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Province

Sulu

Sulu is a province in the Zamboanga Peninsula region of Mindanao, Philippines. Its population was 1,146,097 in the 2024 census, and it has 19 municipalities.

  • Population: 2024 Census
  • Places: PSGC 2Q 2026
  • Checked by Scene: October 8, 2026
  • Page updated: October 8, 2026
A white mosque with a green dome and four slender minarets rising behind the roofs and stilt houses of a waterfront town, outrigger boats crowding the grey water in front, below a forested hill.
Jolo's waterfront and the Tulay Mosque.Photo: “Jolo town proper, Tulay Mosque bay view (Jolo, Sulu; 10-10-2023)” by Patrickroque01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; resized by Scene. Scene's copy is shared under the same licence.

  • PeopleSources

    1,146,097

    people counted in the 2024 censusCensusA count of every person in the country, all on one day. The 2024 census counted people as they were on 1 July 2024.More in the glossary

    Up 59.6% from 2010 to 2024

  • Rank by peopleSources

    1st

    of the 4 provinces of Zamboanga Peninsula by population, 2024Rank and shareWorked out by Scene from the PSA's counts: where a place stands among the places listed with it, and how many of every 100 of its parent's people live in it.More in the glossary

    About 23 of every 100 people in Zamboanga Peninsula lived in Sulu in 2024 (22.52%)

  • Inside itSources

    19

    cities and municipalities

    410 barangays

  • LandSources

    2,211.57 km²

    of land, 2019 masterlistLand areaThe land inside the place's official boundary. A square kilometre is a square 1 km on each side, about the size of 140 football fields.Explained by Scene: Sulu's land would fill a square about 47.0 km on each side. That is only a way to picture its size: its real shape is on the map.More in the glossary

    Average density, 2024: 518 people per km²Population densityHow crowded a place is on average: its people divided by its land area. 1,000 people per square kilometre is 10 people per hectare, a square of 100 by 100 metres.Explained by Scene: About 5 people per hectare if everyone were spread evenly across the land. In fact people live closer together in towns and farther apart in the countryside.More in the glossary

  • HomesSources

    190,255

    households in 2024HouseholdA person living alone, or people who sleep in the same home and share their meals. A family may be one household or several.More in the glossary

    6.0 people in each, on average, in 2024

  • Town or countrySources

    36.7%

    About 37 of every 100 people lived in urban barangays in 2024Urban barangayThe PSA counts a barangay as urban when it has 5,000 people or more, or a big employer, or several businesses and public services close by. Every barangay in Metro Manila is urban.More in the glossary

PSGC codePSGC codeThe code the Philippine Statistics Authority gives every place, so each one is known exactly, even when two share a name.More in the glossary
0906600000[4]Formerly 156600000

People

Sulu had 1,146,097 people in the 2024 census, up 59.6% from 2010.
People at each census since 1960

Counts from 2000 on are on today’s borders; earlier counts are as the place was then, so the line may step where a border moved.

Sulu had the most people of the 4 provinces of Zamboanga Peninsula in 2024[1]
  1. 1Sulu1,146,097
  2. 2Zamboanga del Norte1,067,067
  3. 3Zamboanga del Sur1,045,126
  4. 4Zamboanga Sibugay661,498
All 4 provinces of Zamboanga Peninsula
Of every 100 people in Sulu in 2024[1]
Age structure · 2024 Census[5]People living in households, by age and sex
  • About 36 of every 100 are children under 15 (36.2%)
  • About 61 of every 100 are of working age, 15 to 64 (61.3%)
  • About 3 of every 100 are 65 or older (2.5%)
MenWomen

The figures by age

People by age group, men and women
AgePeopleMenWomen
Under 5119,35257,56661,786
5 - 9146,14770,90775,240
10 - 14147,81171,70676,105
15 - 19134,85164,81770,034
20 - 24119,68456,71662,968
25 - 2996,27046,03850,232
30 - 3485,33341,41243,921
35 - 3965,71031,86933,841
40 - 4463,65531,51032,145
45 - 4948,91324,39524,518
50 - 5441,06521,29219,773
55 - 5924,46612,42312,043
60 - 6419,2569,6919,565
65 - 6910,9985,3395,659
70 - 749,2324,1965,036
75 - 794,2791,8002,479
80 - 842,3949591,435
85 and over1,6996001,099

