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ZAMBOANGA CITY , on the southernmost tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula, 700km south of Manila, makes an interesting day-stop on your way to the Sulu archipelago. It's closer to both Malaysia and Indonesia than it is to the capital of the Philippines, a fact that has contributed to its cosmopolitan makeup. More than seventy percent of the population is Catholic and the other thirty percent Muslim. But the Muslim inhabitants are further divided into tribal groups, the most conspicuous of which are the Tausugs of Sulu, the Yakans of Basilan, the Badjaos of the sea, the Samals of Tawi-Tawi, and the Subanons of Zamboanga Peninsula. In addition to the city itself, which sprawls over 1600 square kilometres, the principality of Zamboanga also includes 28 offshore islands. The most popular island for trips is Santa Cruz Island, with its eye-catching pink sand. You can reach it in 25 minutes by ferry from the wharf at the Lantaka Hotel. Fort Pilar, an old Spanish fort on the waterfront, south of the city, was built in 1635 and has walls made of coral. There are marvellous views of the coast and across to Rio Hondo, a Muslim village on stilts. The village of Taluksangay , 19km east of Zamboanga City, is home to the Samal tribe, who live in huts on stilts. Jeepneys for Taluksagay leave from Zamboanga market. Yakan Village , 7km from the city, is where the Basilans live. Families here weave traditional cloth and sell it to visitors. Buses for Yakan leave Zamboanga from Governor Lim Avenue. All these villages have lovely mosques. The one in Taluksangay, built in 1885, is the oldest in the city.
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