There is so much yet to be learned and told about the famous Chocolate Hills of Bohol. Many who have laid eyes upon this natural wonder cannot help but be awestruck by their sheer magnitude and symmetrical placement. The Chocolate Hills is an unusual geological formation located in the Bohol province of the Philippines. It is composed of around 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills of about the same size, spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers (20 sq mi). Scholars and researchers are not certain how these hills were formed. This is because of the lack of scientific equipment. The most commonly accepted theory is that they are the weathered formations of a kind of marine limestone on top of an impermeable layer of clay. A great idea about the Chocolate Hills has made a joke, “If the hills were not made of chocolate, I would be quite disappointed.”
The Chocolate Hills, whose odd mounds consist of 1,268 or more individual mounds, are spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers. They are located in the towns of Carmen and Sagbayan in Bohol. Each individual mound ranges from 30 to 50 meters high, with the larger ones at the center. They are called Chocolate Hills because the hills’ grass dries up and turns brown at the end of the dry season. This transforms the area into rows and rows of “chocolate kisses”. They are included in the Philippine Tourism Authority’s list of tourist destinations in the Philippines.
Overview
These extraordinary hills have baffled geologists since their discovery. There are at least 1,260 hills but there may be as many as 1,776 hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers (20 sq mi). They are covered in green grass that turns brown (like chocolate) in the dry season, hence the name. The Chocolate Hills are a famous tourist attraction of Bohol. They are featured in the provincial flag and seal to symbolize the abundance of natural attractions in the province. They are in the Philippine Tourism Authority’s list of tourist destinations in the Philippines; they have been declared the country’s third National Geological Monument and proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. A complex geological formation, the hills are made of limestone, this is what geologists suspect which has been covered with grass.
Geological Formation of the Hills
The Chocolate Hills consist of around 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills. They are not too large, they are usually not more than 100-200 meters in height. They are covered with grass, which at the end of the dry season, turns chocolate brown. From this color, the hills derive their name. They are spread out across an area of more than 50 square kilometers. In a recent study, it has been established that these hills are weathered formations of a type of limestone that lies beneath the hills. A possible explanation of the formation of the Chocolate Hills is this: they were formed ages ago by the uplift of coral deposits and the action of rainwater and erosion. Scientists say that their unique shape is caused by the way the water flows during the rainy season. Because the water flows down the sides of the hills, it washes away the soil and carries it to the rivers and the seas. Others are of the thought that the hills are the result of limestone weathering and erosion. The layers of the hills represent a period of alternating erosion and deposition. A more prevailing theory is that of a geologist who says that the conical shapes originated from a conical karst. A karst is a type of irregular limestone terrain that is characterized by sinkholes, caves, and underground streams. A conical karst occurs when a subterranean cave ceiling collapses. This, of course, is just a theory, and much study is needed to determine the exact process of formation.
Significance of the Chocolate Hills
The significance of the Chocolate Hills is complex and it is valued at many levels. There are a number of stakeholders who have an interest in the Chocolate Hills and some are in disagreement with how the resource should be managed. Primarily, the significance of the Chocolate Hills stems from the tourism industry. Each year, thousands of tourists visit the site, not just to see the hills, but to participate in the ecotourism activities offered. This results in a significant economic benefit for local businesses and the wider Bohol community. Souvenirs are sold, guiding services are in demand, and there are also accommodation and eating facilities for tourists. This rapid industry represents a change in resource use as it was only in the 18th century that the hills were used for mining activities. Today, it is recognized that they are of far greater worth with the industry still in expansion. This change in industry has raised great debate over how the resource of the Chocolate Hills should be managed. Tourists today no longer see the mining tracks of previous mines as mining has greatly diminished. In 1988, the Chocolate Hills were declared a National Geotourism site with no further extraction activity. This rings significant with the tourist sector as it acknowledges that the resource shall be preserved as it is of greater worth in its natural state, rather than being further exploited.
The Chocolate Hills are thought to be formed from weathering prior to the uplift of the sea floor and are made from limestone bedrock. Over the years, erosion and settling of the landscape have created the hills as they are known today. There are 1300 hills spread over 50 square kilometres, but there are as many as 2000 hills in total. It is said that the hills are called Chocolate Hills because they resemble Hershey’s Kisses, but they are called Chocolate Hills because during the dry season, the numerous hills dry up and turn brown.