Every figure, census by census

People, 2024 CensusCensusA count of every person in the country, all on one day. The 2024 census counted people as they were on 1 July 2024.More in the glossary
1,146,097[1, 2]
Households, 2024HouseholdA person living alone, or people who sleep in the same home and share their meals. A family may be one household or several.More in the glossary
190,255[1, 2]
People in each household, 2024
6.0 on average[1, 2]
Share of Zamboanga Peninsula, 2024Rank and shareWorked out by Scene from the PSA's counts: where a place stands among the places listed with it, and how many of every 100 of its parent's people live in it.More in the glossary
22.52%[1]
In urban barangays, 2024Urban barangayThe PSA counts a barangay as urban when it has 5,000 people or more, or a big employer, or several businesses and public services close by. Every barangay in Metro Manila is urban.More in the glossary
36.7% (420,500 people)[6]
Men and women, 2024
553,236 men, 587,879 women[5]People living in households
Population at each census, with its source
CensusPopulationGrowth since the census beforeHouseholdsPeople per household
2024as of July 1, 20241,146,097[1, 2]3.32% a year190,2556.0
2020as of May 1, 20201,000,108[1]4.14% a year——
2015as of August 1, 2015824,731[1]2.66% a year——
2010as of May 1, 2010718,290[1]———
2007as of August 1, 2007; as it was then849,670[39]4.45% a year——
2000as of May 1, 2000; on today’s borders619,668[39, 40]3.15% a year——
1995as of September 1, 1995; as it was then536,201[39]2.50% a year——
1990as of May 1, 1990; as it was then469,971[39]2.68% a year——
1980as of May 1, 1980; as it was then360,588[39]8.47% a year——
1975as of May 1, 1975; as it was then240,001[39]−5.33% a year——
1970as of May 6, 1970; as it was then315,421[39]2.37% a year——
1960as of February 15, 1960; as it was then248,304[39]———

Cities and municipalities

Sulu is made up of 19 municipalities, with 410 barangays in all.
Colour byColours the map of Sulu by the figure chosen; the key beside it says what each colour means.
Hadji Panglima Tahil: 8,441 people, 120 per km², 1.58% a yearIndanan: 105,384 people, 936 per km², 3.00% a yearJolo: 152,067 people, 6,711 per km², 2.49% a yearKalingalan Caluang: 42,845 people, 578 per km², 1.94% a yearLugus: 35,412 people, 91 per km², 4.87% a yearLuuk: 44,741 people, 588 per km², 4.08% a yearMaimbung: 85,681 people, 1,479 per km², 9.10% a yearOld Panamao: 53,903 people, 699 per km², 1.89% a yearOmar: 30,847 people, 270 per km², 2.29% a yearPandami: 35,369 people, 620 per km², 1.55% a yearPanglima Estino: 37,157 people, 868 per km², 1.97% a yearPangutaran: 41,575 people, 136 per km², 3.26% a yearParang: 83,092 people, 1,129 per km², 3.67% a yearPata: 27,974 people, 389 per km², 2.99% a yearPatikul: 92,600 people, 608 per km², 3.71% a yearSiasi: 100,076 people, 980 per km², 4.99% a yearTalipao: 107,901 people, 637 per km², 1.82% a yearTapul: 21,830 people, 243 per km², 1.17% a yearTongkil: 39,202 people, 255 per km², 2.33% a year

People · 2024 Census

  • Under 20,000
  • 20,000 to 31,000
  • 31,000 to 45,000
  • 45,000 to 76,000
  • 76,000 and over

The same steps colour every map of cities and municipalities in the Atlas, so a colour means the same range everywhere.

Density · people per km², 2024

  • Under 140
  • 140 to 250
  • 250 to 390
  • 390 to 750
  • 750 and over

The same steps colour every map of cities and municipalities in the Atlas, so a colour means the same range everywhere.

