by the territory now known as [[Pilar, Sorsogon|Pilar]], before they reached [[Camalig, Albay]]. The establishment of the [[Abucay-Catamlangan Mission]] later was ample proof of this. The early towns established here were: ''Gibalon'' in 1570 (now sitio of [[Magallanes, Sorsogon|Magallanes]]); [[Casiguran, Sorsogon|Casiguran]] – 1600; [[Bulusan, Sorsogon|Bulusan]] – 1631; Pilar – 1635; [[Donsol, Sorsogon|Donsol]] – 1668; [[Bacon, Sorsogon|Bacon]] - 1754; Gubat - 1764; [[Juban, Sorsogon|Juban]] and [[Matnog, Sorsogon|Matnog]] – 1800; [[Bulan, Sorsogon|Bulan]] – 1801; [[Castilla, Sorsogon|Castilla]] – 1827; [[Magallanes, Sorsogon|Magallanes]] – 1860; [[Barcelona, Sorsogon|Barcelona]] – 1866 and [[Irosin, Sorsogon|Irosin]] – 1880. The province was eventually separated from Albay on October 17, 1894, and adopted the name ''Sorsogon''. The town of Sorsogon was also selected as its capital.<ref name="Official" />

===American colonial era===
At the [[1934 Philippine Constitutional Convention election|1935 Philippine Constitutional Convention]], Sorsogon had its own delegates. They were Adolfo Grafilo, Francisco Arellano, José S. Reyes, and Mario Gaurino.

=== During the Marcos dictatorship ===
{{main|Martial law under Ferdinand Marcos|Human rights abuses of the Marcos dictatorship}}
The Philippines' gradual postwar recovery took a turn for the worse in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with the [[1969 Philippine balance of payments crisis]] being one of the early landmark events.<ref name=Balbosas1992>{{Cite journal |last=Balbosa |first=Joven Zamoras |date=1992 |title=IMF Stabilization Program and Economic Growth: The Case of the Philippines |journal=Journal of Philippine Development |volume=XIX |issue=35 |url=https://dirp4.pids.gov.ph/ris/pjd/pidsjpd92-2imf.pdf |access-date=November 6, 2022 |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921141056/https://dirp4.pids.gov.ph/ris/pjd/pidsjpd92-2imf.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Economic analysts generally attribute this to the ramp-up on loan-funded government spending to promote [[Ferdinand Marcos’ 1969 reelection campaign]],<ref name=Balbosas1992/><ref name="Balisacan&Hill2003">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O_L9k58WM9UC&q=The+Philippine+economy+under+Marcos:+A+balance+sheet |title=The Philippine Economy: Development, Policies, and Challenges |last1=Balisacan |first1=A. M. |last2=Hill |first2=Hal |date=2003 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780195158984 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Cororaton1997">{{Cite journal |last=Cororaton |first=Cesar B.  |title=Exchange Rate Movements in the Philippines |journal=DPIDS Discussion Paper Series 97-05 |pages=3, 19}}</ref><ref name="Kessler1989">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/rebellionrepress0000kess |title=Rebellion and repression in the Philippines |last=Kessler |first=Richard J. |date=1989 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=0300044062 |location=New Haven |oclc=19266663 |url-access=registration }}</ref> {{rp|page="43"}}<ref name="Celoza1997">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sp3U1oCNKlgC|title=Ferdinand Marcos and the Philippines: The Political Economy of Authoritarianism|last=Celoza|first=Albert F.|date=1997|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=9780275941376|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/philippinesreade00schi |title=The Philippines reader : a history of colonialism, neocolonialism, dictatorship, and resistance |last=Schirmer |first=Daniel B. |date=1987 |publisher=South End Press |isbn=0896082768 |edition=1st |location=Boston |oclc=14214735 }}</ref> The next two and a half years were fraught with social conflicts as various sectors went to the streets to express their dissastisfaction with policies that fostered widespread poverty.<ref name ="Kasaysayan9ch10"/>  In 1972, one year before the expected end of his last constitutionally allowed term as president in 1973, Ferdinand Marcos placed the Philippines under [[Martial Law under Ferdinand Marcos|Martial Law]].<ref name ="Kasaysayan9ch10">{{Cite book |title=Kasaysayan, The Story of the Filipino People Volume 9:A Nation Reborn. |publisher=Asia Publishing Company Limited |year=1998 |editor-last=Magno |editor-first=Alexander R. |location=Hong Kong |chapter=Democracy at the Crossroads}}</ref> This allowed Marcos to remain in power for fourteen more years, during which Sorsogon went through many social and economic ups and downs.<ref name ="Kasaysayan9ch10"/>   Labor unions and protest actions were banned, media outlets were shuttered, the legislature was shuttered, and freedom of expression was generally suppressed. Those who expressed opinions which criticized the government or its policies were [[red-tagging in the Philippines|accused of being communists]] and arrested without warrant.<ref name ="Kasaysayan9ch10"/>

