 |
| Davao City Hall |
Davao City is Mindanao’s premier city and the gateway to the region’s attractions. At 244,000 hectares, it is the world’s largest city in terms of land area; its boundaries encompass commercial areas as well as beaches, mountains, and forests. The city was developed during the early 1900s when Japanese migrants set up plantations along its shores, taking advantage of the rich volcanic soil. Nowadays, Davao is considered as one of Asia’s best cities; its been rated by some regional publications as one of the most livable cities in the region. It’s also blessed by a mild climate that’s rarely affected by typhoons.
Situated beside Davao Gulf, the city is dominated by the Philippines’ highest mountain, 2954-meter-high Mount Apo. The dormant volcano is home to tribes such as the Bagobo, Manobo. Mandya and B’laan, and its fertile, cool foothills are covered with plantations of exotic fruits like durian, marang and pomelos as well as numerous flower farms. The exceptional waling-waling orchid is grown here. Mount Apo is actually a national park area, and the sight of its bewildering array of flora, captivates many mountaineers ranging from impressive mahogany trees to strange lichen formations.