Growth a year · 2020–2024

  • Fell by more than 1% a year
  • Fell, by up to 1% a year
  • Grew, by under 1% a year
  • Grew by 1 to 2% a year
  • Grew by 2% a year or more

Each place's yearly change between the 2020 and 2024 censuses, on the same steps as every map in the Atlas.

Borders from UN OCHA (PSA and NAMRIA), a guide and not the legal boundary[3]Open in OpenStreetMap
Cities and municipalities of Sulu. Each column heading sorts the table.
[1, 7]Share (2024)
Hadji Panglima Tahil8,4410.74%1.58% a year70.14 km²
Indanan105,3849.2%3.00% a year112.62 km²
Jolo152,06713.27%2.49% a year22.66 km²
Kalingalan Caluang42,8453.74%1.94% a year74.08 km²
Lugus35,4123.09%4.87% a year387.42 km²
Luuk44,7413.9%4.08% a year76.14 km²
Maimbung85,6817.48%9.10% a year57.92 km²
Old Panamao53,9034.7%1.89% a year77.11 km²
Omar30,8472.69%2.29% a year114.07 km²
Pandami35,3693.09%1.55% a year57.07 km²
Panglima Estino37,1573.24%1.97% a year42.83 km²
Pangutaran41,5753.63%3.26% a year306.48 km²
Parang83,0927.25%3.67% a year73.63 km²
Pata27,9742.44%2.99% a year71.97 km²
Patikul92,6008.08%3.71% a year152.18 km²
Siasi100,0768.73%4.99% a year102.16 km²
Talipao107,9019.41%1.82% a year169.51 km²
Tapul21,8301.9%1.17% a year89.93 km²
Tongkil39,2023.42%2.33% a year153.65 km²

Land & Environment

Sulu covers 2,211.57 km² of land, 518 people for every km² in 2024. Its land rises to 806 m above the sea and it has 1,753.1 km of coast.
Land areaLand areaThe land inside the place's official boundary. A square kilometre is a square 1 km on each side, about the size of 140 football fields.More in the glossary
2,211.57 km²[7]As listed in the 2019 Masterlist of Land Areas (LMB, DENR)
Average density, 2024Population densityHow crowded a place is on average: its people divided by its land area. 1,000 people per square kilometre is 10 people per hectare, a square of 100 by 100 metres.More in the glossary
518 people per km²[7]
Coordinates
5.99645° N, 121.08703° E[3]The point inside its border farthest from every edge, so it always falls within the place.
Height above the sea[36]
Lowest
Sea level
Average
84 m
Highest
806 m

Heights from the Copernicus DEM, a 30 m model of the surface: it reads the tops of trees and roofs, not the bare ground, over the land inside the border, the sea left out. Produced using Copernicus WorldDEM-30 © DLR e.V. 2010-2014 and © Airbus Defence and Space GmbH 2014-2018 provided under COPERNICUS by the European Union and ESA; all rights reserved.

Water, coast and peaks

1,753.1 km of coastline[37]

Rivers[37]

  1. Sapah Maluwang5.2 km

Lakes[37]

  1. Panamao Lake0.71 km²
  2. Seit Lake0.61 km²
  3. Lake Timpuok0.33 km²

Peaks[37]

  1. Bud Tumantangisvolcano790 m
  2. Mount Sinumaan785 m
  3. Mount Tunggol657 m
  4. Bud Dajovolcano650 m
  5. Mount Bagsak590 m
  6. Bud Tukayvolcano580 m

The highest: 120 in all.

Named rivers, lakes and peaks as OpenStreetMap mapped them on 30 September 2026, and the coast within 150 m of the border. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, under the Open Database License.

Climate

Climate typeClimate typePAGASA sorts the country's climate into four types by when the rain falls. Type I has a dry season from November to April and a wet one for the rest of the year; Type II has no dry season, with the most rain from December to February; Type III has a short dry season; Type IV has rain spread through the year.More in the glossary

Type IV[38]

Rain spread fairly evenly through the year, with no dry season.

Covers about 86 of every 100 parts of its land. Read by Scene off PAGASA's climate map, so approximate: the type that covers most of the place's land.