During this time, many citizens of Sorsogon joined the effort to resist the erosion of democracy, and many of them became [[political detainees under the Marcos dictatorship|political detainees]], or were [[human rights abuses of the Marcos dictatorship|tortured]] and [[Extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances in the Philippines|killed]] by the dictatorship's forces.<ref name ="Kasaysayan9ch10"/> Among the more prominent of them were local figures [[Antonia Vytiaco|Ma. Antonia Teresa “Nanette” Vytiaco]], [[Antonio Ariado|Antonio "Tony" Ariado]], Ceasar Gavanzo Jr., and Manuel Dorotan, as well as figures like [[Liliosa Hilao]] and [[Juan Escandor]], who were killed in Manila. Vytiaco, Ariado, Gavanzo, Dorotan, Hilao, and Escandor have all since been honored by having their names inscribed on the Wall of Remembrance at the Philippines' [[Bantayog ng mga Bayani]], which honors the martyrs and heroes who fought against the authoritarian regime.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bantayogngmgabayani.org/jesse-robredo-about-naga-city/ | title=Jesse Robredo: What is it about Naga? - Bantayog ng mga Bayani | date=May 23, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://bulanobserver.wordpress.com/2013/01/10/remembering-the-three-martyrs-of-bulan/ | title=Remembering the Three Martyrs of Bulan | date=January 10, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/19/a-nation-of-heroes#google_vignette | title=A nation of heroes | website=[[Manila Bulletin]] }}</ref>

===Contemporary===
In 2000, [[Sorsogon City]] was created through the merging of the municipalities of Bacon and Sorsogon.<ref name="CongressGovPH-RA8806">{{cite web|title=Republic Act No. 8806 - An Act Creating the City of Sorsogon by Merging the Municipalities of Bacon and Sorsogon in the Province of Sorsogon and Appropriating Funds Therefor|url=http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_11/RA08806.pdf|website=House of Representatives of the Philippines|access-date=April 17, 2016|date=August 16, 2000|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183208/http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_11/RA08806.pdf|archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Bulusan.jpg|thumb|left|[[Bulusan Lake]] on the slope of [[Bulusan Volcano National Park]]]]
Sorsogon covers a total area of {{convert|2,119.01|km2}}{{PSGC detail|nscb}} occupying the southeastern tip of the [[Bicol Peninsula]] in [[Luzon]]. The province is bordered on the north by [[Albay]], east by the [[Philippine Sea]], south by the [[San Bernardino Strait]], and west and northwest by the [[Ticao Pass|Ticao]] and [[Burias Pass]]es. The [[Sorsogon Bay]] lies within the central portion of the province.

The province has an irregular topography. Except for landlocked [[Irosin]], all the towns lie along the coast. They are all connected by concrete and asphalt roads. Mountain's sprawl over the northeast, southeast and west portions. [[Mount Bulusan]], the tallest peak, rises {{convert|1560|m|ft}} above sea level.

Except for its overland link with the province of [[Albay]] to the north, it is completely surrounded by water. Sorsogon is the gateway of [[Luzon]] to the [[Visayas]] through its [[Roll-on/Roll-off]] ferry terminal facilities located in the municipalities of Matnog, Pilar and Bulan.
{{clear left}}

===Administrative divisions===
Sorsogon comprises 14 [[Philippine municipality|municipalities]] and 1 [[Cities of the Philippines|city]].

[[File:Ph fil sorsogon.png|thumb|upright=1.1|{{center|'''Political map of Sorsogon'''}}]]

