Davao City, Million city in Davao Region, Philippines
Davao City is an administrative center in the Davao Region on the island of Mindanao, spreading across several hundred square kilometers. The topography shifts from coastal zones along Davao Gulf to the slopes of Mount Apo, dividing the area into several distinct landscape zones.
Spanish colonists established a settlement at the confluence of the Davao River and the coast in the mid-19th century. The modern municipality grew into an agricultural and commercial hub for Mindanao after the Second World War.
Markets and festivals in town bring together Bagobo, Maguindanao, Maranao and other ethnic groups who maintain their own languages and traditions. Durian appears everywhere on street stalls and in public food markets, acting as a symbol of regional identity.
Buses, jeepneys and minivans connect different districts, and long rides should be expected due to the size of the urban area. The best time to visit falls in the drier months between December and May.
A conservation facility on the edge of town runs breeding programs for the Philippine eagle, a large raptor surviving in few areas. Visitors can observe the birds in large enclosures and learn about protection efforts.
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