Life & Economy

Sulu's economy made ₱70.8 billion of goods and services in 2025, ₱64,014 for each person. About 21 of every 100 people lived below the poverty line in 2023.
Economy, 2025Gross domestic productThe value of all the goods and services made in a place in a year: the size of its economy. The PSA measures it for every region, province and highly urbanized city. Counted at 2018 prices, it leaves out the rise in prices, so one year can be set beside another.More in the glossary
₱70.8 billion[23]Its gross domestic product at current prices; ₱48.3 billion at 2018 prices.
Growth, 2024–2025
2.8%[24]How much more it made than the year before, at 2018 prices.
For each person, 2025
₱64,014[25]Its economy divided by its projected population, at current prices, as the PSA works it out.
Poverty, 2023Poverty incidenceHow many of every 100 people live in families whose income is below the poverty line: what a person needs in a year for food and other basic needs, as the PSA sets it for each province. It is an estimate, from a survey or, for a town, a statistical model, so the PSA gives a range it is likely to fall in.More in the glossary
20.7% of people[26]Below the poverty line, by the PSA's survey.
Income classIncome classThe Department of Finance sorts provinces, cities and municipalities into classes by their average yearly income over recent years: 1st class has the most. It measures the local government's income, not how well off its people are.More in the glossary
1st class[4]
About 21 of every 100 people in Sulu lived below the poverty line in 2023 (20.7%)[26]

The PSA's survey puts it between 16.3% and 25.2%, with 95% confidence. The poverty line was ₱30,407 a person for the year.

The PSA notes: Those with CVs higher than 10% in 2023 poverty incidence among population should be used with caution.

Public places

  • 37government offices
  • 9hospitals and health centres
  • 114schools
  • 25places of worship
  • 2markets
  • 6stations and terminals
  • 4parks
  • 4monuments and memorials

Counted from OpenStreetMap[3, 8]. Each town's page lists its own; this page lists the stations, parks, beaches and monuments.

As OpenStreetMap maps them on September 30, 2026. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, under the Open Database License.

Government & Leaders

A governor leads Sulu. Its local laws, called ordinances, are passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (the provincial board), led by the vice governor. The governor, the vice governor and the board's elected members serve three-year terms, and none may serve more than three in a row.[20, 21]

Capital
Jolo[4]

2 legislative districtsLegislative districtThe area that elects one member of the House of Representatives. A big province or city may have several.More in the glossary[22]

Each district elects one member of the House of Representatives. These are the districts as the laws drew them for the 2025 elections.

1st district

2nd district

Leaders

The governor and vice governor elected at each election since 2001, as COMELEC's lists of the elected name them, and those in office now, as the DILG's directory lists them.

  1. 2025–2028In office as of February 2026

    Governor
    Abdusakur Abubakar Tan II[27]
    Vice governor
    Abdusakur Mahail Tan[27]

  2. 2022–2025

    Governor
    Abdusakur Mahail Tan[28]
    Vice governor
    Adbusakur Abubakar Tan II[28]

  3. 2019–2022

    Governor
    Abdusakur Mahail Tan[29]
    Vice governor
    Abdusakur Abubakar Tan II[29]

  4. 2016–2019

    Governor
    Abdusakur Abubakar Tan II[30]
    Vice governor
    Nurunisah Abubakar Tan[30]

  5. 2013–2016

    Governor
    Abdusakur Abubakar Tan II[31]
    Vice governor
    Abdusakur Mahail Tan[31]

  6. 2010–2013

    Governor
    Abdusakur Mahail Tan[32]
    Vice governor
    Benjamin Tupay Loong[32]

  7. 2007–2010

    Governor
    Abdusakur Mahail Tan[33]
    Vice governor
    Nur-Ana Indanan Sahidulla[33]

  8. 2004–2007

    Governor
    Benjamin Tupay Loong[34]
    Vice governor
    Nur-Ana Indanan Sahidalla[34]