{{unbulleted list
| {{Color box|#CCFFCC|†|border=darkgray}} {{font|Provincial capital and component city|size=90%}}
| {{Color box|#FDFDFD|border=darkgray}} {{font|Municipality|size=90%}}
}}
{{col-begin|width=auto}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto;table-layout:fixed;text-align:right;background-color:#FDFDFD;font-size:90%;border-collapse:collapse;"
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" colspan=2 | City {{small|or}} municipality
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" | [[Legislative districts of Sorsogon|District]]{{PSGC detail|nscb}}
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" colspan=3 | Population
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" | {{PSGC rubric}}
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" colspan=2 | Area{{PSGC detail|nscb}}
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" colspan=2 | Density
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Barangay|Total number of barangays}}
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" | [[Coordinates]]{{ref label|Coord|A|none}}
|-
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" colspan=2 |
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" |
! scope="col" style="border-style:hidden hidden solid solid;" colspan=2 | {{small|(2020)}}{{PH census|2020|05}}
! scope="col" style="border-style:hidden solid solid hidden;" | {{small|(2015)}}{{PH census|2015|05}}
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" |
! scope="col" style="border-style:hidden hidden solid solid;" | km<sup>2</sup>
! scope="col" style="border-style:hidden solid solid hidden;" class="unsortable" | {{nowrap|sq mi}}
! scope="col" style="border-style:hidden hidden solid solid;" | /km<sup>2</sup>
! scope="col" style="border-style:hidden solid solid hidden;" class="unsortable" | {{nowrap|/sq mi}}
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" |
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" |
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" colspan=2 | [[Barcelona, Sorsogon|Barcelona]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 2nd
| {{percent and number|20,987|828,655|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 20,990
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|20,987|2015.3315|20,990}}
| {{convert|61.18|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|20,987/61.18|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 25
| style="text-align:center;" | {{coord|12.8663|N|124.1451|E|name=Barcelona|region:PH-SOR_type:city|format=dms}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" colspan=2 | [[Bulan, Sorsogon|Bulan]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 2nd
| {{percent and number|105,190|828,655|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 100,076
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|105,190|2015.3315|100,076}}
| {{convert|196.96|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|105,190/196.96|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 63
| style="text-align:center;" | {{coord|12.6677|N|123.8775|E|name=Bulan|region:PH-SOR_type:city|format=dms}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" colspan=2 | [[Bulusan, Sorsogon|Bulusan]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 2nd
| {{percent and number|23,932|828,655|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 22,884
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|23,932|2015.3315|22,884}}
| {{convert|96.30|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|23,932/96.30|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 24
| style="text-align:center;" | {{coord|12.7518|N|124.1371|E|name=Bulusan|region:PH-SOR_type:city|format=dms}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" colspan=2 | [[Casiguran, Sorsogon|Casiguran]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 1st
| {{percent and number|35,602|828,655|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 32,842
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|35,602|2015.3315|32,842}}
| {{convert|87.13|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|35,602/87.13|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 25
| style="text-align:center;" | {{coord|12.8734|N|124.0093|E|name=Casiguran|region:PH-SOR_type:city|format=dms}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" colspan=2 | [[Castilla, Sorsogon|Castilla]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 1st
| {{percent and number|60,635|828,655|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 57,827
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|60,635|2015.3315|57,827}}
| {{convert|186.20|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|60,635/186.20|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 34
| style="text-align:center;" | {{coord|12.9501|N|123.8789|E|name=Castilla|region:PH-SOR_type:city|format=dms}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" colspan=2 | [[Donsol, Sorsogon|Donsol]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 1st
| {{percent and number|50,281|828,655|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 49,711
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|50,281|2015.3315|49,711}}
| {{convert|156.20|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|50,281/156.20|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 51
| style="text-align:center;" | {{coord|12.9077|N|123.5986|E|name=Donsol|region:PH-SOR_type:city|format=dms}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" colspan=2 | [[Gubat, Sorsogon|Gubat]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 2nd
| {{percent and number|60,294|828,655|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 59,534
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|60,294|2015.3315|59,534}}
| {{convert|134.51|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|60,294/134.51|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 42
| style="text-align:center;" | {{coord|12.9178|N|124.1241|E|name=Gubat|region:PH-SOR_type:city|format=dms}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" colspan=2 | [[Irosin, Sorsogon|Irosin]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 2nd
| {{percent and number|59,267|828,655|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 56,662
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|59,267|2015.3315|56,662}}
| {{convert|149.87|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|59,267/149.87|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 28
| style="text-align:center;" | {{coord|12.7023|N|124.0341|E|name=Irosin|region:PH-SOR_type:city|format=dms}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" colspan=2 | [[Juban, Sorsogon|Juban]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 1st
| {{percent and number|35,297|828,655|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 32,320
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|35,297|2015.3315|32,320}}
| {{convert|121.49|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|35,297/121.49|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 25
| style="text-align:center;" | {{coord|12.8476|N|123.9894|E|name=Juban|region:PH-SOR_type:city|format=dms}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" colspan=2 | [[Magallanes, Sorsogon|Magallanes]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 1st
| {{percent and number|37,411|828,655|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 37,038
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|37,411|2015.3315|37,038}}
| {{convert|150.09|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|37,411/150.09|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 34
| style="text-align:center;" | {{coord|12.8271|N|123.8371|E|name=Magallanes|region:PH-SOR_type:city|format=dms}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" colspan=2 | [[Matnog, Sorsogon|Matnog]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 2nd
| {{percent and number|41,989|828,655|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 41,101
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|41,989|2015.3315|41,101}}
| {{convert|162.40|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|41,989/162.40|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 40
| style="text-align:center;" | {{coord|12.5861|N|124.0856|E|name=Matnog|region:PH-SOR_type:city|format=dms}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" colspan=2 | [[Pilar, Sorsogon|Pilar]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 1st
| {{percent and number|75,793|828,655|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 74,564
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|75,793|2015.3315|74,564}}
| {{convert|248.00|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|75,793/248.00|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 49
| style="text-align:center;" | {{coord|12.9231|N|123.6741|E|name=Pilar|region:PH-SOR_type:city|format=dms}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" colspan=2 | [[Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon|Prieto Diaz]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 2nd
| {{percent and number|22,644|828,655|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 22,442
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|22,644|2015.3315|22,442}}
| {{convert|49.07|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|22,644/49.07|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 23
| style="text-align:center;" | {{coord|13.0406|N|124.1932|E|name=Prieto Diaz|region:PH-SOR_type:city|format=dms}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" colspan=2 | [[Santa Magdalena, Sorsogon|Santa Magdalena]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 2nd
| {{percent and number|17,096|828,655|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 16,848
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|17,096|2015.3315|16,848}}
| {{convert|43.50|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|17,096/43.50|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 14
| style="text-align:center;" | {{coord|12.6463|N|124.1079|E|name=Santa Magdalena|region:PH-SOR_type:city|format=dms}}
|-style="background-color:#CCFFCC;"
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#CCFFCC;border-right:0;" | [[Sorsogon City]]
| style="text-align:right;border-left:0;" | †
| style="text-align:center;" | 1st
| {{percent and number|182,237|828,655|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 168,110
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|182,237|2015.3315|168,110}}
| {{convert|276.11|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|182,237/276.11|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 64
| style="text-align:center;" | {{coord|12.9707|N|124.0052|E|name=Sorsogon City|region:PH-SOR_type:city|format=dms}}
|-class="sortbottom"
! scope="row" colspan=4 style="text-align:left;" | Total
! scope="col" style="text-align:right;" | 828,655
! scope="col" style="text-align:right;" | 792,949
! scope="col" style="text-align:right;" | {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|828,655|2015.3315|792,949}}
! scope="col" style="text-align:right;" | 2,119.01
! scope="col" | {{convert|2,119.01|km2|disp=number|2}}
! scope="col" style="text-align:right;" | {{sigfig|828,655/2,119.01|2}}
! scope="col" style="text-align:right;" | {{convert|{{sigfig|828,655/2,119.01|2}}|PD/km2|disp=number}}
! scope="col" | 541
! scope="col" style="font-style:italic;" | {{small|(see [[#External links|GeoGroup box]])}}
|-class="sortbottom" style="background-color:#F2F2F2;border-top:double grey;line-height:1.3em;"
| colspan="13" |
{{Ordered list
| list_style_type=upper-alpha
| {{note label|Coord|A|none}}Coordinates mark the [[town center|city/town center]], and are sortable by [[latitude]].
}}
|}
{{col-end}}

