Davao de Oro, Province in the Philippines, Mindanao.
Davao de Oro is a province on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines, covering mountains, rivers, and broad valley landscapes. The towns spread across slopes and plains, connected by winding roads that pass through forested areas and agricultural land.
The province emerged in 1998 through separation from Davao del Norte and gained its current name in 2019 after a public vote. The earlier designation Compostela Valley referenced Spanish settlers, while the new name reflects the mining tradition of the region.
Local communities speak regional dialects and maintain craft traditions visible in small workshops along main roads. Markets display agricultural produce from the valleys, while town festivals blend religious and indigenous customs together.
Nabunturan serves as the capital and offers lodging along with bus connections to other municipalities along the national highways. The best travel period falls outside the heaviest rain months, when mountain roads are easier to navigate.
The province's name literally means gold, and visitors often notice small gold panning operations along rivers in remote valleys. Some towns still show traces of old mine shafts, now serving as reminders of the mining history.
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