  9. 2001–2004

    Governor
    Yusop H. Jikiri[35]
    Vice governor
    Abdel S. Anni[35]
Governors and vice governors of Sulu, by term
TermGovernorVice governor
2025–2028In office as of February 2026Abdusakur Abubakar Tan II[27]Abdusakur Mahail Tan[27]
2022–2025Abdusakur Mahail Tan[28]Adbusakur Abubakar Tan II[28]
2019–2022Abdusakur Mahail Tan[29]Abdusakur Abubakar Tan II[29]
2016–2019Abdusakur Abubakar Tan II[30]Nurunisah Abubakar Tan[30]
2013–2016Abdusakur Abubakar Tan II[31]Abdusakur Mahail Tan[31]
2010–2013Abdusakur Mahail Tan[32]Benjamin Tupay Loong[32]
2007–2010Abdusakur Mahail Tan[33]Nur-Ana Indanan Sahidulla[33]
2004–2007Benjamin Tupay Loong[34]Nur-Ana Indanan Sahidalla[34]
2001–2004Yusop H. Jikiri[35]Abdel S. Anni[35]

History & Identity

Created
A district of the Moro Province from 1903 under Act No. 787; made a civil province by Act No. 2408, enacted 23 July 1914[9, 10]

How it got its name

Local traditionThe province's 2008 account derives Sulu from sulug or sug, ocean current in Tausug; Jolo, the name of its capital, is the Spanish form of Sulu.[11]

Sources differThe name of its people, Tausug, is read two ways: as people of the current, from tau, person, and sug, current; or as people of Suug, the old name of Jolo Island.[11, 12]

Its story

Its recorded history begins with Islam. The missionary Makdum arrived in 1380 and built a mosque at Tubig-Indangan; Raja Baguinda landed at Buansa in 1390; and the Arab scholar Abu Bakr, who came in 1450 and married Baguinda's daughter, became the first sultan of Sulu.[11, 13]

A Spanish expedition in 1578 began three centuries of war. Governor-General Hurtado de Corcuera occupied Jolo in 1638, but Spain made Sulu a protectorate only in 1876, when Governor-General Malcampo destroyed the fort of Jolo and set up a garrison there.[11]

American troops relieved the Spanish garrison at Jolo on 19 May 1899, and on 20 August 1899 Sultan Jamalul Kiram II signed the Bates Agreement, which accepted American sovereignty. In the Carpenter Agreement of March 1915 the sultan gave up his temporal powers.[12, 13, 14]

Sulu was one of the five districts of the Moro Province from 1903 and a province of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu from 1914; the department was abolished in 1920. In 1973 the Tawi-Tawi islands were made a province of their own.[9, 10, 15, 16]

In the plebiscite of 21 January 2019 Sulu voted against the Bangsamoro Organic Law, 163,526 to 137,630, yet was counted in the new region. On 9 September 2024 the Supreme Court ruled that Sulu is not part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, and on 26 November 2024 it made that ruling final.[17, 18, 19]

Timeline

  1. 1380

    The missionary Makdum brings Islam to Sulu.[11]

  2. 1450

    The Muslim Arabian scholar Abu Bakr arrives; he later becomes sultan, introducing the sultanate.[11]

  3. 1578

    A Spanish expedition opens three centuries of war.[11]

  4. 1876

    Spain destroys the fort of Jolo, garrisons it and makes Sulu a protectorate.[11]

  5. 20 August 1899

    Sultan Jamalul Kiram II signs the Bates Agreement.[13, 14]

  6. 1 June 1903

    Act No. 787 makes Sulu a district of the Moro Province.[9]

  7. 23 July 1914

    Act No. 2408 sets up the civil Province of Sulu.[10]

  8. March 1915

    In the Carpenter Agreement the sultan gives up his temporal powers.[12, 13]

  9. 27 September 1973

    Presidential Decree No. 302 makes the Tawi-Tawi islands a separate province.[16]

  10. 21 January 2019

    Sulu votes against the Bangsamoro Organic Law.[17]

  11. 9 September 2024

    The Supreme Court rules that Sulu is not part of the Bangsamoro region.[17, 19]

  12. 26 November 2024

    The Court denies reconsideration and makes its ruling final.[18]

Changes since 1977

As the Philippine Statistics Authority recorded them in its list of places.

  1. July 2025

    Moved from Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), by EO 91.[41]

Nearby

Sulu shares no land border with another province. Nearest across the water are Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte.