===Climate===
Sorsogon belongs to Type 2 climate based on the Climate Map of the Philippines by the [[Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration]] (PAGASA). Being a Type 2, Sorsogon has No dry season with a pronounced rainfall from November to January.
{{Weather box
| location = Sorsogon
| single line = Yes
| metric first = Yes
| temperature colour = pastel
| Jan high C = 31
| Feb high C = 31
| Mar high C = 32
| Apr high C = 34
| May high C = 34
| Jun high C = 33
| Jul high C = 33
| Aug high C = 33
| Sep high C = 33
| Oct high C = 33
| Nov high C = 32
| Dec high C = 31
| year high C = 34
| Jan low C = 23
| Feb low C = 23
| Mar low C = 24
| Apr low C = 25
| May low C = 26
| Jun low C = 25
| Jul low C = 25
| Aug low C = 25
| Sep low C = 25
| Oct low C = 25
| Nov low C = 25
| Dec low C = 24
| year low C = 24
| Jan precipitation mm = 150.8
| Feb precipitation mm = 101.8
| Mar precipitation mm = 82.3
| Apr precipitation mm = 44.9
| May precipitation mm = 132.5
| Jun precipitation mm = 146
| Jul precipitation mm = 196.9
| Aug precipitation mm = 181.6
| Sep precipitation mm = 168.5
| Oct precipitation mm = 199.2
| Nov precipitation mm = 191.2
| Dec precipitation mm = 233.7
| year precipitation mm = 152.45
| Jan rain days = 18
| Feb rain days = 14
| Mar rain days = 12
| Apr rain days = 7
| May rain days = 10
| Jun rain days = 14
| Jul rain days = 17
| Aug rain days = 18
| Sep rain days = 18
| Oct rain days = 20
| Nov rain days = 20
| Dec rain days = 22
| year rain days = 190
|source 1 = World Weather Online <small>(modeled/calculated data, not measured locally)</small>
{{cite web
| url       = http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Sorsogon-weather-averages/Sorsogon/PH.aspx
| publisher = World Weather Online
| title     = worldweatheronline.com
| year      = 2015
}}
}}

[[File:Nina 1987-11-25 0600Z.png|thumb|upright=1.1|Typhoon Nina (known as ''Sisang'') the strongest typhoon that hit the province killing at least 200 people]]

The province of Sorsogon normally gets 5 to 10 typhoons every year.

The most notable typhoon is in 1987, when Sorsogon was devastated by [[Typhoon Nina (1987)|Super Typhoon Nina]] named ''Sisang''. It was a major disaster in the Province of Sorsogon. Damages in properties cost millions of pesos and killing 200 people. It is said that Sisang is the strongest typhoon that hit the province, especially its capital, [[Sorsogon City]]. According to [[PAGASA]], Typhoon Nina ravaged with a wind of {{convert|180|km/h|m/s}} and a gustiness of {{cvt|200|km/h|m/s}}. Thousands of houses plus business establishments were destroyed by the said natural calamity. Typhoon Sisang hit the Sorsogon soil at around 7:00 pm and it last until dawn of the next day. It also caused massive [[storm surge]]s particularly around the [[Sorsogon Bay]] area which contributed to the many fatalities during the battering of the typhoon.

