Negros Occidental, Province in Western Visayas, Philippines
Negros Occidental occupies the northwestern portion of Negros Island and covers more than 7,800 square kilometers of land with mountains, valleys, and coastal plains. The province includes numerous municipalities and cities, with the capital Bacolod situated along the western coast of the island.
Spanish colonizers named the island Negros in 1565 and established the first capital in Ilog before transferring it to Himamaylan and finally to Bacolod in 1849. The province developed into a major center for sugarcane cultivation and trade during the colonial period.
The MassKara Festival in October fills the streets of Bacolod City with dancers wearing decorated masks, performing to Latin music and drum beats. The colorful costumes and choreography draw visitors from across the region and transform the city into a lively stage full of rhythm and movement.
Visitors can reach the province through Bacolod-Silay Airport, which operates daily flights connecting to Manila and other Philippine cities. Most accommodations and services are located in Bacolod, while surrounding areas can be accessed by buses and local vehicles.
The province generates over half of the Philippines' sugar production, with extensive plantations covering the fertile volcanic soil around Mount Kanlaon. The sugarcane fields shape the landscape and many of the larger towns are traditionally connected with the processing and export of sugar.
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