How it compares

Sulu beside Zamboanga Peninsula, and where it stands among the provinces of Zamboanga Peninsula.

Sulu beside Zamboanga Peninsula
FigureSuluZamboanga PeninsulaRank among the provinces of Zamboanga Peninsula
People, 2024CensusA count of every person in the country, all on one day. The 2024 census counted people as they were on 1 July 2024.More in the glossary1,146,097[1, 2]5,089,9341st of 4
Growth a year, 2020–2024Growth a yearHow fast the number of people changed each year between two censuses. 1% a year means about 1 more person for every 100 people, each year.More in the glossary3.32% a year[1, 2]faster1.04% a year1st of 4
People per km², 2024Population densityHow crowded a place is on average: its people divided by its land area. 1,000 people per square kilometre is 10 people per hectare, a square of 100 by 100 metres.More in the glossary518[7]more crowded2781st of 4
Land areaLand areaThe land inside the place's official boundary. A square kilometre is a square 1 km on each side, about the size of 140 football fields.More in the glossary2,211.57 km²[7]18,291.44 km²4th of 4
People in each household, 2024HouseholdA person living alone, or people who sleep in the same home and share their meals. A family may be one household or several.More in the glossary6.0[1, 2]higher4.2not ranked
In urban barangays, 2024Urban barangayThe PSA counts a barangay as urban when it has 5,000 people or more, or a big employer, or several businesses and public services close by. Every barangay in Metro Manila is urban.More in the glossary36.7%[6]lower40.3%not ranked

The nearest provinces across the water[3]

  1. BasilanBangsamoro (BARMM)11.5 km northeast
  2. Tawi-TawiBangsamoro (BARMM)14.0 km southwest
  3. Zamboanga del SurZamboanga Peninsula72.3 km northeast
  4. Zamboanga del NorteZamboanga Peninsula99.7 km northeast

Measured between the two borders where they come closest, on the Earth's surface, across the water. Not a boat or ferry route.

