SULU

province, northern Sulu Archipelago, Philippines. Located between the Sulu Sea to the northwest and the Celebes Sea to the southeast, the province stretches southwestward from Basilan Island south of the tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula toward the Tawitawi island group and Borneo; it consists of approximately 3,000 scattered and somewhat isolated islands and islets. Sulu province contains four of the archipelago's seven main island groups, including Jolo, Samales, Tapul, and Pangutaran; the others, to the southwest and west, were split off as Tawitawi province in 1973. The islands of Sulu vary in shape and size and have a total land area of 1,670 sq mi (2,688 sq km). Jolo island is the largest in the province, and Jolo town is the provincial capital. Lying far outside the typhoon belt, the province has a climate particularly suitable for growing a wide variety of crops. Rice, corn (maize), coconuts, bananas, and abaca (Manila hemp) are the principal crops. Abaca and coconuts are exported to Zamboanga; tropical fruits are cultivated for home consumption. The economy is primarily dependent upon agriculture and marine resources. The only large-scale industry in the province is deepsea fishing. Jolo and Siasi are the primary ports, and the Sulu Sea the principal fishing grounds. Pearl fishing was important, and shells and black coral abound in the waters of the province. Agriculture and related industriessuch as rice milling; processing of copra, abaca, and fish; and preliminary processing of shell productsare sources of income. Cottage industries are highly developed and include boatbuilding, tool and weapon making, textile weaving, and the design of utensils and decorative goods in brass, bronze, gold, and silver combined with shell and coral. Mining and forestry in Sulu province are potential industries that have not been developed. Transportation relies on several national seaports and airports; roads are few, constructed of macadam, and of poor quality. The archipelago is inhabited principally by Samal-speaking Muslims. Pop. (1980) 360,588.