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Negros island in the Philippines is the most exciting
place to see among the other Visayan islands. The
fourth largest island in the country, it was believed
to have once been a part of the island of Mindanao, but
was cut off - either by continental drift or the rising
waters at the end of the ice age. The island, formerly
called "Buglas" by the early inhabitants, is a melting
pot of Negrito, Chinese and Malay groups.
Spanish explorers on the expedition of Miguel Lopez de
Legaspi first came to the Negros Island in the
Philippines in April 1565. Legaspi dropped anchor in
Bohol and sent his men to scout the Negros Island in the
Philippines. Because of the strong currents of the Tanon
Strait between Cebu and Negros, they were carried for
several days and forced to land on the western side of
the Negros Island in the Philippines. They reported
seeing many dark-skinned inhabitants, and they called
the island "Negros". The Negros Island in the
Philippines was sparsely settled at the time, except for
a few coastal settlements including Ilog and Binalbagan.
The capital was transferred to Himamaylan in 1795.
Negros became a politico-military province in 1856 and
the capital was transferred to Bacolod.
Also
known for the numerous sugar milling factories, the
island is known more for the sugar it produces.
With
the various towns and cities around the province,
economic activity has picked up, bringing with it a
steady influx of tourists and investors. Beautiful
destinations are also fast becoming major attractions
for visitors to come to Negros Island in the
Philippines. |