Sources

Page updated October 8, 2026. Sources checked by Scene October 8, 2026.
  1. 1.Philippine Statistics Authority. Population and Annual Population Growth Rate of the Philippines and its Regions, Provinces, and Highly Urbanized Cities Based on the 2010, 2015, 2020 and 2024 Population Census (OpenSTAT table 0211A6DAPG0). Published August 7, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  2. 2.Philippine Statistics Authority. Total Population, Household Population, and Number of Households by Province, City, Municipality, and Barangay as of 01 July 2024: Zamboanga Peninsula (OpenSTAT table 0091A6DTPH8). Published August 5, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  3. 3.UN OCHA, from the PSA and NAMRIA. Philippines: Subnational Administrative Boundaries (COD-AB), barangay layer. Published February 13, 2025. Read by Scene September 25, 2026. CC BY-IGO 3.0. Open the source
  4. 4.Philippine Statistics Authority. Philippine Standard Geographic Code (PSGC), 2nd Quarter 2026: Publication Datafile. Published June 30, 2026. Read by Scene September 24, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  5. 5.Philippine Statistics Authority. Household Population by Age-Group Region, Province, and Highly Urbanized City: Philippines, 2024 Census of Population (OpenSTAT table 0201A6DPAG0). Published August 7, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  6. 6.Philippine Statistics Authority. Total Population and Urban Population by Urban Classification and Region, Province, Highly Urbanized City, City/Municipality and Barangay: Philippines, 2024 (OpenSTAT table 0231A6DPUP0). Published August 7, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  7. 7.Philippine Statistics Authority, from the Land Management Bureau (DENR). Population, Land Area, Population Density, and Percent Change in Population Density by Region, Province/Highly Urbanized City, and City/Municipality: 2015, 2020, and 2024 (OpenSTAT table 0221A6DLPD0). Published August 7, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  8. 8.OpenStreetMap contributors. Named public places in OpenStreetMap: schools, hospitals and health centres, places of worship, government offices, markets, stations, parks, beaches and monuments, from Geofabrik's extract of the Philippines. Published September 30, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. ODbL 1.0. Open the source
  9. 9.Philippine Commission. Act No. 787: An Act Providing for the Organization and Government of the Moro Province. Published June 1, 1903. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  10. 10.Philippine Commission. Act No. 2408: An Act Providing a Temporary Form of Government for the Territory Known as the Department of Mindanao and Sulu, Making Applicable thereto, with Certain Exceptions, the Provisions of General Laws Now in Force in the Philippine Islands, and for Other Purposes. Published July 23, 1914. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  11. 11.Provincial Government of Sulu (article by Faye Velasco). History: Tausugs (2008 site, as archived by the Internet Archive on 12 December 2008). Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  12. 12.Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (Bureau on Cultural Heritage, BARMM). Sulu (as archived by the Internet Archive on 3 June 2023). Published July 19, 2019. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  13. 13.Provincial Government of Sulu. History: Historical Background (2008 site, as archived by the Internet Archive on 12 December 2008). Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  14. 14.United States Bureau of Insular Affairs, War Department (Government Printing Office, Washington). A Pronouncing Gazetteer and Geographical Dictionary of the Philippine Islands. Published 1902. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Public domain (a United States government work, published 1902), read in the Internet Archive's scan and its text. Open the source
  15. 15.Philippine Legislature. Act No. 2878: An Act Abolishing the Government of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu as a Special Political Division; Making the Necessary Provisions for the Administrative Adjustments Resulting therefrom, and for Other Purposes. Published February 5, 1920. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  16. 16.Office of the President of the Philippines (Ferdinand E. Marcos). Presidential Decree No. 302: Creating the Province of Tawi-Tawi. Published September 27, 1973. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  17. 17.Supreme Court of the Philippines (text from the Supreme Court E-Library). G.R. No. 242255, Province of Sulu v. Medialdea and others: decision of the Court en banc on the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Published September 9, 2024. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  18. 18.Supreme Court of the Philippines (text from the Supreme Court E-Library). G.R. No. 242255, Province of Sulu v. Medialdea and others: resolution of the Court en banc on the motions for partial reconsideration. Published November 26, 2024. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  19. 19.Supreme Court of the Philippines. SC Upholds Validity of Bangsamoro Organic Law; Declares Sulu not Part of Bangsamoro Region. Published September 9, 2024. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  20. 20.Congress of the Philippines. Republic Act No. 7160: the Local Government Code of 1991. Published October 10, 1991. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  21. 21.1986 Constitutional Commission. The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. Published February 2, 1987. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  22. 22.1986 Constitutional Commission (text from the Chan Robles Virtual Law Library). Ordinance appended to the 1987 Constitution, apportioning the seats of the House of Representatives. Published February 2, 1987. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Philippine government work, no copyright (Republic Act No. 8293, Section 176.1). Open the source