[[Typhoon Xangsane]] (''Milenyo'') also battered the province in September 2006 with torrential rains and strong winds. It caused massive flooding and caused infrastructure and agricultural damages. Damages to the entire province was initially placed at {{₱|link=yes}}2.23 billion, of which {{₱}}1.27 billion was accounted for by damaged houses. Agriculture suffered damage worth {{₱}}234.21 million; school facilities, {{₱}}51 million and infrastructure, {{₱}}208 million.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}

==Demographics==
{{Philippine Census
| align= left
| title= Population census of {{PH wikidata|name}}
| 1903 = 161,921
| 1918 = 245,956
| 1939 = 247,653
| 1948 = 291,138
| 1960 = 347,771
| 1970 = 427,047
| 1975 = 446,502
| 1980 = 500,685
| 1990 = 522,960
| 1995 = 591,927
| 2000 = 650,535
| 2007 = 709,673
| 2010 = 740,743
| 2015 = 792,949
| 2020 = 828,655
| 2024 = {{PH census population|2024}}
| 2030 = 
| footnote = Figures before 1920 exclude areas that became part of [[Masbate]].<br />Source: Philippine Statistics Authority{{PH census|2015|05}}{{PH census|2010|05}}{{PH census|2010}}<ref name="NSOBicolCom">{{cite web|title=Census 2000; Population and Housing; Region V|url=http://www.nsobicol.com/Special_Release_CPH/Special_Release_on_CPH_2000_Region_V_Final.pdf|website=Philippine Statistics Authority (Philippine Statistics Authority - Region V)|access-date=June 29, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060235/http://www.nsobicol.com/Special_Release_CPH/Special_Release_on_CPH_2000_Region_V_Final.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

===Population===
The population of Sorsogon in the 2020 census was 828,655 people, with a density of {{convert|{{sigfig|828,655/2,119.01|2}}|PD/km2|disp=or}}.{{PH census|current|05}}

The top 5 towns with the greatest number of populations is Sorsogon City (168,110), Bulan (100,076), Pilar (74,564), Gubat (59,534), and Castilla (57,827). The least populated municipality since the 2000 census is Santa Magdalena.

Of the 704,024-household population in 2007, males accounted for 51.1% and while females comprised 48.9%.

The voting-age population of the province was 369,204 in 2007, equivalent to 52.1 percent of the household population.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.census.gov.ph/data/pressrelease/2010/pr1066tx.html |title=2007 Census |access-date=December 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305165138/http://www.census.gov.ph/data/pressrelease/2010/pr1066tx.html |archive-date=March 5, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Languages===
{{see also|Sorsogon languages{{!}}|Bisakol languages}}
The [[Bicolano language]] is predominantly used in Sorsogon as the language used by its people. Despite this, ''Bicolano'' itself, as used in the province, has many peculiarities. What is known as "''Bikol Naga''" is generally used in written communications and generally understood there as a spoken language. However, the people who live in the southernmost parts of Sorsogon like [[Gubat]] speak the [[Waray language]]. In either case, [[English language|English]] and [[Filipino language|Filipino]] are the official languages used in education and government communication.

The [[Bikol languages]] are peculiar in some localities. For example, people in [[Bacon, Sorsogon|Bacon]], [[Prieto Diaz]] and [[Magallanes, Sorsogon|Magallanes]] speak the ''Albay Bikol'' variant. In [[Sorsogon City]], [[Casiguran, Sorsogon|Casiguran]] and [[Juban, Sorsogon|Juban]], Bicolano is different for some terms being used there, which have similarity to the [[Hiligaynon language]] (the language spoken in [[Western Visayas]] and southwestern [[Masbate]]).

In [[Barcelona, Sorsogon|Barcelona]], [[Gubat, Sorsogon|Gubat]], [[Bulusan, Sorsogon|Bulusan]], [[Matnog, Sorsogon|Matnog]], [[Irosin, Sorsogon|Irosin]] and [[Santa Magdalena, Sorsogon|Santa Magdalena]], a dialect is spoken in which terms and tones are similar to the [[Waray language]] of [[Eastern Visayas]] (particularly in [[Northern Samar]]) called [[Waray Sorsogon language]]. The people of [[Pilar, Sorsogon|Pilar]] and [[Donsol, Sorsogon|Donsol]] speak a dialect which is similar, but not exactly, to the "''Miraya Bicol''" or the dialect spoken by the nearby towns of [[Camalig, Albay|Camalig]] and [[Daraga, Albay|Daraga]] in [[Albay]] province. The ''Castilla'' dialect, although distinct, has a similarity to that which is spoken in Daraga.

