Bacolod (pop. 600,783) is the capital of the province of Negros Occidental, on Negros Island in the Philippines. The city is on the coastal plain in the northwestern part of the province.
Bacolod is a major commercial and trading center of the Western Visayas region. It provides a port of entry to the rice and sugar industry of Negros Island.
The city’s many historical landmarks include the San Sebastian Cathedral, which is Bacolod’s oldest building; the Bacolod City Park; and the Capitol Building Plaza Mart. The city is also renowned for its collections of antiques.
Bacolod’s development began in the 1800’s because of its convenient location as a trade center. Bacolod’s significant increase in population in the late 1900’s led to a number of housing and commercial developments and new educational centers.
