Pamilacan

Pamilacan is an island in the Bohol Sea (also called Mindanao Sea), situated 12.5 kilometres (7.8 mi) south of Bohol island, Philippines. It is a barangay of the municipality of Baclayon. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 1,418,[1] comprising about 240 families whose main livelihoods now concentrate on dolphin- and whale-watching tours and subsistence fishing, but in the past also included whale, dolphin and manta ray hunting.

Not to be confused with Pamalican.
Pamilacan
Satellite image of Pamilacan Island
Pamilacan
Location within the Philippines
Geography
LocationBohol Sea
Coordinates9.492°N 123.923°E / 9.492; 123.923
Area1.75 km2 (0.68 sq mi)[lower-alpha 1]
Length1.6 km (0.99 mi)[lower-alpha 2]
Width1.25 km (0.777 mi)[lower-alpha 3]
Coastline4.50 km (2.796 mi)[lower-alpha 1]
Administration
RegionCentral Visayas
ProvinceBohol
MunicipalityBaclayon
Demographics
Population1,418 (2015 census)[1]
Pop. density810/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
  1. estimated from satellite photo  
  2. long side of right containing rectangle
  3. short side of right containing rectangle

Pamilacan perhaps means "resting place of the mantas", but it can also be considered to derive from the word pamilac, or harpoon, a device that was historically used to capture the mantas, dolphins and whales.[2]

To the northeast of the island is a 200‑year‑old Spanish fort, which in the past served as a watchtower for the Spaniards to look out for intruders, such as pirates and other enemies, particularly those coming from the south. The specific watchtower is a declared National Cultural Treasure.[2]

Aside from being famous for the whaleshark and dolphin-watching activities, the island is also known for its white sand beaches and renowned for its snorkelling and dive sites, such as Dakit-Dakit. Snake Island or Cervera Shoal is a sunken plateau about 18 metres (59 ft) deep, on the south of Pamilacan. It is covered with coral but lies in the middle of the ocean, which is why there usually is a very strong current. Here one can see black-white banded sea snakes, sea turtles, moray eels, nudibranchs and bucket sponges.[3]:93

References
  1. Census of Population (2015). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  2. "Pamilacan Island". Talibon, Bohol, Philippines: A1 Online Communication and Advertising Services. Retrieved 2012-09-10.
  3. Your guide to Bohol (6 ed.). PDP Digital. 2010. ISSN 1908-4749.
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