Sulu is a province of the Philippines located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The province covers roughly 4,547.16 square kilometers and is composed of 19 municipalities, with a total of 410 barangays. The capital of the province is Jolo, which also serves as the provincial center. Sulu is known for the Bud Daho, a dormant volcanic mountain of historical significance, and the beautiful islands of the Sulu Archipelago, including Panglima Tahil and Lugus, as well as rich marine biodiversity that makes it a vital part of the country's cultural and natural heritage.

History

Sulu is one of the oldest provinces in the Philippines, with a rich history deeply connected to Islam and the maritime trade routes of Southeast Asia. Long before Spanish colonization, Sulu was the center of the Sultanate of Sulu, which was founded in 1457 by Sharif ul-Hashim, an Arab missionary who introduced Islam to the region. The Sultanate grew into a powerful political and economic entity, extending its influence over present-day Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Palawan, and even parts of Sabah in Malaysia. Through its strategic location in the Sulu Archipelago, the province became a hub for trade with China, Borneo, and other neighboring regions, while its people—known as the Tausug—developed a distinct culture rooted in Islam, seafaring, and warrior traditions. When the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century, they attempted to conquer Sulu but faced strong resistance from the Tausug warriors, who fiercely defended their sovereignty for centuries. Spain established garrisons in Jolo but never fully subdued the Sultanate. After the Spanish-American War in 1898, control of Sulu passed to the Americans, who eventually dismantled the political authority of the Sultanate, although the cultural and religious influence of the sultans remained. Sulu later became part of the independent Philippines in 1946. Today, while it faces challenges such as poverty and conflict, Sulu is still remembered as the seat of a once-powerful sultanate, and its cultural identity, Islamic heritage, and natural beauty continue to shape its significance in the Bangsamoro region and the entire country.