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Sulu

Sulu may refer to several related geographic and historical entities in the southwestern Philippines and surrounding waters. The Sulu Archipelago is a chain of islands extending from the southwestern tip of Mindanao toward Borneo, lying in the Sulu Sea and the Mindanao Sea. It is part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and includes several islands, with Jolo as the provincial capital. The region’s population is predominantly Tausug, along with Sama and Badjao communities, and languages include Tausug and other Austronesian languages. The archipelago is known for its long maritime traditions, coral reefs, and fishing-based livelihoods, with some agriculture on larger islands.

Separately, the Sulu Sea is the body of water to the west of Mindanao and to the

Historically, the area was home to the Sultanate of Sulu, a Muslim Malay state established in the

In modern times, Sulu Province and the surrounding archipelago are known for their strategic location and,

east
of
Borneo.
It
connects
to
the
Celebes
Sea
and
plays
a
role
in
regional
marine
commerce
and
biodiversity.
15th
century
that
controlled
parts
of
the
archipelago
and
portions
of
the
Philippine
coast,
at
times
extending
to
parts
of
modern
Sabah.
It
signed
early
treaties
with
European
powers
and
declined
under
later
colonial
rule.
in
some
periods,
security
concerns
related
to
insurgency
and
piracy.
The
region
remains
administratively
part
of
the
Philippines,
with
a
focus
on
development,
governance,
and
inter-island
connectivity.