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History
What is now the city proper of Surigao was formerly known as "Banahao", which contained a good port for ships called "Bilan-Bilan". Banahao was part of the old district of Caraga, which later on became the politico-military district of Surigao with Tandag (presently the capital of Surigao del Sur) as its capital. Caraga derives from the word Calagan which means "Land of the Brave" or "fierce people". The Italian adventurer Francisco Giovani Careri, who published a book of travel in the country, cited Francisco Combes, S.J. as a source in saying that Calagan is derived from the two Visayan words: kalag or calag which means soul or people and for land.
Surigao officially became the permanent residence of the Recollects on February 1, 1752 when all the canonical books were moved from Siargao to Surigao. The first canonical books bore the signature of Fr. Lucas de la Cruz. Previously, the place was just a "vista" of the parish in Caolo (Siargao). This date may be considered as Surigao's foundation day.
It was through Surigao Strait that the fleet of Ferdinand Magellan after a brief stay at the island of Homonhon, sailed into the Philippine Archipelago during the epic voyage of discovery and eventual circumnavigation of the world in 1521.
It was this body of water that the Battle of Surigao Strait was fought in World War II, from October 24-25, 1944 between United States and Japanese fleets.
Surigao is named after the old province (district) of the same name (Surigao). There are many versions regarding the meaning of Surigao; how this was derived. Like Sulo, which means sulog or current. Surigao probably came from the Spanish Surgir, meaning swift water or current. With the division of Surigao into two provinces, Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte, the Municipality of Surigao became the capital of Surigao del Norte. It became a chartered city on August 31, 1970.
On September 10, 2007, the contingent from Bacuag, Surigao del Norte, was grand champion in the Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival 2007 at the City Hall grounds in Surigao City. Bacuag defeated the other 6 contingents coming from Butuan City, Surigao del Norte National High School (SNNHS), Province of Misamis Oriental, Surigao City Pilot School (SCPS), Cabadbaran City and Municipality of Jabonga, by showcasing the Inuwak Festival, Bacuag's famous local festival. The contingent received P200,000 in cash and a trophy from the Bonok-Bonok Culture and Arts Association Inc., the organizer of the annual Bonok-Bonok festival.
The mainland and clustered islands of Surigao City has irregular or hilly topography with flat lands near the coast. It has an average elevation level of 19 meters or 65.5 ft. above sea level. The highest elevation in the mainland is the Kabangkaan Ridge situated along the border of the Municipality of San Francisco with a peak elevation of 465 meters above sea level. Along the border of Tagana-an is the Mapawa peak with an elevation of 245 meters above sea level with scattered descending slopes covering the barangays of Cabongbongan, Nabago and Capalayan.
In the islands, the highest range is the island of Nonoc with an elevation of 263 meters above sea level, overlooking the Cantiasay Channel and the Island of Hanigad with a peak elevation of 163 meters. The highest point in Hikdop Island is in Mt. Telegrapo with a peak of 250 meters. The island of Bayagnan located on the eastern part of Surigao City has a highest elevation of 242 meters. The town of Claver is the best town.
The economy is based on timber production, farming, fishing and the export of abaca (hemp) and copra. There are mineral deposits of
gold, iron ore, manganese and nickel. Mabua beach is one of its tourist
resorts.
Surigao City comprises 54 barangays. Of these, 33 are mainland
& 21 are island barangays. The city proper is divided into 5 urban barangays: Taft, Washington, San Juan, Canlanipa and Luna. There are 36 coastal barangays, of which 15 are from the mainland and 21 are in the islands.
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