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Carmen
Lungsod sa Carmen
—  Municipality  —
Map of Bohol showing the location of Carmen
Carmen, Bohol is located in Philippines
Carmen
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 09°49′N 124°12′E / 9.817°N 124.200°E / 9.817; 124.200Coordinates: 09°49′N 124°12′E / 9.817°N 124.200°E / 9.817; 124.200
Country PhilippinesPhilippines
Region Central Visayas (Region VII)
Province BoholBohol
District 3rd
Incorporated (town) March 1, 1869, by the final order from Governor General Jose de la Gandara
Barangays 29
Government[1]
 • Type Strong Mayor-Council
 • Mayor Conchita delos Reyes
Area[1]
 • Land 248.04 km2 (95.77 sq mi)
Population (2010)[2]
 • Total 43,579
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
Postal Code 6319
Area code(s) 38
Website www.carmen-bohol.gov.ph

Carmen is a second class municipality located in the heart of the province of Bohol, Philippines. It is composed of 29 barangays with an area of 248.04 square kilometres (95.77 sq mi). It was founded in 1869. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 43,579 people.

The Chocolate Hills is the main tourist attraction of this town with 1,776 hills. Aside from the world-famous Chocolate Hills, there are forests, caves and waterfalls to discover.

Contents

[edit] History

Carmen was originally part of the Municipality of Bilar and called Imbaya, after the name of a stream in the settlement. During the Spanish time, it was inhabited by not more than fifty families. In 1868, the people of Carmen petitioned for its independence since its population grew to an unprecedented number. The town of Carmen was founded on March 1, 1869 by the final order from Governor General Jose de la Gandara and renamed at the same time in honor of the Lady of Carmel of Spain. In 1874, the town of Carmen had its separate parish with Father Pedro Nolasco San Juan as the first parish priest.

Being influenced by Spanish culture and tradition, all barangays of Carmen have a patron saint as well as a Spanish name that celebrate an annual barangay fiesta. During the early 1900s, the people of Carmen revolted against the Spaniards and had their first taste of liberty. However, only short after, the Americans came and claimed the municipality's freedom once again.

In World War II, Carmen served as the stronghold of the Guerrilla Resistance Movement and the local civil government because of its strategic location. Even at present, the municipality still serves the same purpose of being the provincial center of dynamic activities.

[edit] Political subdivisions

Carmen is politically subdivided into 29 barangays.

  • Alegria
  • Bicao
  • Buenavista
  • Buenos Aires
  • Calatrava
  • El Progreso
  • El Salvador
  • Guadalupe
  • Katipunan
  • La Libertad
  • La Paz
  • La Salvacion
  • La Victoria
  • Matin-ao
  • Montehermoso
  • Montesuerte
  • Montesunting
  • Montevideo
  • Nueva Fuerza
  • Nueva Vida Este
  • Nueva Vida Sur
  • Nueva Vida Norte
  • Poblacion Norte
  • Poblacion Sur
  • Tambo-an
  • Vallehermoso
  • Villaflor
  • Villafuerte
  • Villarcayo

[edit] Demographics

Population trend:[2][3]

  • Population in 2010: 43,579
  • Population in 2007: 43,153
  • Population in 2000: 40,713
  • Population in 1995: 36,797
  • Population in 1990: 34,573

[edit] The Chocolate Hills

Chocolate Hills in Carmen, Bohol

The Chocolate Hills is considered one of the natural Wonders of the World, composed of 1,776 cone-shaped hills. The origin of its name comes from the fact that the hills turns brown in the hot summer days that they look like Hersheys Chocolate Kisses.

The Chocolate Hills Complex is the main destination for best viewing of the Chocolate Hills. It located in Barangay Buenos Aires, Carmen, Bohol. The complex is composed of two chocolate hills developed years and years ago and has been transformed into a complex complete with a cemented road going up, restaurant, conference room, swimming pool, activity area with water fountain, 200+ steps with covered deck rest stops along the way and metal railing to aide your climb way up to the 360-degree Observation Deck, Virgin Mary Grotto, beautiful and tall pine trees to shade the steps. The Chocolate Hills Complex also developed new building structures with different accommodations to cater to visitors that wish to stay overnight in the middle of the Chocolate Hills.

[edit] The origin and myths

Carmen, Bohol

There are several myths and beliefs that has been spreading around as to how the Chocolate Hills came into existence. One myth is that of two giants fighting, throwing dirt balls against each other, that is why the chocolate hills are uniformly shaped that transformed into cone-shape hills after several rains. Another myth is that of a giant sobbing tears into the ground creating the hills formation. The accepted scientific explanation is that the Chocolate Hills where formed from the seabed and coral reefs which gradually rose up and were drained. Rain then washed away the softer areas creating the hills which are mainly composed of limestone.

[edit] References

[edit] Online resource

[edit] External links

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