  23. 23.Philippine Statistics Authority. Gross Domestic Product by Province and HUC (OpenSTAT table 0012A5FPPA0). Published August 28, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  24. 24.Philippine Statistics Authority. Gross Domestic Product by Province and HUC, Growth Rates (OpenSTAT table 0032A5FPPA2). Published August 28, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  25. 25.Philippine Statistics Authority. Per Capita Gross Domestic Product by Province and HUC (OpenSTAT table 0092A5FPPA8). Published August 28, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  26. 26.Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Table 2a. Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold and Poverty Incidence Among Population with Measures of Precision, by Region, Province and Highly Urbanized Cities: 2018, 2021, and 2023 (OpenSTAT table 0041F3DF02A). Published August 15, 2024. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  27. 27.Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). Directory of LGU Elective Officials for Term 2025-2028 as of February 2026 (its sheet: Consolidated List of Officials for Election Terms (2025-2028)), released through the FOI portal. Published February 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. A work of the Government of the Philippines: RA 8293, Section 176 (no copyright subsists in it; exploiting it for profit needs the agency's prior approval). Open the source
  28. 28.Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Records and Statistics Division, ERSD. List of Elected Provincial Candidates, May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections. Published December 23, 2025. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Public domain: comelec.gov.ph says "All content is in the public domain unless otherwise stated." Each list carries COMELEC's data privacy notice (RA 10173).. Open the source
  29. 29.Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Records and Statistics Division, ERSD. List of Elected Provincial Candidates, May 13, 2019 National and Local Elections. Published December 23, 2025. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Public domain: comelec.gov.ph says "All content is in the public domain unless otherwise stated." Each list carries COMELEC's data privacy notice (RA 10173).. Open the source
  30. 30.Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Records and Statistics Division, ERSD. List of Elected Provincial Candidates, May 9, 2016 National and Local Elections. Published January 12, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Public domain: comelec.gov.ph says "All content is in the public domain unless otherwise stated." Each list carries COMELEC's data privacy notice (RA 10173).. Open the source
  31. 31.Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Records and Statistics Division, ERSD. List of Elected Provincial Candidates, May 13, 2013 National and Local Elections. Published January 12, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Public domain: comelec.gov.ph says "All content is in the public domain unless otherwise stated." Each list carries COMELEC's data privacy notice (RA 10173).. Open the source
  32. 32.Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Records and Statistics Division, ERSD. List of Elected Provincial Candidates, May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections. Published January 10, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Public domain: comelec.gov.ph says "All content is in the public domain unless otherwise stated." Each list carries COMELEC's data privacy notice (RA 10173).. Open the source
  33. 33.Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Records and Statistics Division, ERSD. List of Elected Provincial Candidates, May 14, 2007 National and Local Elections. Published January 14, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Public domain: comelec.gov.ph says "All content is in the public domain unless otherwise stated." Each list carries COMELEC's data privacy notice (RA 10173).. Open the source
  34. 34.Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Records and Statistics Division, ERSD. List of Elected Provincial Candidates, May 10, 2004 National and Local Elections. Published January 8, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Public domain: comelec.gov.ph says "All content is in the public domain unless otherwise stated." Each list carries COMELEC's data privacy notice (RA 10173).. Open the source
  35. 35.Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Records and Statistics Division, ERSD. List of Elected Provincial Candidates, May 14, 2001 National and Local Elections (its pages are headed "LIST OF ELECTED MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES"). Published January 8, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Public domain: comelec.gov.ph says "All content is in the public domain unless otherwise stated." Each list carries COMELEC's data privacy notice (RA 10173).. Open the source
  36. 36.European Union and the European Space Agency (Copernicus), from DLR and Airbus Defence and Space (WorldDEM). Copernicus DEM GLO-30: global digital surface model at 30 m, one-degree tiles (2021 release). Published 2021. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. Copernicus DEM GLO-30 licence: free, any use including commercial, with the Copernicus notice. Open the source
  37. 37.OpenStreetMap contributors, extract by Geofabrik. Named rivers, lakes, reservoirs, peaks and the coastline of the Philippines in OpenStreetMap (Geofabrik extract, cut by osmium). Published September 30, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. ODbL 1.0. Open the source
  38. 38.Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Climatology and Agrometeorology Division. Climate Map of the Philippines (1951-2010), Modified Coronas Climate Classification. Published August 2014. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. A work of the Government of the Philippines: no copyright (RA 8293 s.176.1); PAGASA's approval is needed to use it for profit. Open the source
  39. 39.Philippine Statistics Authority. 2015 Census of Population, Statistical Tables, Table 1: Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by City/Municipality, 1960-2015 (one workbook for each province, highly urbanized city and region). Published 2017. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  40. 40.Philippine Statistics Authority. 2020 Census of Population and Housing: Table A (Population and Annual Growth Rate for the Philippines and its Regions, Provinces and Highly Urbanized Cities) and Table B (Population and Annual Growth Rates by Province, City and Municipality, by Region). Published July 2021. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source
  41. 41.Philippine Statistics Authority. Philippine Standard Geographic Code (PSGC), 2nd Quarter 2026: Summary of Changes, every change to a place since 1977. Published June 30, 2026. Read by Scene October 2, 2026. CC BY (PSA Terms of Use). Open the source

Scene adds what the sources do not print themselves: growth rates, shares, barangay areas and densities, coordinates, neighbours and distances, each computed from the figures and borders above. How each is made.

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Cite this page

Scene.ph. “Sulu.” Scene Atlas. Updated October 8, 2026. https://scene.ph/atlas/sulu