Jolo

Jolo is a city and the capital of Sulu Province in the Philippines. It is located on Jolo Island, the principal island of the Sulu Archipelago in the southwestern Philippines, off the coast of Mindanao. As the provincial administrative center, Jolo hosts government offices, markets, and transportation links that serve the island and nearby areas. It is part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Geography and people: Jolo sits on the coast of the Sulu Sea and experiences a tropical climate with a pronounced dry and wet season. The city is ethnically diverse, with the Tausug forming the largest group, along with Sama, Yakan, and others. The primary languages are Tausug and Filipino, and Islam is the dominant religion.

History: Historically, Jolo was the seat of the Sultanate of Sulu, a Muslim maritime state that controlled much of the Sulu archipelago and parts of Mindanao. The area came under Spanish and later American sovereignty in the broader Moro conflicts of the 19th and 20th centuries. In recent decades, Jolo has experienced security challenges related to insurgent and terrorist activity in the region, including deadly bombings in January 2019 at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral and nearby sites.

Economy and infrastructure: The city’s economy centers on fishing, agriculture, and trade, with a port that connects Jolo to other islands and to Zamboanga. Local markets, schools, and mosques serve residents and visitors. Jolo also functions as a cultural hub for Tausug traditions, crafts, and religious observances.