====Sorsogon Ayta Language====
In 2010, [[UNESCO]] released its 3rd world volume of Endangered Languages in the World, where 3 critically endangered languages were in the Philippines. One of these languages in the ''Southern Ayta (Sorsogon Ayta)'' language which has an estimated speaker of 150 people in the year 2000. The language was classified as ''Critically Endangered'', meaning the youngest speakers are grandparents and older, and they speak the language partially and infrequently and hardly pass the language to their children and grandchildren anymore. If the remaining 150 people do not pass their native language to the next generation of Sorsogon Ayta people, their indigenous language will be extinct within a period of 1 to 2 decades.

The Sorsogon Ayta people live only on the municipality of [[Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon]]. They are one of the original Negrito settlers in the entire Philippines. They belong to the [[Aeta people]] classification but have distinct language and belief systems unique to their own culture and heritage.

===Religion===

Sorsogon is predominantly a [[Roman Catholicism in the Philippines|Catholic]] province. Spanish ''conquistadores'' gave Sorsogon its first encounter with [[Christianity in the Philippines|Christianity]]. This was in the year 1569 when Fray Alonzo Jimenez, OSA, chaplain of the expedition under Luis Enriquez de Guzman celebrated the first Mass upon landing on the coast of sitio Gibal-ong (or Gibalon), barangay Siuton, in the town of Magallanes. Christianity, however, was formally established in Sorsogon with the planting of the Cross on the shores of Casiguran town in 1600 by the [[Franciscan]] Friars. This was a prelude to the erection of the first church building dedicated to the Holy Rosary, still revered at present as the Patroness of Casiguran. From there, the Franciscan missionaries devotedly spread the faith to the other towns in Bacon (1617), Bulusan (1630) and Donsol (1668). The other twelve towns followed suit in the course of time. In the original geographic division, the province of Sorsogon formed part of Albay province. It seceded as a separate province on October 17, 1984. [[Catholicism]] is followed by 93% of the population of Sorsogon.

The [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Sorsogon|Diocese of Sorsogon]] was originally part of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Caceres|Archdiocese of Nueva Caceres]]. When it was made a separate diocese on June 29, 1951, it included the territory of [[Masbate]]. When the Diocese of Nueva Caceres was elevated into an archdiocese in the same year, [[Legazpi, Albay|Legazpi]] and Sorsogon were made [[suffragan diocese]]s of Nueva Caceres. On March 23, 1968, Masbate was made into a [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Masbate|separate diocese]]. At present the Diocese of Sorsogon covers simply the civil province of Sorsogon and the City of Sorsogon with the [[Sorsogon Cathedral|Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral]] in Sorsogon City as its seat.<ref name="gct">{{cite web |title=Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral Sorsogon City, Sorsogon, Bicol, Philippines |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/asia/1896.htm |access-date=June 29, 2021 |work=GCatholic}}</ref>

The Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) has the minority of this province each town has 2-3 locale chapels built, the whole province comprised 71 locale, and barangay chapels.

== Superstitions and local legends and beliefs ==
Prior to colonization, the region had a complex religious system which involved various deities. These deities include: Gugurang, the supreme god who dwells inside of [[Mount Mayon]] where he guards and protects the sacred fire in which an Aswang (local version of witches and monsters) and, his brother was trying to steal. Whenever people disobey his orders, wishes and commit numerous sins, he would cause Mount Mayon to burst lava as a sign of warning for people to mend their crooked ways. Ancient Bikolanos had a rite performed for him called Atang.;<ref name="ourownvoice.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.ourownvoice.com/tales/tales2004a-2.shtml |title=Asuang Steals Fire from Gugurang by Damiana L. Eugenio |access-date=April 3, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090526125514/http://www.ourownvoice.com/tales/tales2004a-2.shtml |archive-date=May 26, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="youtube.com">Clark, Jordan (2011) ''The Aswang Phenomenon'' Animation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goLgDpSStmc</ref> Asuang, the evil god who always tries to steal the sacred fire of Mount Mayon from his brother, Gugurang. Addressed sometimes as Aswang, he dwells mainly inside Mount Malinao. As an evil god, he would cause the people to suffer misfortunes and commit sins.<ref name="ourownvoice.com"/><ref name="youtube.com"/> Enemy of Gugurang and a friend of Bulan the god of the Moon; Haliya, the masked goddess of the moonlight and the archenemy of Bakunawa and protector of Bulan. Her cult is composed primarily of women. There is also a ritual dance named after her as it is performed to be a countermeasure against Bakunawa.;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090907-223978/Bicol-artists-protest-Natl-Artist-awardees |title=Inquirer NewsInfo: Bicol Artist protest Natl. Artist awardees |access-date=April 3, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911045425/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090907-223978/Bicol-artists-protest-Natl-Artist-awardees |archive-date=September 11, 2009 }}</ref> ''Bulan'', the god of the pale moon, he is depicted as a pubescent boy with uncommon comeliness that made savage beast and the vicious mermaids (Magindara) tame. He has deep affection towards Magindang, but plays with him by running away so that Magindang would never catch him. The reason for this is because he is shy to the man that he loves. If Magindang manages to catch Bulan, Haliya always comes to free him from Magindang's grip; ''Magindang'', the god of the sea and all its creatures. He has deep affection to the lunar god Bulan and pursues him despite never catching him. Due to this, the Bicolanos reasoned that it is to why the waves rise to reach the Moon when seen from the distant horizon. Whenever he does catch up to Bulan, Haliya comes to rescue Bulan and free him immediately; ''Okot'', god of forest and hunting; and ''[[Bakunawa]]'', a gigantic sea serpent deity who is often considered as the cause of eclipses, the devourer of the Sun and the Noon, and an adversary of Haliya as Bakunawa's main aim is to swallow Bulan, who Haliya swore to protect for all of eternity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/181693/eclipse-bakunawa-eats-the-sun-behind-a-curtain-of-clouds|title=GMANews: Eclipse; Bakunawa eats the sun behind a curtain of clouds|date=January 15, 2010 |access-date=April 3, 2010}}</ref>

