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The largest cities or towns of the Sulu Archipelago are on Maimbung and Jolo. All of the Sulu Archipelago, plus the larger island of Palawan to its northt, the coastal regions of the westward-extending Zamboanga Peninsula of Mindanao, and the northern part of the island of Borneo were formerly parts of the thalassocratic Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo. The Sulu Archipelago is the home of the indigenous Tausug people; various group of Samal (or Sama) people including the semi-nomadic Badjaw; the land-based Sama; the related Yakan people; and the Jama Mapun people. The Tausug language is spoken widely in the Sulu Archipelago as both first and second languages throughout these islands. The Yakan language is spoken mainly in Basilan Island. Numerous dialects of Sinama are spoken throughout the archipelago, from the Tawi-Tawi Island group, to the Mapun island group (Mapun), to the coast of Mindanao and beyond. The Sulu Archipelago is one of two partial land bridges between Borneo and and the Philippines, and along it is an important migration route for birds. Excavations in the area of "Bolobok Cave" on Sanga-Sanga Island, Tawi-Tawi Province, have shown the remains of humans dwelling there about 4,000 years ago. Thus far, this is the earliest evidence of human beings residing in the Philippines. |
