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Most residents are of
Austronesian heritage, although there are a very small pockets
of populations with full or traces of European blood. Residents
of Negros are called "Negrense". Negros Occidental is
predominantly a Hiligaynon-speaking province. However, on the
east coast of the province, facing Cebu Island, a few cities and
towns are Cebuano-speaking. Known as the "The Sugarbowl of
the Philippines".The sugar industry is the lifeblood of the
economy of Negros Occidental, producing more than half of the
country's sugar. There are 15 sugar centrals located throughout
the plains of the province. Victorias Mill in Victorias City is
the largest sugar mill in the country, and the world's largest
integrated sugar mill and refinery. Negros Occidental is
subdivided into 19 municipalities and 13 cities. Negros
Occidental has the most chartered cities among all the provinces
in the Philippines, though many of the cities merely resemble
medium-sized towns. |