==Economy==
{{stack|float=left|{{PH poverty incidence}}}}
[[File:AerialViewofSorsogonCity.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of [[Sorsogon City]]]]

The province's economic activity is highly concentrated in its capital city, [[Sorsogon City]], and the towns of [[Bulan, Sorsogon|Bulan]], Irosin, Gubat, Pilar and [[Matnog]] as well. [[Sorsogon Province]] is classified as 2nd class with an average annual income of ₱339.4M (C.Ys. 2000–2003). This is about ₱11M short for the province to attain 1st class reclassification which requires at least ₱350M average annual income.

The province had a great contribution on the 97-percent growth in investments for the first quarter of 2008 and increasing tourism arrivals that buoyed the [[Bicol Region]] economy, despite the damage brought about by incessant rains and a rice shortage. This is according to the ''Quarterly Regional Economic Situationer'' (QRES) released by the [[National Economic and Development Authority]] (NEDA) Regional Office in [[Bicol Region|Bicol]] ''(NRO 5)''.

Among the provinces, Sorsogon posted the highest growth (293% respectively) in investments from the previous year. Next to Sorsogon is [[Catanduanes]] that posted a growth of 280%. [[Albay]] contributed 39 percent to the region's investments and posted a growth of 221% from the preceding quarter.

“For the third time, [[Bicol Region]] hosted the kick-off of Asia's premier extreme sailing event, the ''Philippine Hobie Challenge'' last February 16 at [[Gubat, Sorsogon]]. This 260-mile journey from ''Gubat-Sambuyan-Bacsal-Marambut-Suluan'' to Siargao enticed both local and foreign water sports enthusiasts. It opened the opportunity for the municipality of Gubat to showcase the town's best,” the QRES stated.

Ranked from main sources of income, 40% of families in the province derived incomes from entrepreneurial activities, 33% from salaries and wages, and 27% from income from other sources such as rental incomes, interests, and overseas Filipino remittances.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pia.gov.ph/provinces/sorsogon|title=Sorsogon|website=pia.gov.ph|language=en|access-date=November 29, 2018}}</ref>

{{clear left}}

== Infrastructure ==

=== Transportation ===

==== Road ====
The [[Pan-Philippine Highway]] (N1/AH26), is the highway backbone network, and the secondary and tertiary roads interconnect most cities and municipalities in Pilar, Castilla, Sorsogon City, Casiguran, Juban, Irosin before ending at Matnog at the ferry terminal.

In order to spur development in the province, The Toll Regulatory Board declared Toll Road 5 the extension of [[South Luzon Expressway]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yugatech.com/news/slex-toll-road-5-to-connect-quezon-province-to-sorsogon/|title=SLEX Toll Road 5 to connect Quezon province to Sorsogon|work=YugaTech|date=August 18, 2020|access-date=December 27, 2020}}</ref> A 420-kilometer, four lane expressway starting from the terminal point of the now under construction SLEX Toll Road 4 at Barangay Mayao, Lucena City in Quezon to Matnog, Sorsogon, near the Matnog Ferry Terminal. On August 25, 2020, San Miguel Corporation announced that they will invest the project which will reduce travel time from Lucena to Matnog from 9 hours to 5.5 hours.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/752828/san-miguel-investing-p122b-for-slex-toll-road-5-pasig-river-expressway-projects/story/|title=San Miguel investing P122B for SLEX Toll Road 5, Pasig River Expressway projects|work=GMA News Online|date=August 25, 2020|access-date=December 27, 2020}}</ref>

==== Seaports ====
The Matnog Ferry Terminal provides access to the island of Northern Samar in Allen.

==Culture==

===Festivals===
====Town fiestas====
Most of the inhabitants of the province belong to the ethnolinguistic [[Bikol language|Bicolano]] and [[Bisakol]] groups. Sorsogueños are religious, being mostly [[Roman Catholic]]s, and are active in festivities celebrated throughout the year. Each town honors their [[Patron Saint]] with celebration on its [[Calendar of saints|Feast Day]]. In Sorsogon City, the locals celebrate the Fiesta of the [[Patron Saint]]s [[Saint Peter|Peter]] and [[Paul of Tarsus|Paul]] every June 28–29 annually. Another featured attraction during town fiestas are the [[traveling carnival]]s set up near the town center. In [[Gubat, Sorsogon|Gubat]], the feast of Gubat is celebrated on June 13.

[[File:Down Town Bulusan.jpg|thumb|Downtown Bulusan located east of the province]]

* '''Kasanggayahan Festival''' — celebrated in the whole province in the last week of October, commemorates the founding of Sorsogon as a province. Festivities include a series of cultural, historical, religious, agro-industrial and economic activities, showcasing the province's abundant agricultural products, particularly food and decorative items. One of the main activities and highlight of the festival is the Pantomina sa Tinampo, it is a kind of cultural-ethnic street dance native to the province. Hundreds of men and women participated, clad in colorful traditional Filipino couture while dancing barefoot as they parade around the city. 
[[File:Bicol_Region_Pili_Nuts3.jpg|200px|thumbnail|right|[[Canarium ovatum|Pili nuts]] (unshelled and roasted)]]
* '''Pili Festival''' — in Sorsogon City, honors the [[Pili nut]] and tree which is indigenous to province. The festival coincides with the town fiesta of Sorsogon City. Celebrations include street dancing by locals donning pili nut costumes, cooking competitions, fireworks displays, color run, and even a nutcracking session along the road by the locals.<ref>[http://www.sorsogontourism.com/festivals.htm Festivals in Sorsogon]. Sorsogon Tourism Website. Retrieved on June 6, 2010.</ref>
** On February 21, 2024, the [[Department of Agriculture (Philippines)|Department of Agriculture]] formally introduced a  new product, Sorsoganon’s Pili Milk at [[SM City Sorsogon]]. It is made from pili [[Fruit (plant structure)|nut hard shell]] (exocarp) or kernel. Currently,  the [[w:en: Bicol Region|Bicol Region]] has 13,435 farmers that cultivate 142,405 [[hectare]]s pili plantation. Hence, the Sorsogon Provincial Pili Development Board will petition for declaration of the province as the "Pili Capital of the Philippines".<ref>{{cite news |last1= Calipay|first1=Connie  |title=DA readies interventions for farmers eyeing pili milk production|url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1219643 |accessdate=May 16, 2024 |work=[[Philippine News Agency]] |date=February 27, 2024 }}</ref>
* '''Parau Festival''' – Pilar, Sorsogon celebrates Parau Festival every October.  The Festival coincides with the town fiesta of Pilar. Events include Inter-High School Sportsfest, DLC Competition, Parau Street Dancing Competition, Color Run, Palarong Bayan.
* '''Ginubat Festival''' – from Gubat, Sorsogon, a festival based on the roots of the town of which its name was derived. It features the following activities: cultural street parade, exhibit, sail boat race, beauty pageant, fiesta celebration and the Balik Gubat which is the highlight of the festival.

===Minorities===
Minorities include [[Muslim]] immigrants from [[Mindanao]], who engage in street vending and small shop businesses. A [[mosque]] is situated inside Sitio Bolangan on the outskirts of the city. A significant small [[Chinese people|Chinese]] population are owners of hardware stores and commodity shops and dwell in the business center. [[Indian people|Indian]] communities are also present and are [[Hindus]]. They are typically known to engage in money lending businesses—colloquially called "five-six".

==Government==
[[File:Sorsogon Provincial Capitol facade (Rizal Street, Sorsogon City; 04-23-2023).jpg|thumb|Sorsogon Provincial Capitol]]
Sorsogon is subdivided into 2 [[Legislative districts of Sorsogon|Congressional Districts]]. The 1st Congressional District comprises the City of Sorsogon and towns of Pilar, Donsol, and Castilla. The '''''Sorsogon Provincial Capitol''''' is located in the City of Sorsogon.

==See also==
* [[Spanish ship Santísima Trinidad (1751)]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{GeoGroup}}
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{OSM relation|1504631}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003650/http://www.blgs.gov.ph/lgpmsv2/cmshome/index.php?pageID=23&frmIdDcfCode=7&fLguType=P&frmIdRegion=8&frmIdProvince=&frmIdLgu=49 Local Governance Performance Management System]

{{Geographic location
| Centre    = Sorsogon
| North     = [[Albay]]
| East      = ''[[Philippine Sea]]''
| Southeast = ''[[San Bernardino Strait]]'' / [[Northern Samar]]
| South     = ''[[Samar Sea]]''
| Southwest = [[Masbate]] / ''Ticao Pass''
| Northwest = [[Masbate]] / ''Burias Pass''
}}

{{Sorsogon|state=expanded}}
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[[Category:Sorsogon| ]]
[[Category:Provinces of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Provinces of the Bicol Region]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1894]]
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